Dog Breeders: Are You Getting What You Pay For?

A year after they were married, Amanda and Tom, ato be assured that you have your landlord's approval.)
professional couple, moved from the city to theHow much exercise you are prepared to offer the
suburbs.  They rented a cute little cape-style housedog?  Where will the dog live?
with a good-sized backyard in a residentialHow much time will be you be able to devote
neighborhood that was close enough to the city torealistically to companionship, training, play activities and
allow them to commute to their jobs.  For the firstsocialization?
time in their lives, they had their very own house, butAre you aware of and prepared to meet the cost of
something was missing... they wanted a dog.feeding, veterinarian visits, grooming, etc. that the dog
With their landlord's consent and a dog in mind, theywill require?
invested in a tall privacy fence for their backyard. As important as these questions are, what the
Now all they needed was a dog romping in the yard tobreeder really wants to see is a warm, caring, fair and
complete their idyllic picture.  They spent endlesseven-tempered person who has realistic expectations
hours discussing breeds, personality types andof what is required to provide a happy life for the
desirable size and regaling each other with stories ofpuppy.
the dogs from their childhood.Commercial breeders - Commercial breeders are
They did their homework, reading as much as theymotivated by money.  Breeding and selling dogs is a
could on the breeds they both liked and in the end,business.  Most commercial breeders sell to brokers,
agreed that a Newfoundland was what theymiddle men who move puppies from commercial
wanted.  They contacted a reputable breeder, visitedbreeders to retail stores.  Under the Animal Welfare
the breeder's premises and learned that a litter wasAct (AWA) passed by Congress in 1966-and
due any day, met the expectant female, examined theamended in 1970, 1976, 1985, and 1990-the United
documented blood line, played with some of the otherStates Department of Agriculture (USDA) licenses and
dogs before departing and made plans to return wheninspects commercial breeders to ascertain adherence
the puppies were old enough for new homes.to minimum standards of housing and care. These
Little Bear arrived at her new home when she wasstandards require a minimum amount of space for
three months old.  Over the months that followed,each dog, clean shelter conditions, fresh water every
Amanda and Tom spent hours trying to teach Bear all24 hours, proper kennel drainage and sanitation
the niceties of dog behavior, but by the end of Bear'sprocedures, a feeding program and appropriate
first year, housebreaking was the only lesson she hadveterinarian care.  Additionally, some states license
learned.  They were loving parents, but they finallyand inspect the kennels of commercial breeders. 
had to face the fact that their lifestyle was at oddsDespite these protections, not all commercial breeders
with the best living arrangement for Bear.  Sheare responsible breeders. Further, commercial
needed more companionship, more exercise, and quitebreeders, that sell puppies directly to the public as
possibly a professional trainer. Bear's owners realizedopposed to through a puppy broker, are not covered
that she was being short changed and they felt guiltyby the AWA.  Unregulated and unlicensed breeders
for having failed her.are generally unscrupulous and inclined to ignore such
They contacted Bear's breeder-who had made thembreeding standards as screening for genetic defects,
promise when they purchased Bear to return the dogbreed resemblance or temperament.  Kennel
to her if things didn't work out-and shared theirconditions can range from acceptable to deplorable. 
concerns.  The breeder found Bear a new and lovingNever buy a puppy directly from a commercial
home with a family that already owned severalbreeder.
Newfies.  The owner was a professional dog trainer,It is worth noting that retail puppy store owners and
he had a large farm, and best of all, there was a largeemployees never inquire about a buyer's ability or
pond on the farm where Bear could do what she likeddesire to properly care for a puppy because their
best, swim.motive is strictly monetary; they will sell puppies to
Purchasing Through a Qualified Breeder vs. a Petanyone who can afford the price.  Such lack of
Storeconcern should give prospective buyers pause.
The young couple just described is not unlike manyPuppy Mills
others who buy the dog of their dreams only toWe have all heard about puppy mills, even though
discover, for a variety of reasons, that their choice isneither the Animal Welfare Act nor the American
not a good fit.  Intelligent and caring owners do whatKennel Club defines these kennels.  However the
Amanda and Tom did, contact their breeder forASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of
assistance in finding a new home for their pet, but tooCruelty to Animals), an organization that works
many people, especially those who purchase dogs attirelessly to protect animals of all kinds from cruelty, is
pet stores, do not know where to turn when they findmuch more vocal on the subject.  It defines puppy
they have made a mistake.mills as large scale commercial operations "where
If you purchase a dog through a pet store, you mustprofit is given priority over the well-being of the dogs."
do so knowing that the dog is entirely yourDogs in puppy mills are housed in overcrowded and
responsibility for life.  Turning a dog over to a shelter,unsanitary conditions, often in wire cages that cause
while preferable to abandonment, should never bedamage to legs and paws.  There is little or no
considered an option.veterinarian care. Food and water tend to be
It is probably safe to say that all prospective petinadequate and there are no opportunities for the
owners anticipate living happily ever after with the dogpuppies to become socialized before they are shipped
that they buy; however, as history shows us, this is notto pet stores, often as early as eight weeks of
always the case.  While not all breeders will agree toage-too young to be pulled away from their litters. 
assist you in finding a second home for your dog if thisFemales are bred at every opportunity with little or no
becomes necessary, no pet stores provide thisrecovery time between litters and may spend every
service.  If the breeder you select will allow you today of their lives in cages.  When parents can no
return the dog or assist you in finding a new home forlonger breed, they are often killed as are puppies born
your dog should this become necessary, purchasingwith obvious deformities because they cannot be
your pet directly from a breeder becomes a wisersold.  There is no attention to selective breeding to
course of action than selecting one from a pet store. Inprevent genetic diseases.  According to the ASPCA,
either case, be it breeder or pet store, do not expect apuppy mill dogs are prone to diseases like:
refund beyond the standard new purchase guarantee.Epilepsy
Qualified BreedersHeart disease
There are two types of breeders: hobby breedersKidney disease
and commercial breeders.Musculoskeletal disorders (hip dysplasia, luxating
Hobby breeders - Hobby breeders pursue their interestpatellas, etc.)
in a particular breed or more than one breed solely outEndocrine disorders (diabetes, hyperthyroidism)
of concern for the breed(s) of their choice.  MakingBlood disorders (anemia, Von Willebrand disease)
money is not the goal of the hobby breeder; rather, theDeafness
breeder's concern lies with preserving and protectingEye problems (cataracts, glaucoma, progressive retinal
their breed preference.  In the course of indulging theiratrophy, etc.)
hobby, these breeders follow a specific breedingRespiratory disorders
program designed to enhance and maintain theIt is not unusual for puppy mill dogs to be shipped to
integrity of their chosen breed; therefore, they limit thepet stores with other diseases as well.  The ASPCA
number of litters per year choosing to breed only asreports the following most commonly seen diseases:
necessary to enhance the breed itself and the overallGiardia
breeding program they have established.  A reputableParvovirus
hobbyist will provide puppies with human contact andDistemper
environmental stimulation, raise puppies in their ownUpper respiratory infections
home or alternatively, in a small, clean kennel and workKennel cough
to place puppies in the best possible homes. Pneumonia
Additionally, hobby breeders screen the dogs theyMange
breed to perpetuate healthy dogs by eliminatingFleas
hereditary defects and they usually belong to or workTicks
with a local breed or kennel club to increase theirIntestinal parasites
knowledge and share their love of the breed withHeartworm
others.Chronic diarrhea
When you visit a hobby breeder with the hope ofThe ASPCA warns consumers not to purchase
purchasing a puppy, it is not uncommon to discoverpuppies in pet stores or through retail websites
that you are not the only one with questions.  Hobbybecause such purchases contribute to the support of
breeders, in an effort to find the very best homes forpuppy mills.
their puppies, will ask prospective buyers a number ofAdding a puppy to your family is a big step for both
questions in an attempt to assess the prospectiveyou and your puppy.  Don't risk disappointment and
owner's willingness and ability to provide the things thatpossible tragedy by making an uninformed choice. 
a puppy needs to grow into a happy, healthy pet.  BeBuy from a hobby breeder, not a pet store, and learn
prepared to answer questions similar to these:all you can about your breed preference before you
What is your past experience with dogs?begin visiting breeders.  A puppy is not a disposable
Who will the dog live with?toy; it is a life-long commitment.  If you make an
Do you have other pets?intelligent choice and provide your puppy with all the
Are there any limitations on pets in the community iningredients of a happy, healthy life you will be repaid
which you reside?tenfold-the reason a dog is considered man's best
Do you rent or own your own home?   (In the casefriend.
of a rented home or apartment, the breeder will want