re-reading that post I don't think I really explained what people who are looking to buy a dog should be most diligent about.
Someone that has a usda license isn't necessarily a puppy mill. There are also people who breed their 'pets' over and over again to sell for profit and that's what they do full time.
Regardless of where you buy your companion, please please make sure to do a thorough research of that person or kennel. Someone with a usda license may have done so thinking it was a good thing and they were doing things by the book and reassuring buyers. They probably never imagined they would have people take that list and lump everyone on it as a bad person and puppy mill.
I've also attached a picture that pretty much told me what to think of Doug and Sharon. Does Doug look like a puppy mill guy to you in this pic which is on his website?
I believe these are the main things you look for. Some connection between the breeder and the dogs they are breeding.
* look for something personal about the breeder on the site
* look up inspection reports if they have a usda license
* Talk to the breeder on the phone
* Since you can't see the kennel, look up satellite pics of the area
* Ask the breeder for pics of mom and dad
* ask the breeder to upload videos of puppies in action
* ask for health info to be emailed or faxed
* ask for AKC info of family tree
All of the above will give you a good idea about who you are buying your longtime companion from. As I said I don't believe a usda license automatically give us a reason to say that that person or kennel is a puppy mill. It's just not fair to the people who got those licenses for the express purpose of doing the right thing and avoiding backlash like they are getting because of it. There are too many puppy mills in homes and unlicensed. Saying people on this list are bad might lead people to unlicensed breeder who have more chance of being puppy mills, eh?
Do your research and you will find a great loving dog to be by your side for many happy years...
