Question about a Pet Shop - YorkieTalk.com Forums

ldstull · 07-20-2005, 06:52 AM

I am concerned b/c my mom just purchased a dog from Burke Pet Center in Virginia, I am concerned , she paid a ton of money for the dog b/c they said it came from a fancy breeder in South Dakota (But why would a fancy breeder sell her pups to a pet store) I think she is getting lied to, but am i over reacting, I have never liked pet stores that sell animals. I also found an article online saying they also got pups from Hunte Corporation which is where I think Petland gets their's.

What do you all think???

sylvan · 07-20-2005, 06:59 AM

I think your mom more than likely just bought a mill pup and you should be concerned. What are the guarantees and has she had it vet checked?

MeganS · 07-20-2005, 06:59 AM

how much was it? that will give you a HUGE hint. if it said they get their's from the Hunte Corporation and if they do, she got herself a mill puppy. Just tell her to be prepared. a lot of things can happen now. take it to the vet. have them run blood tests. if their is a genenic defect take it back to the store and DEMAND your money back, threaten with the law, do what ever nesscary.

JCarlson2004 · 07-20-2005, 07:03 AM

It sounds like it's a mill dog. I'm sorry. Please have your mom (if she didn't do so alread) bring the dog to a vet for a full check-up. Good luck!

natalie · 07-20-2005, 07:03 AM

Most pet shop puppies come from puppymills and those workers will probably lie to boost up their sales.
ANd yes, you are right. No reputable breeder would sell their puppies to a puppy store. A lot of breeders care for their puppies and would ask extensive questions to make sure that the puppy is going to the right family. No breeder I know would sell to a pet shop.

Please be careful and advise your mom to watch over the health of the puppy.

ldstull · 07-20-2005, 07:08 AM

Thank you all for your comments! I wanted to make sure it wasn't just me. I advised her and of course she was defensive, but said she would take it to a vet to check it out, I think they paid $800 for him. Which I thought was a lot for a Cairn, but I am not as familiar with their breed. I know yorkies are expensive.

Thanks again for the support.

MeganS · 07-20-2005, 07:23 AM

i'll do some research on the net for a cairn. i'll see how much the going rate is. usually the mills cost a lot more than normal.

yorkiemomiee · 07-20-2005, 07:23 AM

This is a really good thread. I have a question...If the petstore claims that this dog comes from a fancy breeder and offers the full AKC papers is it possible for the puppy to still have come from a mill? The same thing happened to someone I know a few years ago and when they took their dog to the groomer, the groomer said that he did not believe that their dog was purebreed even though he has papers with the bloodline and breeder info. The groomer said that sometimes petstores sell pups with papers that don't belong to them. Could this really happen? I mean all my friend did was sign the papers and register the pup..is there a way to tell they sold him a dog that wasn't really the one that belonged to the akc papers? Anyway I'd appreciate any info and advice. Thanks

btw he pay $800. for his westie dog too. It's alot of money to pay and not get what you believe you are paying for...

Babbie · 07-20-2005, 07:26 AM

Getting a fake pedigree is not hard at all...that is why we should opt for serious breeders.

Please have this puppy checked by a vet that has no relation to the petshop...and good luck!

MeganS · 07-20-2005, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkiemomiee

This is a really good thread. I have a question...If the petstore claims that this dog comes from a fancy breeder and offers the full AKC papers is it possible for the puppy to still have come from a mill? The same thing happened to someone I know a few years ago and when they took their dog to the groomer, the groomer said that he did not believe that their dog was pureblood even though he has papers with the bloodline and breeder info. The groomer said that sometimes petstores sell pups with papers that don't belong to them. Could this really happen? I mean all my friend did was sign the papers and register the pup..is there a way to tell they sold her a dog that wasn't really the one that belonged to the akc papers? Anyway I'd appreciate any info and advice. Thanks

ooooh yea. we were told that bandit came from a VERY responsible breeder. guess what? he came from a mill

guess what else? he died one month later.

of course that doesn't always happen. i hope nothing goes wrong with your mom's dog. oh yes i looked it up and they are $850-$900 from a responsible breeder.

yorkiemomiee · 07-20-2005, 07:32 AM

Thanks for the replies. It's very sad...I guess it's really hard to prove the seller is lying about the dog's lineage and that's why it's so easy to be done?

whispersmom2 · 07-20-2005, 07:34 AM

YES! YES! YES! It is highly likely and probable that the puppy is from a mill. There is a way to check-look at the paper work. Where in SD was the breeder? The name will HAVE to be on the AKC, or other registry application form. Then go to aphis.usda.gov.ac.license and look for South Dakota and look for their name. If they sell wholesale to Hunte ,who BTW, sells over 85,000 puppies a year from millers to pet stores, they have to be licensed the same as if they were selling pigs, cows and stock...
Make sure you are looking at the actual registration papers for the dog and not the reg. application for a microchip..They have started giving that application and playing it up and then give the paperwork for another reg that millers use...BUT, they still can be registered with AKC if the miller registered the litter. BUT, remember, the papers you have might not actually be the papers for that specific puppy...

YorkieRose · 07-20-2005, 07:43 AM

I had a grooming client who went to visit family in Arkansas a few years ago. While there he bought 5 female pups at $400 each, came back to MD and resold 3 of them for $850.
If I owned a pet shop I could travel to a cheaper area and buy up pups and make alot of money reselling..nothing to stop anyone.
Our local pet shop used to buy litters of mixed pups or kittens for $15 per and resell them for a fair amount.
I found this odd why a person would pay $150 for a kitten that was $35 at the Humane Society?

ldstull · 07-20-2005, 07:57 AM

Yeah that is what I thought was weird, all they said was a fancy lady breeder in South Dakota - doesn't sound very official to me. When I looked online I found NO cairn breeders in South Dakota, none at all, so far at least. I don't know what papers she got on him, I will definitely check.

Akitakt · 11-16-2005, 02:19 PM

You can have your mom go to http://www.petshoppuppies.com to get a report on where her dog came from. But she was almost certainly lied to. No responsible breeder would allow their dogs to be shipped off to a store (especially another state) and go to whoever can fork over the money. A responsible breeder will do reference checks, a home check and interview you. Her paperwork will say who the breeder is. You can check to see if the breeder is listed in the USDA's list of "licenced breeders" although that list was last updated in 2003. That list of class A breeders can be found here: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/lists/lista.pdf and the list of class B breeders can be found here: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/lists/listb.pdf

Also, a puppy mill is a slang term for a commerical breeder who cranks out a large quantity of dogs in poor conditions. And the more dogs you crank out the harder it is to provide clean, healthy conditions, proper care and socialization. And, the less they provide for the dogs, the more profit they are making. So, just because they send in their fees to the AKC to get "papers" doesn't mean the dog is healthy, socialized or worth the $1000 you're paying for him/her.

07-20-2005, 06:52 AM	#1
ldstull YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Clifton, VA Posts: 260	Question about a Pet Shop I am concerned b/c my mom just purchased a dog from Burke Pet Center in Virginia, I am concerned , she paid a ton of money for the dog b/c they said it came from a fancy breeder in South Dakota (But why would a fancy breeder sell her pups to a pet store) I think she is getting lied to, but am i over reacting, I have never liked pet stores that sell animals. I also found an article online saying they also got pups from Hunte Corporation which is where I think Petland gets their's. What do you all think??? __________________ Lisa - Daisy's Mommy

07-20-2005, 06:59 AM	#3
MeganS Donating YT 7000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 12,016 Blog Entries: 1	how much was it? that will give you a HUGE hint. if it said they get their's from the Hunte Corporation and if they do, she got herself a mill puppy. Just tell her to be prepared. a lot of things can happen now. take it to the vet. have them run blood tests. if their is a genenic defect take it back to the store and DEMAND your money back, threaten with the law, do what ever nesscary. __________________ Megan "I have my dreams, I have made plans." - The Pirate Queen All Gave Some; Some Gave All

07-20-2005, 07:03 AM	#4
JCarlson2004 Mommy To 3 Poochies Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New York Posts: 8,287	It sounds like it's a mill dog. I'm sorry. Please have your mom (if she didn't do so alread) bring the dog to a vet for a full check-up. Good luck! __________________ Mommy Loves Codie, Tia & Baby Cali RIP My Precious Katie - I Love You

07-20-2005, 07:08 AM	#6
ldstull YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Clifton, VA Posts: 260	Thank you all for your comments! I wanted to make sure it wasn't just me. I advised her and of course she was defensive, but said she would take it to a vet to check it out, I think they paid $800 for him. Which I thought was a lot for a Cairn, but I am not as familiar with their breed. I know yorkies are expensive. Thanks again for the support. __________________ Lisa - Daisy's Mommy

07-20-2005, 07:23 AM	#7
MeganS Donating YT 7000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 12,016 Blog Entries: 1	i'll do some research on the net for a cairn. i'll see how much the going rate is. usually the mills cost a lot more than normal. __________________ Megan "I have my dreams, I have made plans." - The Pirate Queen All Gave Some; Some Gave All

07-20-2005, 06:59 AM	#2
sylvan YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 2,484	I think your mom more than likely just bought a mill pup and you should be concerned. What are the guarantees and has she had it vet checked?

07-20-2005, 07:03 AM	#5
natalie Owned by Fred Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 1,352	Most pet shop puppies come from puppymills and those workers will probably lie to boost up their sales. ANd yes, you are right. No reputable breeder would sell their puppies to a puppy store. A lot of breeders care for their puppies and would ask extensive questions to make sure that the puppy is going to the right family. No breeder I know would sell to a pet shop. Please be careful and advise your mom to watch over the health of the puppy.

07-20-2005, 07:23 AM	#8
yorkiemomiee Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 109	This is a really good thread. I have a question...If the petstore claims that this dog comes from a fancy breeder and offers the full AKC papers is it possible for the puppy to still have come from a mill? The same thing happened to someone I know a few years ago and when they took their dog to the groomer, the groomer said that he did not believe that their dog was purebreed even though he has papers with the bloodline and breeder info. The groomer said that sometimes petstores sell pups with papers that don't belong to them. Could this really happen? I mean all my friend did was sign the papers and register the pup..is there a way to tell they sold him a dog that wasn't really the one that belonged to the akc papers? Anyway I'd appreciate any info and advice. Thanks btw he pay $800. for his westie dog too. It's alot of money to pay and not get what you believe you are paying for... __________________ ~Kiko my little ray of sunshine~ ...........................Denise Kiko............................. Last edited by yorkiemomiee; 07-20-2005 at 07:28 AM. Reason: added a line.

07-20-2005, 07:26 AM	#9
Babbie Got Mojo? Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Miami Posts: 1,117	Getting a fake pedigree is not hard at all...that is why we should opt for serious breeders. Please have this puppy checked by a vet that has no relation to the petshop...and good luck! __________________ Thati & Mojo

07-20-2005, 07:32 AM	#11
yorkiemomiee Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 109	Thanks for the replies. It's very sad...I guess it's really hard to prove the seller is lying about the dog's lineage and that's why it's so easy to be done? __________________ ~Kiko my little ray of sunshine~ ...........................Denise Kiko.............................

07-20-2005, 07:34 AM	#12
whispersmom2 Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MD Posts: 2,985	YES! YES! YES! It is highly likely and probable that the puppy is from a mill. There is a way to check-look at the paper work. Where in SD was the breeder? The name will HAVE to be on the AKC, or other registry application form. Then go to aphis.usda.gov.ac.license and look for South Dakota and look for their name. If they sell wholesale to Hunte ,who BTW, sells over 85,000 puppies a year from millers to pet stores, they have to be licensed the same as if they were selling pigs, cows and stock... Make sure you are looking at the actual registration papers for the dog and not the reg. application for a microchip..They have started giving that application and playing it up and then give the paperwork for another reg that millers use...BUT, they still can be registered with AKC if the miller registered the litter. BUT, remember, the papers you have might not actually be the papers for that specific puppy...

07-20-2005, 07:43 AM	#13
YorkieRose No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,577	reselling I had a grooming client who went to visit family in Arkansas a few years ago. While there he bought 5 female pups at $400 each, came back to MD and resold 3 of them for $850. If I owned a pet shop I could travel to a cheaper area and buy up pups and make alot of money reselling..nothing to stop anyone. Our local pet shop used to buy litters of mixed pups or kittens for $15 per and resell them for a fair amount. I found this odd why a person would pay $150 for a kitten that was $35 at the Humane Society?

07-20-2005, 07:57 AM	#14
ldstull YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Clifton, VA Posts: 260	Yeah that is what I thought was weird, all they said was a fancy lady breeder in South Dakota - doesn't sound very official to me. When I looked online I found NO cairn breeders in South Dakota, none at all, so far at least. I don't know what papers she got on him, I will definitely check. __________________ Lisa - Daisy's Mommy

11-16-2005, 02:19 PM	#15
Akitakt Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: California Posts: 43	You can have your mom go to http://www.petshoppuppies.com to get a report on where her dog came from. But she was almost certainly lied to. No responsible breeder would allow their dogs to be shipped off to a store (especially another state) and go to whoever can fork over the money. A responsible breeder will do reference checks, a home check and interview you. Her paperwork will say who the breeder is. You can check to see if the breeder is listed in the USDA's list of "licenced breeders" although that list was last updated in 2003. That list of class A breeders can be found here: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/lists/lista.pdf and the list of class B breeders can be found here: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/lists/listb.pdf Also, a puppy mill is a slang term for a commerical breeder who cranks out a large quantity of dogs in poor conditions. And the more dogs you crank out the harder it is to provide clean, healthy conditions, proper care and socialization. And, the less they provide for the dogs, the more profit they are making. So, just because they send in their fees to the AKC to get "papers" doesn't mean the dog is healthy, socialized or worth the $1000 you're paying for him/her.