But my pet shop says...
"We buy only from USDA-licensed breeders"
USDA stands for the United States Department of Agriculture. Their business is supposed to be livestock. They know little or nothing about dogs. As long as a breeder's paperwork is in order, the facilities are disinfected, cages are a minimum size, and no infectious diseases such as distemper are immediately obvious, the kennel passes.
The USDA has not the slightest interest in...
• whether the breeder knows anything about his breed
• whether the dogs used for breeding look like their breed
• whether the dogs used for breeding act like their breed
• whether the dogs used for breeding are free of genetic health problems such as hip dysplasia, luxating patella, eye diseases, liver shunt or heart defects.
USDA Breeder is a label to stay away from. The only reason someone would apply for this license is to crank out lots of puppies.
Example: This dog was approved by USDA for breeding. |