Quote:
Originally Posted by bugsmomma  WalnutHill-
I just wish you were the rule and not the exception. |
The only way to make that happen is to change the way people see dogs - not as livestock, but a companions. I'm not talking about calling them "Canine americans" or anything, I don't think dogs are people, but I don't think they are livestock that you can buy a couple and multiply them and sell them to make quick money.
Here in Missouri, there are obviously a lot of puppy mills. Many very close to where I live. Around here, people get a couple of dogs, breed them, make a little cash, and realize they can buy more dogs, breed more dogs, and make more money. They give their dogs sub-standard care because it's cheaper. They do whatever they can to spend as little money as possible on their "operation," and use the internet to sell their puppies to people who live too far away to ever come see the kennel or the dogs. They are con-artists (look up Christy or Cody Harmon or Double C Ranch on Google - they live about 15 minutes from us and are HORRIBLE "breeders" - I went to school with them).
This is another reason why I think the biggest red flag for a breeder is if they have more than one breed of dog (two maybe, but if they have 8, run away!).
My dad has spent YEARS learning about Yorkies, and believe me, it will take many more to really get a good handle on the breeding program, etc, etc, and there is no way that a person can have multiple breeds of dogs and be doing anything but trying to make a quick buck.
I have been working with my dad for almost a year now, and every day I just learn how much I don't know. I hope over the next 30 years I'll be able to call myself an "expert," but it will probably take 30 years before I'd feel comfortable saying that.
Anyway, sorry to rant, but I get worked up about this stuff. : ) Seems like everyone else does, too, so I guess it's okay. LOL