Pet shops, Puppy Mills & Backyard Breeders

When I started our puppy search I did a lot of research on how to pick a responsible breeder.  Until I started this research I had no idea how hard it was to find a good breeder that was not just a backyard breeder trying to make as much money as possible with no regard for the health of their dogs. 
I wanted to write about this on my blog because I have noticed through my research, message boards, and groups on facebook that puppy mills and backyard breeders are very common and many people unfortunately purchase puppies from these sources without knowing. 

The following is a definition of puppy mills by the CKC:

The Canadian Kennel Club Policy Statement – Definition of a Puppy Mill
(Effective March 2002)

"The term “Puppy Mill” generally refers to a high-volume, sub-standard dog-breeding operation, which sells purebred or mixed breed dogs, directly or indirectly to unsuspecting buyers. Some of the characteristics common to puppy mills are:
(a) Sub-standard health and/or environmental issues;
(b) Sub-standard animal care, treatment and/or socialization;
(c) Sub-standard breeding practices which lead to genetic defects or hereditary disorders;
(d) Erroneous or falsified certificates of registration, pedigrees and/or genetic background.

Note: These conditions may also exist in small volume or single breed establishments."

Dogs from puppy mills are bred only for profit.  The people involved in the puppy mill are only concerned with making money.  When I googled puppy mills some really disgusting pictures appeared and I could not believe it.  These pictures showed extremely malnourished, diseased animals that are continously bred over and over.  It was shocking!  I could not and still can't believe that people in this world could treat animals like that.  No Puppy Mills Canada (2001) states that the puppy mills often us "Farms" or "Kennels" in their business name.

LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PUPPY MILLS:
http://www.nopuppymillscanada.ca/mill.htm
http://shutdownpuppymills.ca/
http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/puppy_mills/

Then there are backyard breeders.  The difference between backyard breeders and puppy mills is that backyard breeders are smaller.  Backyard breeders often do not screen buyers and will sell to anyone.  They also have no concern or understanding of genetics, pedigree bloodlines or breed improvement.  The puppies could be inbred and/or have genetic problems.  Backyard breeders often do not have much knowledge on the breed or their known health problems.  Dogs/puppies are often living in substandard conditions.  Backyard breeders breed for profit and do not practice adequate standards of care. 
LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION ON BACKYARD BREEDERS:
http://www.nopuppymillscanada.ca/byb.htm or http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_breedersandpetshops.php
http://www.nopuppymillscanada.ca/byb_vs_rp.pdf
Please do not buy any pets from pet stores!!!  Pet stores often purchase their puppies from puppy mills and backyard breeders.  Pet stores do not offer any kind of health guarantee, you cannot meet the parents, and you have no idea if they actually are purebred.  I'm not judging anyone who has purchased a puppy from a pet store because you probably didn't know a lot of this information.  I was completely overwhelmed when I was searching for a reputable breeder so I want to help other people who are going through what I went through.

Reputable Breeders:
- Do not sell their puppies to or through pet stores
-Allow you to meet the parents of the puppies
-Allow you to see where their dogs and puppies are living
-Do not breed/sell many different breeds of dogs
-Screen people they sell to and ensure the puppy is going to a great home
-Have extensive knowledge on the breed, their history, confirmation, temperament, etc.
-Do genetic and health testing of parents to ensure they are bettering the breed
-Answer all your questions
-Should test for OFA, CERF, BAER etc
-Provide health guarantees
-State in their contract that if you can no longer keep the dog that you will return the dog to them
-Spay/neuter requirement in the purchase contract
-Breed dogs only after they are 2 years of age
-Do not allow puppy to leave it's mother until the puppy is at least 8 weeks but it is often recommended between 10-12 weeks of age
-Provide references
-Allows you to contact their vet to talk to them about the health of the parents etc.

When you contact a breeder make sure to ask the following questions:

1) Do they offer health guarantees?
2) What genetic and health testing do they perform on parents and the puppies?
3) Where are the dogs/puppies kept and can you see where they are kept?
4) Can you meet the parents?  Sometimes it is not possible to meet the father because it was a stud but the breeder should have all health and genetic testing information on the father available for you to see.
5) What are the details of the contract?
6) Are the parents and puppies registered?
7) Will the breeder offer you any support after you purchase the puppy? ie. Answer questions if something comes up or you need help with behaviour problems etc.  The answer should always be YES!!  Most breeders want you to keep in touch so they can hear how the puppy is doing and want you to call if you have any problems.
8) Can the breeder provide references?  Will the breeder let you contact their vet?

I asked my breeder all these questions and she was actually very happy that I asked them.  It showed her that I was a responsible pet owner who really cared about where I purchased my puppy.  She saw that I had done a lot of research.  She actually told me that she wished more people were as prepared with questions as I was.  When you find a good breeder they will be more than willing to answer all these questions.  Our breeder answers all our questions and has told us that she will always be here for support if we have any questions or concerns and that she would love for us to keep in touch with her. 

If you are thinking of purchasing a puppy please do research to ensure you purchase from a reputable breeder and that you are prepared for a puppy.  Ensure that you have the time, money, and patience to take care of a puppy.  They are lots of work and require a lifetime committment.  A puppy isn't something you can give away when you get bored with him/her, decide you do not have enough time for them, or can't afford them.  Puppies can be VERY expensive so ensure that you can afford it.

Here are some more links that are very helpful and informative!!!
Responsible Breeders - http://www.nopuppymillscanada.ca/NPMC%20Reputable%20Responsible%20Breeder.pdf
Why you should spay/neuter - http://www.nopuppymillscanada.ca/sn.htm
What is responsible dog ownership - http://www.nopuppymillscanada.ca/Responsible.pdf
Puppy Mill - http://www.annarbor.com/pets/pets-dogs-puppy-mills-allegan-michigan-pam-sordyl-how-to-avoid-report/
http://www.globalanimal.org/2012/04/11/300-dogs-rescued-from-kalamazoo-puppy-mill/72078/
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2012/04/readers_respond_to_plight_of_3.html
http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/puppy_mills/
http://www.prisonersofgreed.org/Commercial-kennel-facts.html