Burkehardts Kennels

[Lorraine Bromley]

Are there any Burkhardt doodle owners in this group or that you know of on this site?

[Lorraine Bromley]

Neely is 65 pounds I can only get ahold of him if I ask for a hug then up he comes and puts his head on my shoulders and paws around my neck.
We use the sit stay to make people realize that he is well trained and doesn't have to be physically restrained then its usually oh hes a pretty good dog especially for a puppy.
Not perfect by any means, but loud doesn't hurt anyone.

[Anna Picco]

I have an Aussiedoodle, Molly, which we got from the Burkhart's. She is now 3 years old. We got her in Sept./09.

She's a very gentle dog (has to be since our granddaughters are 3 1/2 and 1 1/2). I swear she must know at least 50 words - we have to spell some (like walk), but I'm sure she will soon figure that out too.

[Lorraine Bromley]

Oh our Neely knows alot of words too. I keep telling my husband why did you say that out loud! He gets Neely all excited about things like going away! Then we have a dog following us waiting for a car ride. Neely is really a great dog and he makes our lives so happy with him. 

[Lorraine Bromley]

I am sorry to have to say that I have found PROOF that Burkharts and their brothers Country Kennels are puppy mills. This is from the canine control officer that pulls the dogs from 24 mills. I am sad that I supported a mill and was fooled by the facade. They have other barns full of the other breeders no one sees that they sell to pet stores and brokers. The vet they use has lost his license several times and been reinstated why who knows. Sad just Sad

[Lorraine Bromley]

After more in-depth research and another persons experience last week I am not clear on any thing related to the puppy mill issue. If you believe the rescue person she has worked years pulling animals and from them. Yet when you talk to others who have been there they don't see this. It is up to you to decide. I am upset that when you try to do your homework you can still be taken. And taken by whom? So many curious things on both sides.We need governmental change and punishment that is real.

[Lorraine Bromley]

We got Neely prior to finding Doodle Kisses so did not follow the whole list. The person that I have been in contact with wanting to adopt a doodle here in Canada has been researching as well and did go and get their doodle last week from There. After I said we thought it was a good breeder but that I should have asked more questions so suggested they ask them. They did and were satisfied that they were all good answers. The only thing they agreed was that they are a large breeder and are not raised in the home but when the family of 12 kids are involved in caring for the dogs each day they are around people all the time.

They claim all breeding dogs have been tested. I did not get that information but my vet said if your pup gets any of the genetic things tested for you have their warranty so it really doesn't matter that you don't have the vet work, the proof will be in the dog with the warranty.

I should have gotten the vet paper work.

The couple last week asked for the vet paper work and were given it.

Also the papers on the breeders.

They also asked that the warranty wording be changed saying that they would replace the dog not take the dog back.

She was very good telling us which dogs would have different types of coats for example, and that her australians would be better for highly active people and have herding instincts. She has three types of doodle lab golden australian cattle dog

We met the mom but only had a picture of the Dad, They had both brought out to see and interact with.

The barn was extremely clean and you had to disinfect prior to entering. The males were separated from the females and were in the other part of the barn and had out door runs. They were excited with people coming to the barn tails wagging barking ect. 

The breeders did not seem to have any people anxiety other than being very watchful with their puppies.

BUT the lady that runs Kismutt rescue claims to pull from 24 amish or mennonite farms weekly and that they are all puppy mills and that they have other barns of animals that supple the pet stores and brokers. She was adamant that she pulls from them too. She has horror stories. She is against ALL breeders in those communities. She is against several vets including mine, saying they all support them and make money off them. She gave the name of a vet that has lost his license several times and gets it back after a slap on the wrist basically. The people last week did not have his name on any of the dogs paper work. She claims to have a problem with the canine control officer I have been working with helping to get rescues to come in to get his dogs that have run out of funding because he doesn't want to have to put down a healthy dog because of no funding. She is what we discussed as fanatical in her stance. She continued to put me down for buying my dog period, and getting him from there, even though it was five years ago and I have still been investigating for names of puppy mills that she seems to know but nothing ever comes from it.

I am at a cross roads in who and what to believe. She claims one thing but then a few red flags come up with her as well. 

The only obvious thing is that they are a business and a large breeder.

The people last week went through with their adoption with a few more questions and answers than I had asked. They saw no signs of abuse of animals at all, neither did I. But do they have another side that the public doesn't see? On another property? 

Lorraine 

From Adina P to Lorraine Bromley
Sent 13 hours ago

Does Burkhart Kennels pass our "What to look for in a breeder" test? 

Adina

[Anna Picco]

When we went to Burkhart's Kennels to get Molly, there was a sister of Molly's who was being sold at a very reduced price because she had had surgery because of a hernia and had a large scar on her stomach. If the Burkhart's REALLY didn't care about their pups, they would have put her down instead of spending substantial money on surgery.

As to there being other barns on their property I looked it up on Google maps. The only buildings on their property are the ones you can see once you are in their driveway.

I also checked the "medical record" sheet I was given when we got Molly. The vet's initials are on it along with the name of veterinarian office. I checked on Google for any info on this vet and there was NOTHING. I'm sure if this vet had had his licence revoked three times there would likely have been some sort of reference - either people complaining about him or some other posting. I worry that spreading this kind of insinuation, without real proof, can ruin someone's reputation. I would be the first to spread the news if there was documentation.

There was some comment about concern that the pups & mother were in a kennel with wood shavings. This is actually recommended once the pups are a certain age.

I think I may actually make a visit out to Kismutt's and personally meet this Kimberly (without, of course, confronting her). Just want to get a feel for what her agenda is.

Yes, there are a lot of puppy mills in Ontario. However, most of them cater to the "very small dog" category. And that is another issue. Many people who live in condos or apartments buy small dogs thinking that they don't need as much walking as larger breeds. I heard a discussion on CBC where the topic was about how these people go off to work in the morning and come home late afternoon. The dog has been paper trained so there is no arrangement for a dog walker. Some of these dogs don't get to walk on grass until the weekend. My cousin, who lives in a Toronto condo, has a small dog. However, she arranges for a dog walker every work day and takes her pet out at least twice after she comes home from work. She is a responsible dog owner. So, why don't I see any outrage about these small dogs being treated as accessories - e.g., Paris Hilton.

There is plenty of blame to go around.

[Lorraine Bromley]

Anna I was up all night and my husband said I was crying in my sleep. I guess it is just so disheartening that someone can pull something over on you no matter how much you think you do right.

She did say that they have other barns but not on THAT property. 

Everything I SAW said LARGE KENNEL BUSINESS. NOT PUPPY MILL OR ABUSE.

I have spent hours with the person who bought a puppy last week from Burkharts. The he called Kismutt as well and was on the phone for hours, he decided to go through with his purchase. He had put a deposit down earlier in the week when they visited Burkharts but I don't think that had much to do with his decision to go through with the purchase. He was seemingly a very educated man that wanted to do his due diligence when looking for their next family member.

So after all that I messaged you and the places I had posted the kismutt information on and explained what he had done and still went through with it. I can't support or deny they are a puppy mill. Only what we saw and we SAW NO ABUSE.

That is interesting that you saw that hernia repair dog. That doesn't say abuse and puppy mill to me.

I don't agree with you on the puppy mills being small dog orientated. It is done a bit different with large breeds is all.

Kimberly is very passionate about this issue, so even though you wouldn't go for a confrontation it becomes close to that feeling when you talk to her because she is so passionate and if she knew you got a doodle (paid) that would start her off then from Burkharts she would be explaining what you did wrong.

There is plenty of blame to go around. What can one person do. Not much as Kimberly has been doing it and they are all in business so it will take a shift in government and enforcement where there seems to be a huge neglect.

I felt I had to put both sides out there and let others make their own decision. Visit the kennel ask questions.

Lorraine.

[Anna Picco]

Lorraine:

I'm sorry to hear that this situation has upset you so much. You have to remember that you did not go to a pet store (where most mill puppies end up) but went to what you believed to be a reputable breeder.

Anna

[Lorraine Bromley]

I still am not decided about whether they are a puppy mill or not. Especially with your story about Molly's sister who had an operation and was still there and for sale, cheaper. THey didn't just shoot her? So maybe they have learned that being a good breeder brings more money? I just can't think why this other women would say she is there and pulling mill dogs from them if she isn't? I can only go by what I see.