Comment for breeders.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

Ok I may be idealistic but I personally have a problem with breeders who treat pups like livestock. I know some breeders have farms/acreages and whelp the puppies in barns or whelping shacks where the puppy continues to live until it is adopted. Now in the case the puppy isnt adopted until it is several months old it roams the land like a wild sheep with no house manners whatsoever?! I would not want to adopt a dog like that for fear it would be near ferel and not well socialized. Like taking a sheep or something home to live.Thats why I looked for a breeder that house raised the puppies and they were treated like pets. (Yes I verified this) These are pups not sheep. I love to see breeders that only pre-sell puppies so there are no 'leftovers' so to speak. But if there are extras they arent kept in an open barn left to wander the back 40 like livestock.

I would like to hear any comments or justifications regarding farming dogs. Just a footnote: I am talking certain Canadian breeders I have seen on websites, I am not referring to any breeder on this board because I dont know any of you - just like to hear what you have to say about this.

[Jeannine]

Thumb up for you Joy!

[Lorraine Bromley]

I think that this has been a good discussion. This is the type of information I was interested in when I was searching for a golden doodle too.' This will definetly help others on the site to decide what type of breeder they were also interested in. It is too bad that the only "farm" breeder discussed was Lavina at Burkhardts. I would have been interested to hear if there had been others.
The perception in this area is also anti-mennonite breeders and to put that onto a farm too was not that appealing to us. If we had not had other activities on the way to and from her place we would never have even stopped in. I was just about to the point of expanding my search farther away from our home and maybe another year away to make time to envelope another search area. I am glad we did. I do think that the perception of farm breeders neeeds to be evaluated seriously as there are those that do livestock operations. If only all owners looked into their pets before falling in love with that picture or those kisses.
Thanks

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think it's important to note that the Burkhart's website says that they do testing on all their breeding dogs. No matter how nice the people, children or dogs may be, how clean the kennels or home, there is no other factor as important as that one in choosing a breeder. And always get the test results in writing.

[Joy Originator of GiantSchnoodles]

& check that they are posted on offa.org

[Kathy Wilson]

Lynne, that's so sad that so many dogs are in shelters, doodles as well as other dogs. I hate this and wish I could adopt one or more. If I had a good size property, I'd definitely adopt one or two. That said, I have a question. Why is it good to adopt a puppy mill dog, but not okay to buy it from the cretin who bred the dog? PLEASE, I am not trying to fight, I really want to know what you and the others here have to say. The person I'm purchasing my puppy from also has a rescue labradoodle and he's wonderful, but the idea of adopting a dog with questionable background would scare me to death. I have sufficient funds to pay reasonable vet bills, but if there were ongoing, major problems, I'd have to have the poor dog put down. I found a breeder who shares my beliefs about dog rearing and he has also generously been willing to educate me further. He is trusting me with a breeding female, so yes, I will be a breeder in a couple to three years also. Why? I want to provide at least one pup per breeding to a guide dog or service dog organization. I won't be getting my little girl until October and I am happy about this due to the fact that I need to get my home ready and further educate myself about being a better caregiver to my little one.
Also, I want to train with my dog to be a therapy team. I'm a teacher and want to go into special education and have her with me as much as possible. Todd of Canadian Chocolate Labradoodles has been so encouraging. Why would I breed more dogs? To be a part of bettering the breed, to provide excellent doodles to those who need them, and perhaps to sell a few to cover some of the expenses.
Please understand that I am in no way trying to start a battle here. Just some questions and an explanation or two. Bless you for taking care of dogs in need of homes.
Sincerely, Kathy

[Adina P]

Not lynne, but if you don't mind my answer too.
If you buy a puppy mill dog FROM a puppy mill...in essence you would be supporting the puppy mill, giving a "kudos" to the business, and rewarding the mill, increasing the chances they will continue what they are doing. It's not about whether the PUPPY is valuable (as I'm sure we all believe every dog has value as a living, breathing creature), but the method of obtaining the puppy and what is being supported in the process is the issue.

Adopting a puppy mill puppy from rescue doesn't support any mills, it merely offers a home to a dog that doesn't have one. I don't think Lynne is saying ALL people should ONLY adopt from rescue/shelters, but trying to educate on the fact there ARE lots of potentially GREAT doodles (pups and adults) who need homes and she wants people to consider these dogs before buying a dog from a breeder because she has a passion for dogs in need.

So yeah....Paying a mill for a puppy supports the mill and says "Hey, what you do is cool with me!" Adopting a puppy mill pup from rescue says "I want to help a dog in need without supporting unethical breeding."

Adopting a dog with an unknown health background is a RISK. So it's not for everyone. You are not better or worse for buying...it's a personal choice.

[Joy Originator of GiantSchnoodles]

HI Kathy, I agree with Adina on the puppy mill purchase issue. I do both. I breed(not right now in this ecoomy) & I do rescue. I get some really wonderful rescues. They get placed in forever homes & everyone has a happy outcome. However, for you & those who can afford it, I would recommend that you get my carefully bred, genetically tested, highly researched, intentionally bred genetically engineered Giant Schnoodles, or a doodle equally as well tested. You have stated that is what you need to feel comfortable with in your family. It can cause you a lot lessangst & cost you a lot less money down the road because the possibilities for genetically based diseases are vastly reduced. Puppy love from Joy & furry folk

[Kathy Wilson]

Adina and Joy, I totally agree with you and I'm sorry I failed, in my early morning haze, to mention that I am TOTALLY against puppy mills. They NEED to be eliminated. The only issue regarding adopting a puppy mill dog from rescue is it's uncertain future. Thankyou, Adina and Joy.

Joy, thankyou so much for the offer of purchasing a puppy from you. I'd love to meet you sometime soon, but I've already put a deposit on a puppy from Canadian Chocolate Labradoodles, another excellent breeder. He's home based, has two labradoodles....one a rescue, and has excellent references.

Lynne, I make no apologies for buying from a superior breeder. My motives are pure.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Adina said it best, "I don't think Lynne is saying ALL people should ONLY adopt from rescue/shelters, but trying to educate on the fact there ARE lots of potentially GREAT doodles (pups and adults) who need homes and she wants people to consider these dogs before buying a dog from a breeder because she has a passion for dogs in need."

Bringing another litter of doodles into an uncertain future and economy was why I was mmmmm... chomping at the bit, but refrained, NOT that you have chosen a "superior" breeder. Using a good breeder who loves and cares for their dogs and their litters and where and what happens to those dogs is always applauded by me and my group. I am trying to be a "good citizen" of DK and not be unfeeling to other's but it is a big issue we have lately. I think I restrained myself well. LOL Pat on back to all.

[Joy Originator of GiantSchnoodles]

Oops, Sorry, if it didn't come clear. I'm not breeding right now. I don't have any puppies. I may breed again when the economy improves, so it may be awhile. Puppy love from Joy & furry folk

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

mmmmmmmm... Thank you, Adina.

[Kathy Wilson]

Lynne, you are one of the great folk in this life. I applaud you. I so apoligize if I sound cranky this morning. It is not my intention. You are one of life's heroes.
Sincerely, Kathy