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					Originally Posted by backwardsrain  Only puppy mills are required to be checked by the state...small time breeders never get checked by the state unless someone reports them for animal abuse.  | 
 
  Just for a little information... 
 
  
I raised Dachshunds for sixteen and half years.. I was Illinois state licensed and NOT a puppy mill.   I kept anywhere between 8 and 12 adult breeding dogs through the years....I usually bred at least one litter per year and sometimes 2 or 3 litters.   
 In the state of Illinois any breeder with 5 breedable females MUST be state licensed and inspected.    I did heath testing on my dogs and bred nice dogs with nice lines  and bred acording to the breed standard (Dachshund Club of America) and altghough I didn't personally show my dogs, I had 3 close friends who we kind of worked together with our lines/dogs and they show.     When I quit, I placed 4 of my dogs with a show friend, 2 into pet homes and kept one (spayed).     
Anyway...  I think there may be a mix up about the inspections/license. 
    Most all puppy mills are 
USDA licened because they have to carry that license to be able to broker their puppies.   
  As far as I know, not all states have a "state license" requirement.  I just know Illinois does.  
   I just wanted clarify that not everyone who is state inspected is a puppy mill.   

 I know lots of very reputable breeders who do health testing, show their dogs and care very well for their dogs who are 
state licensed.