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Ok, this is pretty muchly going to be a "ramble" by someone with 26 years of "pure dog" experience (grooming, vet tech, AKC confirmation showing, breeding, obedience, ect.). If anyone feels the need to add to this please email me privately. I am going to address certain issues and may add to this as I go along. The main thing being, after 26 years, I am STILL learning, as is ANYONE who truly loves what they do and wants to IMPROVE.
AVOID PUPPY MILLS AT ALL COSTS!
1. Why shouldn't I buy from a puppy mill?
The facts here are plain and simple. If you do not know what a puppy mill is please put it into your browser and educate yourself. Briefly they are facilities where hundreds of dogs are housed in filthy conditions and bred (to whatever breeds them first be it a father, brother, another unproclaimed breed, ect....inbreeding is RAMPANT) until they die. They are fed the cheapest food, given NO healthcare, in most cases not even the basics like flea and tick control or heartworm prevenative or teeth cleanings, or ANYTHING. If vaccines are given it's a money issue. Live puppies are where the money is at. The quality of the adult dogs are usually absolutely deplorable. No discretion at all, even for serious health issues, is used when breeding. It is a "business" and it's for profits sake alone.
2.I feel sorry for the puppy! Isn't buying it going to "save" it?
The answer here is ABSOLUTELY NOT! WHEN YOU BUY A PUPPY FROM A PET STORE OR PUPPY MILL YOU PROMOTE A BUSINESS THAT SURVIVES OFF OF YOUR PITY. IF YOU DON'T BUY THE PUPPY...THEY DON'T STAY IN BUSINESS.
IF YOU BUY THE PUPPY YOU DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTE TO THE INHUMANE TREATMENT OF ANIMALS
IF YOU BUY THE PUPPY YOU KEEP THESE HORRIFIC PLACES OPEN AND READY FOR BUSINESS
BY TURNING DOWN PUPPY MILL/PETSHOP PUPPIES YOU ARE SAVING HUNDREDS INSTEAD OF ONE!!!!!
3. How do I know it's a puppy mill?
This can be either very difficult or very easy.
A.Does the person advertise more than 3 breeds? It's probably a puppy mill.
B. Are the puppies cheap or advertised at a much lower rate? With no health care provided to adult dogs and puppies popping out like bunnies it's no wonder they can sell cheaper! Again, promoting cruelty to animals is the end result.
C. Does the person/kennel advertise more than a few puppies at any one time? Puppy Mill (unless it's a quality broker and those are VERY few and far between!!!)
D. The best way to find this out is a VET REFERENCE. Call the vet's office and ask them DIRECTLY is this person what you would consider a PUPPY MILL?
If you buy from a big kennel or from a puppy mill:
Any puppy book will inform you that 6 wks to 12 wks is CRITIAL for any puppies mental development. If you buy from a big kennel or puppy mill you can COUNT ON puppies that were born in a kennel and NOT HANDLED or handled VERY LITTLE at BEST. Socialization IS KEY, not only the development of each puppy but in the ability of the seller to place the right puppy in the right home! If a puppy hasn't been properly socialized and handled there is NO WAY the seller can know anything about the puppies true temperament!!!! This is a key element and a HUGE reason to NOT buy anything but puppies raised IN THE HOME!
How can I be 100% certain that the puppy I am buying is healthy?
This is a difficult question. Even under the best of circumstances, from the healthiest parents, problems CAN AND DO CROP UP.
Anyone who says anything different is not being honest. NO ONE can guarantee that your new puppy will be problem free for life. Yes, there are things that can be taken into consideration! But in the long run, even with genetic testing of breeding stock, things can go wrong at any point. This is part and parcel of buying/owning a live animal! Understand on the front end that there are breed specific problems, generalized problems, and ongoing vet maintenance issues that will need to be addressed as they crop up. Yes, inform your breeder when you have a problem! Most serious genetic problems are covered by a health contract (a good reason NOT to buy from your local paper as most dogs advertised there have only a 48 hour warrenty) but there are a bevy of problems that can occur that are expensive to treat and some things to LOOK FOR BEFORE buying! From the absolute best of show breeders who genetically test all stock to the sweet old lady who bred FiFi with heart and passion NO ONE is FREE FROM PROBLEMS! The best you can do to protect yourself is a good written contract.
1. Make sure your new puppy doesn't have a soft spot or molera larger than a dime (chihuahua's being the exception).
2. Make sure that your puppy has a good bite (an off bite is PERFECTLY OK for a pet dog and usually does NOT affect it's general health but it should never be bred and the breeder/seller should INFORM YOU BEFORE SALE if the bite is "off". Bites can change VERY quickly at a young age and sometimes a breeder doesn't realize it....so always ask. Don't let a bad bite deter you if you are buying a family pet as it makes no difference that I can see unless it's having a few teeth pulled).
3. Ask if your new puppy has ANY HERNIA's including groin! This is a problem that can be corrected but can cost extra so you should be made aware of it.
4. Ask if your puppy has ever had any issues with HYPOGLYCEMIA and if so, be prepared with NUTRICAL.
Some problems with small dogs are so prevalant that they aren't covered under most contracts. Be aware of them and know how to treat and what to look for!
a. Parasites (easy to treat but be ready to look at your puppie's poop for the first few months! Parasites are killing puppies because people aren't aware how serious the problem is. Coccidia and Giardia are terms your puppie's breeder should make you aware of ..again...educate yourself before buying!
b. One thing I myself don't cover for is luxating patella's (or slipping knee joints). This problem is expensive to treat and happens so much because of the way the dogs joints are naturally made. If you allow your dog to jump or if your dog is extremely active Don't be surprised when it shows up. It seems to be worse in Yorkies, poodles, and Rat Terriers.
c. One major problem with small dogs, with no pattern, I believe, to the madness, is skin problems. Your beautiful new baby can start itching at any point and it could be anything from the bowl your feeding it in to what you use to spray the bathroom with. This is where a helpful breeder will do all they can to help you pinpoint the problem but it's expensive and can take a while...IF you can pinpoint the problem at all.
d. Eye problems! From eye staining to dogs who don't make enough tears these can range widely. Not usually as aggravating as other health concerns these can be breed specific so look at what you're buying and the age eyes are affected. Pugs can easily injure their prominant eyes EARLY. Poodles can get cataracts with age. Do your homework and be prepared for breed specific problems.
Yes, your teacup (under 4 lb) dog is predisposed for health problems!
Yes, no matter WHAT, teacup dogs and dogs under five lbs are a bullseye for health issues. Some are breed specific and some are just THERE for teacup owners to deal with. If you are buying a teacup dog, even from me, be aware that you are buying a HIGH RISK puppy and that extra time, effort, and money will be spent in the long run.
One suggestion I have, lately, is this:
If you are buying a puppy that will be under 5lbs as an adult (unless it's a Chihuahua)
Have a blood panel run on the puppy BEFORE SALE! Any serious breeder will readily agree. Yes, it will be at YOUR expense! BUT...you will rule out any early signs of problems and therefore avoid heartache in the long run. It's better to loose a small amount of money on the front end rather than getting a puppy with a serious problem that could possibly have been detected before you've got your heart and wallet wrapped around that precious baby. Yes, it's going to slow down the sale. No, not all problems will be detected. BUT ...since buying a teacup is expensive and risky anyways...go that extra mile and have the test pulled.
Accidents, falling, dropping, low blood sugar, seizures, hydrocephelus, big dog attacks, inability to take anesthetics, ect. are all complications of owning a teacup. I have seen teacups be so healthy and hardy it's not funny but they are few and far between. The Maltese, in particular, seems to not do well when maturing at under 3lbs. Yorkies, chihuahua's, and poodles seem to be healthier teacups.
How do I safely purchase a puppy online?
Pay attention to warnings on websites like Puppyfind.com.
ASK FOR AND CALL/Email REFERENCES, ESPECIALLY VETS!
Never use Western Union
Never answer ads for puppies that are "free" or at a really reduced rate.
NEVER buy from anyone outside of America
Make sure the person you are sending your money to isn't calling from a cell phone.
Call their local post office and make sure that it's their actual address (or, like I require, overnight the package where the person receiving HAS to sign personally). Never mail to a PO box.
I have dealt with so many people who have lost their money because they didn't take proper precautions!
Read over my payment/shipping page as it's full of important information.
If you are actively looking for a "cheap" or reduced priced puppy you are just asking for trouble. If you can't afford a puppy you certainly can't afford it's healthcare. If you need help PLEASE see your local shelter as it's full of dogs that need good homes!
How do I resist that cute puppy?
Well, if it's from a puppy mill you just know in your heart that you cannot contribute to the cruelty of animals.
You must also consider that cuteness, really, has nothing to do with what's best for you and your family. Getting a new puppy should be a long thought process and all family members should fully agree. Things like what breed? What age? What color? ect. can only be answered by educating yourself.
One item here, for me personally, is how many people will pass up a puppy that's just not "perfect" in it's picture. Puppies are HARD to get good pictures of! I don't place ANYTHING but drop dead gorgeous babies that grow up into lovely adult dogs. I don't have an "ugly" one in the bunch. I will tell you , though, that my 26 years in dogs including grooming and showing has given me an outstanding "eye" for not only aesthetic beauty but for solid structure, movement, and my sight goes beyond the puppy in front of me to it's adult hood. It's a passion for me, a real love of dogs.
Beware of a breeder/seller who doesn't ask questions
If they don't ask questions they don't care. About YOU or the puppy involved. A good breeder may even refuse to sell you a particular puppy because it doesn't "fit". Don't be offended...be glad someone was willing to do the right thing. The opposite is true too...you should ask questions and LISTEN carefully to answers. Make a list. You wouldn't believe how many people call me with a structured list and I'm always GLAD to answer!
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