~*~*~The Truth About Pet Shops and Common Scams~*~*~

*_{This article will overview Pet Shops}

Puppy Mills

I'm sure we have all been inside of a pet shop, having the urge to snatch one of those cute pudgy puppies the instant we see them. But has anyone taken into consideration where the puppies have come from, especially in such numbers? The truth is, these puppies – as cute and cuddly as they are – come from the large, corrupt industry called “Puppy Mills.” These businesses confine their animals in cramped crates all year old, forced to breed continuously over and over again. The animals never receive any medical attention if needed, and usually die alone, ill, and scarred. Due to the cramped, unsanitary conditions, many dogs grow sick from stepping in their feces and inhaling the urine's strong stench all day. Their eyes burn while ulcers, gashes, and wounds from skirmishes with other dogs remain untreated. Because they are bred over and over again, year long, the females grow tired, old, and wear quicker than a healthy spayed one. The maximum times a female should be bred is twice a year, and still not definitely done in a row.

Imagine rows and rows of rusted wire crates stacked upon each other, nearly filling up an entire warehouse. As you walk in, the deafening sound of hundreds of dogs barking and whining fills your ears. Would you want to contribute to a business like this? Even if you decide you want to buy from these shops, you must know that you are only ripping yourself off. Take into account of how overpriced the dogs are in the pet stores. A general breeder would sell their animals from $400-800, depending on the breed and quality of the breeding. Puppies suitable for breeding or show would generally sell $800 and up. Pet stores sell their stock for hundreds more, even in the $2000 range! I have seen Labradors on sale in pet stores for $1200, and “Cockapoos” up for grabs on $900.

These animals are treated as lowly objects, and are not given the respect they deserve.


”Designer Dogs/Hybrids”

Speaking of Cockapoos, there's a high chance you've heard of “breeds” such as Maltipoos, Yorkipoos, and Labradoodles. Unfortunately, these mutts are overpriced and badly-bred, and generally originate from Back Yard Breeders and Puppy Mills.

Back Yard Breeders are a similar type of business, but in smaller form, taking place in a person's back yard, guest house, or kennels built in a lacking manner. Like Puppy Mills, BYBs could care less for the dog's state and only breed for profit. Here are common excuses from a Back Yard Breeder:


a) "I have mouths to feed!" And? By Breeding your dogs/cats, you just added MORE stomachs to fill.

b) "Great money!" And bad outcomes. There are over 1 dogs alone without homes - you wanna worsen that population? They are not items to be sold, and the mothers are not puppy machines. To be a good breeder, you must sell healthy puppies, so people won't rat out on you. Idiot fact. D:<

c) "The pupppies are cute!" And then what? Do you have the time, patience, space, and money to take care of this many animals? What will happen when they grow up?

d)"I read a lot of books, I know what to do!" No. You don't. A GOOD breeder only breeds their dogs only once or twice a year. An a GOOD breeder usually works a few years under an experienced breeder mentor to teach them the ropes. Websites teaching you how to breed don't guarantee the best results. Reading them doesn't cause any harm, but entertaining their "lessons" won't do you any good.

e) “I must show my children the miracle of birth! [WTF, mate?]” Um. No. You don't. Rent a movie, show some pictures, describe birth. Don't take advantage of an animal to show your children the birthing process. That's what they have school for.


Back to topic – Designer Dogs. You can easily adopt and rescue a mutt at the shelter. In fact, 25% of dogs in shelters are purebred, most of the time. Pet stores and BYBs will easily sell their dogs for over $500, while you can save a mutt from the pound for under $200. Another reason why not to purchase these overpriced hybrids is because there is no way you can predict the personality or traits of the animal. No reputable breeder will willingly breed two different breed of dogs. That defies the entire purpose of becoming a breeder, because a breeders job is to preserve and improve the breed, not tarnish it by trying to create a “new” one.
”But how can a breeder 'improve' a breed? Well because dogs are domesticated, they cannot undergo the process of natural selection as animals do in the wild, therefore it is the breeders' job to ensure that the breed will continue to live in the standard. It is the breeders' job to breed the best with the best, or in this case, the champion of the show with another champion. Improving the breed means that they continue to join the two best fit animals to reproduce a new generation of better animals. Although this may sound cruel, or that the breeders are treating the animals like items, it is a necessary process that will help many breeds live up to their reputation such as German Sheps [for being smart and protective], Border Collies [for being alculating and strategic for herding sheep and learning quickly.

Poor breeding will result in a poor immune system, genetic illnesses such as cancer, and unpredictable personalities, or unwanted traits. These are the major results in Puppy Mill and BYB puppies. Obtaining a Cockapoo or whatever is not only ripping yourself off, because you can get the same animal from a shelter, at a much cheaper price.

”What's wrong with mutts?”
Nothing is wrong with mutts. No one hates them. The only problem is obtaining them from BYBs, Pet Shops, and Puppy Mills instead of rescuing them from a rescue or shelter. Purchasing them from a Pet Shop, BYB, or Puppy Mill only contributes to the business, and encourages them to produce more of these puppies.

”Well, if I don't buy it, someone else will, anyway.
It doesn't have to be you. Your money doesn't have to go down the drain.

”What about the puppies in the window? Don't they need to be saved?”
Which one, to you, looks more like a priority. Buying the puppy and encouraging the business, despite your intentions, or rescuing a dog from the shelter that could be euthanized tonight, or saving the parent of that puppy from the 'mill?

Teacups are another issue. They are sickly little runts that don't even conform to the standard. For more information, go Here

More info:
Dogtime Matchup
Find Good Breeders
Find Good Breeders in Canada
Question to Ask/Be Asked
Telling a good breeder
Rescue!
Info on Pup Mills 1
Info on Pup Mills 2
Google for more info!