by Amy Denney

Created on: November 12, 2007

As more and more puppy mills are being found and shut down across the country, the general public is becoming aware of the problem. We are starting to see news stories on the T.V. showing three or four filthy, matted dogs shoved into a tiny wire cage barking and pleading to get out. These cages are just piled one on top of another and they are all full.

Like many people, I am a dog lover. I have had different dogs my whole life. My house does not feel like a home unless it includes a dog. Yet, honestly I did not know much about puppy mills until very recently. Whenever one of our beloved pets passed away and we were ready to get another dog, we would get one out of the paper, from a friend or neighbor or from the local pound. I never thought much about it. Well, in preparation for searching for our new dog, I looked on the Internet. I learned so much. The different websites depicting puppy mills and the lives that these poor miserable dogs led was just unbelievably sad.

I have listed below some tips I learned on how to tell a good breeder from a puppy mill.

1. A good breeder usually only raises one specific breed of dog. They truly love the breed and are raising them only to better the breed.

A puppy mill will have many different breeds. They are only raising the puppies to sell. They only care about the money and not the dogs.

2. A good breeder will insist on meeting the perspective owners. They invite you to their home so that you can see the puppies, how they live and see the puppies parents.

A puppy mill owner will usually not let you enter the premises where they breed their dogs. They will make arrangements to meet you somewhere to make the transaction or will send them to you.

3. A good breeder usually has a list of buyers before the puppies are even born. They require references from vets, etc. They truly care about the home their puppy is going to.

A puppy mill owner does not care what you are buying the puppy for or if you are going to provide it a good home. There are usually no questions asked.

4. A good breeder will not sell a puppy before it is at least 8 weeks old. They want to make sure they have stayed with their mother long enough and also are able to start them on their shot schedule.

A puppy mill owner will sell a puppy at six weeks or younger. They have not had any shots and have never even seen a vet.

5. A good breeder will insist on the perspective buyer signing a contract usually stating that the puppy will be spayed/neutered unless it is going to be a show dog. Also, they will state in the contract that if for some reason you can not keep the dog at any age, you will let the breeder know so they can either take the dog back or help find a new home for it.

A puppy mill owner will not have a contract. You give them the money and you have the puppy.

6. A good breeder will want to be contacted if the puppy should become ill or diagnosed with a genetic disease. Good breeders provide health certificates on their puppies.

A puppy mill owner will not be able to provide a health certificate.

I think the best way that a perspective dog owner can guarantee getting a healthy, emotionally stable dog from a reputable breeder is to insist on seeing the premises and the parents from where your puppy is coming from. Do not get a puppy from a pet store or flea market. A good breeder will not have a problem with you seeing where and how their dogs are raised. Ask a lot of questions.

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