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.