Puppy mills and backyard breeders
Are you looking for a puppy? Beware of puppy mills and backyard breeders, who breed dogs in large numbers without caring for their health or happiness. They may pretend to be reputable breeders, but they actually keep their dogs in terrible conditions and sell them through dishonest means. In this article, we will reveal the truth about these practices, and how to avoid them. We will also give you tips on how to find a good breeder who can offer you a healthy and happy puppy.
Puppy mills and backyard breeders are a serious problem for dogs and their new owners. These are people who breed dogs without regard for their health, welfare, or temperament, and only care about making money from selling puppies. They often deceive buyers by claiming that they are reputable breeders who follow ethical standards and provide quality dogs. However, the reality is far from the truth.
One of the ways that puppy mills and backyard breeders trick buyers is by breeding puppies with a pedigree, doing the necessary health examinations, and being organized in breeders’ clubs. They may even have websites or social media pages where they showcase their dogs and puppies, and give the impression that they are professional and responsible. However, these are only superficial signs that do not reflect the actual conditions of the dogs or the puppies.
The main problem with puppy mills and backyard breeders is that they raise a huge number of puppies that do not have time to socialize and educate. Socialization and education are crucial for puppies to develop into well-adjusted and happy dogs. They need to be exposed to different people, animals, environments, sounds, and situations from an early age, and learn how to behave appropriately and confidently. Without proper socialization and education, puppies can grow up to be fearful, aggressive, anxious, or destructive.
Puppy mills and backyard breeders do not provide adequate socialization and education for their puppies because they have too many dogs to take care of. They often keep their dogs in cages or kennels, or let them roam freely in the yard without supervision. They do not interact with them regularly, play with them, train them, or give them affection. They do not take them to the vet, groom them, or provide them with toys or enrichment. They treat them as products rather than as living beings.
Another problem with puppy mills and backyard breeders is that they have a huge number of adult dogs that they do not have time to devote to. These dogs only serve to produce puppies, and are often neglected and abused. They live only in the yard in a pack, where they have to compete for food, water, shelter, and attention. They have no contact with external stimuli and are unhappy. They may suffer from diseases, injuries, parasites, or genetic defects that are not treated or prevented. They may also develop behavioral problems such as aggression, fearfulness, or compulsive behaviors.
The only goal of puppy mills and backyard breeders is profit from puppies at the expense of the dogs’ happiness. They do not care about the quality of life of their dogs or the satisfaction of their customers. They often sell their puppies online or through dog dealers for commission, where they can avoid meeting the buyers in person or showing them the conditions of their facilities. This means that dog dealers act as brokers who find buyers for their surplus puppies, and then receive a percentage of the sale price. This practice creates a network of cruelty and deception, where puppies are shuffled from one facility to another, without any regard for their well-being or quality of life. They may also falsify documents or lie about the health or history of their dogs. They do not offer any guarantees or support after the sale. By buying puppies from dog dealers or other puppy mills and backyard breeders, you are supporting a cruel industry that harms dogs and their new owners. You are also risking getting a sick or behaviorally challenged puppy that may cost you a lot of money and heartache in the long run. The best way to avoid these pitfalls is to find a reputable breeder who can provide you with a healthy and happy puppy.
Puppy mills and backyard breeders have unethical and cruel practices that should be avoided by anyone who loves dogs and wants to own one. The best way to find a good dog is to do your research and find a reputable breeder who cares about their dogs and their customers. A reputable breeder will:
- Breed only a few litters per year
- Breed only healthy and temperamentally sound dogs
- Provide proper socialization and education for their puppies
- Keep their dogs in clean and comfortable conditions
- Interact with their dogs regularly and lovingly
- Provide veterinary care and grooming for their dogs
- Provide documentation and records for their dogs
- Meet the buyers in person and show them their facilities
- Ask questions and screen the buyers for suitability
- Offer guarantee and support after the sale
By choosing a reputable breeder over a puppy mill or a backyard breeder, you will not only get a healthy and happy dog, but also help end the suffering of thousands of dogs who are exploited by these practices.