Designer Dogs And Pet Store Puppies.

Chance and Mr. Puppy say, "Don't buy from a pet store, they sell puppy mill puppies and mixing breeds brings out the worst of both breeds."

I have been cruising the Internet and found a site for "puppies for sale" in the Ashland/Huntington area. I was dismayed to see the number of "designer" puppies for sale on this site. Also, there were many people looking to buy these dogs, because they looked "sooo cute." Buying a dog because it is cute is a really, really bad idea. You need to research very carefully when purchasing a puppy.

In the Herald Dispatch opinion section today, a lady wrote about a puppy she bought from a retail store that was sick. I wish she had read my blog. I have many, many posts on why not to buy a puppy from a pet store. I am sure I know the one she is talking about, but for legal reasons, I am not going to mention it. Pet stores have what is called "Pet store doublespeak."

From what I read in the letter to the editor, the lady's puppy survived. She is very, very lucky. I will continue to speak out against "designer" dogs and buying a dog from a pet store. If you want to ensure you are getting a healthy puppy, never buy a dog from a pet store, through a classified ad either in the physical paper or off a classified ad on the Internet. Any reputable breeder never sells through these means. You need to see both the parents or if both are not on site, contact the owner of the parent dog that is not available to view and talk to the owner of that dog.

But, I advocate getting a dog from a shelter, as they have many purebred dogs, and there are many, many breed rescues out there. And, let it be known, that these places will not place a dog with special needs to just anyone.

Pet Store Activism.

source: Humane Society of the United States

We have pet stores in the Tri-State area that are selling puppies. Most likely, they are from a puppy mill. Here are some ways to identify if they are selling dogs from a puppy mill.

Try to identify the breeders. In most states, pet stores are not required to give out information identifying their breeders. When approaching a pet store to get information on the puppies they sell, be calm and polite. Being rude and demanding will get you absolutely nowhere. Go to the store at a calm, quiet time of the day. Look around for awhile and then discretely inquire about the cute puppies and where they come from. Most likely, you will be told they come from a private breeder, or USDA licensed breeders.

Find a specific puppy or two, and ask, again, politely, to see the paperwork so you can learn more about the puppy. Ask the name, and general location of the breeder. Write down the name, city and state of the breeder(s) you have identified.

Start you research with the info you have gathered. Find out if the breeder(s) are licensed with the United States Dept. of Agriculture's Animal Care Division. You can actually call the USDA/APHIS headquarters for assistance at 301-734-7833. You can also contact the HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) for further help if needed at http://www.hsus.org/ and look for the contact tag. You can also acquire inspection reports on the breeders. The USDA publishes some inspection reports on their website, but only a few. Also, you can submit a Freedom of Information Act request to find out more. You can fax your requests to USDA/APHIS at 301-734-5941.

If the breeder(s) is not licensed by the USDA, see if they are licensed and inspected by your state. Some states, the USDA inspects kennels or breeders. In states such as PA and MO that have such programs, you may be able to request copies of the state inspection reports in addition to the USDA's. Also, do an internet search on the breeder(s) or pet store. Also, you can contact the Better Business Bureau to see if they have had any complaints about the store or the puppies. Your local shelter or Humane Society can tell you, too.

And, last but not least, gather information from individuals who may have purchased sick puppies at the store you are getting information about. If you happen to represent an organization, you may want to talk with your local shelter and see if they are willing to refer complainants to you. Then ask the complainants to fill out the Breeder Complaint Form on www.humanesociety.org/puppymills. You can also print out copies of the forms and give them to the complainants.

I am sure I will have some people say this is under-handed and sneaky. It might seem that way, but it is perfectly legal and you may save lives. Share your results with your local investigative reporter and pitch the story to them. But, contact only one reporter at a time. Reporters will not respond to an inquiry if it has been copied and sent to multiple outlets.

Questions To Ask When Looking For A Breeder.

source: yahoo answers

If you can't find the dog you want at your local shelter or breed rescue, then here are some questions you can use to determine if a breeder is truly responsible:

1. Is he/she an AKC registered breeder of good standing and an active member of his/her breed Parent Club?

2. Are there AKC Champions listed on the pedigree, showing that the breeder spends her time & money to prove the quality of his/her breeding stock through competition?

3. Are all the animals kept in clean, comfortable, healthy, loving circumstances?

4. Did the breeder conduct extensive interviews with you and every member of your family?

5. Have the sire & dam received all available health clearances, (eg. OFA Hip & Eye, Thyroid testing, THESE VARY FOR EACH BREED)

6. Is he/she willing to honestly discuss any possible genetic defects that may exist in her line?

7. Does he/she have a Sales Contract?

8. Does the contract contain a clause stipulating that you spay or neuter the puppy before it reaches a certain age?

9. Does the contract contain a clause stating that if at any time in the puppy's life, you can no longer care for it, it must be returned to the breeder? (This ensures that no animal bred by this breeder will ever end up in a shelter).

10. Will the breeder maintain contact with you for the life of the puppy to answer questions and help in general?

These are questions that are very important. I have stated over and over in posts on this blog about the importance of researching a breeder before buying. Remember, no responsible breeder sells to a pet store, flea market, Internet or classifieds.

Puppy Boot Camp.

Parenting your puppy: Owning a puppy is great fun but there are also great responsibilities. I will look at the ways in which you can best care for your puppy and how you can be a responsible puppy owner. Like all worthwhile things in life, owning a puppy involves responsibilities as well as pleasures. The pleasures are obvious and the responsibilities need to be considered. Your responsibilities are not just to your puppy but also to other people and the environment.


Training: A well-trained and disciplined pup is an asset to his owner, so make sure he receives at least some basic obedience training. A puppy that is taught a few simple rules will become a well-adjusted and well-behaved family pet. Similar to children, you can teach puppies manners and the rules of the household. From the time you bring your new puppy home, teach him not to bite – even in play. Also, teach him that unnecessary barking is not allowed. Always make your puppy obeys the command “Sit” before being petted or fed.


The key to training your pup is to realize that he really does want to please you. Praise and reward your puppy for appropriate behaviour and use a stern “No” when you wish to correct his behavior. As your puppy grows you should seek assistance with more formal training. Contact your local obedience club for details about their training classes. Joining such a club is inexpensive and not only provides instruction on training your puppy to obey basic commands such as stay, down and come, but a training club also allows your puppy to socialize with other dogs. Training will make your puppy a more pleasurable companion and it may also one day save his life.

Grooming: Regular grooming is necessary to keep your puppy looking and feeling his best. Puppies that are naturally longhaired or densely coated require brushing more frequently than shorthaired puppies. Some breeds require regular professional clipping. Puppies should be accustomed to being brushed and combed from an early age. Your veterinarian can assist with cutting your puppy’s nails and cleaning his teeth, or can show you how to do it yourself.


It is your responsibility to make sure that your puppy is vaccinated, wormed, de-fleaed and given regular health checks. If you are not planning to breed your puppy it is advisable to have him/her spayed or neutered by the age of six months, as this can help him/her live longer and cut down on future health problems.

Neighborhood friendly puppy: Puppies that are allowed to bark excessively disturb the neighborhood, and neighbors will be unlikely to investigate a disturbance should anything agitate your pup. Constant barking can often be a sign of boredom. As a rule, puppies need regular physical and mental stimulation.


When walking your puppy, always keep him leashed and observe all local regulations. Comply with the canine registration regulations, and be sure that your pup wears his registration tag and identification at all times. He should never be allowed to wander or roam. The consequences can be severe, ranging from a fine from your local government to your puppy becoming lost or even injured or killed by a motor vehicle. As a responsible puppy owner you must ensure that your pup does not soil parks, gardens, beaches or streets. Give your puppy every opportunity to relieve himself in his own yard before being taken for a walk.


Accidents may happen from time to time and it is your responsibility to be prepared by carrying plastic bags or commercially available “pooper-scoopers” to clean up and dispose of the mess. Prevention: Unfortunately, puppies sometimes do get lost. You can help prevent this by making sure your puppy always wears a collar and an identification tag with your telephone number. Get your puppy microchipped as a further precaution against losing him. Your veterinarian can do this for you.


Confine your puppy during thunderstorms and firework displays. If he does get lost, check with your neighbors, your local veterinary clinics, shelters and other animal welfare organizations. Check with these organizations in the neighboring areas as well, as lost animals may travel some distance. If you are planning a holiday, you will need to consider how best to care for your puppy while you are absent from home. Your veterinarian may be able to recommend a reputable kennel. You should make arrangements well in advance if you intend to board your puppy during common holiday periods. His vaccinations will need to be up-to-date. If you are only absent for a few days you may be able to arrange for a neighbor or a home feeding service to visit and feed your puppy.


Never leave your puppy in the car, as cars can become very hot, even on moderately warm days, and he could die from heat exhaustion. By making sure that your puppy is well looked after, well-behaved and that you respect other people’s wishes, you are acting as a responsible puppy parent. This will not only benefit you and your puppy, but you are doing your bit for the reputation of other dog and puppy owners as well.