What if your dog didn't come from a rebutable breeder

[Jane Smith]

Apparently when I got my girls (a year apart) I didn't know much about breeders, or what questions to ask, if any.  I am now thinking that I got my girls from puppy mills, and I just feel sick.  I mean I love them, and they are healthy, but to think I contributed to that makes me sick.

 

The reason I suspect this, is I e-mailed the guy that set it up (both dogs were flown in from different states), and told him that I had someone that was interested in a dog from Ethel's breeder, and if he could get me the name of the breeder.  I have not gotten a response and this was a few days ago.  When I told the interested party that I believed I went through a breeder broker type thing, she informed me that it definitely was a puppy mill then and not a rebutable breeder.   Yikes! 

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

 

Don't feel bad.  Many of us didn't know much when we got our doodles and made mistakes.  We now try to help others not make the same mistakes.  Some have gotten involved in doodle rescue.  Let's all try to keep people informed about puppy mills and those that are brokers fronting for the mills.

 

You made the right choice in discussing this.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Jane - please do not feel bad!  Often times "we don't know - what we don't know".  I know that I had no clue about puppy mills before coming to this site, or the importance of quality foods.  My beloved Stuart is straight out of a puppy mill - to rescue - to me.  The absolutely wonderful thing is that now that we do know - we can help find a solution.  Educate family and friends, support local and state legislation that makes running a puppy mill harder.  You are a great doodle mom with fabulous doodles!!!!

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

well said.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

I agree...  Well said!

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

Water under the bridge. But, because of your post - now others know about brokers. Give your girls a big hug!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

We live and learn don't we? :) This was a tough lesson but now you have the knowledge to help and inform others. Thanks for posting!

[Kathy & Trixie Lee]

my doodle was a puppy mill rescue...never out of a car carrier for most of her life(so sad) until i got her at 4months old.  i didnt even know what breed she was-we just made a connection. i am definitely a  doodle-lover and will never get another breed ever! doodlekisses has opened my eyes to exactly how special dodles really are...not just my trixie. besides everything happens for a reason!

[Jane Smith]

Thank you all for your kind responses.  This whole thing brought me to tears.  I remember watching Oprah's special on puppy mills, and thinking how could people do this.  Well, now we know.  Education is the key and I will now be an advocate. 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I am pretty sure that one of the directors of the DRC unknowling purchased their first doodle from a pet shop/puppy mill.  She has done SO MUCH FOR SO MANY DOODS NOW!!!! 

All of my dogs growing up were probably from puppy mills.  Both cairn terriers were from a small-scale backyard breeder type puppy mill.  When I was looking for Peri, I mentioned a breeder I was looking into to a friend. She told me she had looked for her dog (different breed - red flag) at the same place and told me it was a puppy mill. I found Peri's reputable breeder in a roundabout way and then found DK (through breeder). I would have never known that ALL pet store dogs are from puppy mills, what to look for in good breeders, etc..I stumbled upon it.  My mom know says "oh I now realize that Lucy (cairn) must be a puppy mill dog".  Do you know how many people by from puppy mills? I have had two friends MEET breeders in parkign lots to get their puppies.  I have told them they are BAD and to stay away.  But I run a fine line of being totally rude.

We need to educate as many people as possible and I applaud you for starting this discussion.  Your dogs are WONDERFUL!  And you cannot regret getting them.  You will never regret them!  You regret supporting a bad breeder, but it's not their fault they came from there. 

Spread the knowledge you have and more people will stay AWAY and question BAD breeding practices.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yes, Adrianne writes about this often. Mistakes can happen. Education is the key. I have learned a lot in the last few years.

[Molly~Molly's Darling Doodles]

I totally agree about pet store puppies.....being a breeder myself I could not imagine EVER having my puppies sitting in a pet store in a small kennel just hoping that someone would take them home!  In my opinion Pet Store = Puppy Mill:(   But, I do have to disagree with a statement made by Allyson about BAD breeders meeting people in parking lots.  I live in Northern Michigan which is pretty much in the boonies.......I have met MANY families in parking lots with their puppies!  I speak to the families on the phone and via email many times before meeting with them........and, I go to meet them personally with the puppy so that I can actually see them interact with the puppy before letting him/her go home with them.  I don't feel this makes me a bad breeder at all.....but, rather, a breeder willing to go that extra mile when I live so far from them (most families live 8+ hours drive from me).  Families are ALWAYS welcome to my home to come and meet the parents and see the entire litter....I actually prefer that they come to me....BUT.....distance can sometimes be a hinderance.  So please, don't be too quick to point fingers......

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I can't speak to what you personally do or why, but it is a huge red flag when a breeder does not want you to come to their property to get your puppy, and meet the dog's parents. This is not just my opinion or Allyson's opinion, but well-known, common-sense advice given to any puppy purchaser by almost every resource and authority on the subject. It's very nice that you are willing to go out of your way for someone's convenience, but if they want to see the property (which they should), a breeder who refuses to allow that would seem to be hiding something. Speaking on the phone and e-mailing doesn't take the place of actually seeing the environment and meeting the mother. I also wonder how much "interacting" with the puppy you can observe in some parking lot. I would imagine that the weather in Northern Michigan coupled with the traffic, hazards, and confusion of a parking lot would make that kind of impractical. It's not like a family could sit down on the floor and play with the puppy in the parking lot.

I can't imagine someone purchasing a puppy and travelling any distance and then wanting to meet in a parking lot to save an extra hour or two. Having a dog is not convenient, and getting one shouldn't be, either.