NEWBIE: I did the unthinkable - PETLAND

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by BisBatt

I have been in the market for a Yorkie pup (as a pet) and over the past few months I have contacted several breeders and also been shopping on the PureBredBreeders website. Yesterday, I wandered into PETLAND and they had two Yorkies - one little guy immediately jumped all over me and then fell asleep in my arms. He was perfect. I've read all about the puppy-mill horrors (regarding PBPUPS.COM and PETLAND) - but now my heart has been stolen.

Petland says the puppy is ACA registered. This is also concerning - even though I will never breed the pup. They are charging 1999.99 - which looks to be around the price point for a pure AKC pup.

I am looking for any words of advice.

I also found a 9 week pup in the classifieds - no papers - 600 quick sale. Should I run?

You've been given lots of good advice, pet store puppies are way overpriced. Here's the YTCA link to breeders in Michigan. Breeder Listing A YTCA breeder hopefully is breeding for the right reasons and that's to improve the breed. She may not have all the skills to sell puppies and you might have to convince her you'll make a good mama, but if you can, it's really worth it to find a healthy dog who really looks like a yorkie. A well bred yorkie also has a much easier coat to care for.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Please don't perpetuate the puppy mill and other irresponsible breeding programs that pet stores get their puppies from. You will be keeping the chain of misery going by giving them your money and you may get a less than purebred dog and one that has many genetic problems brewing. You think it will break your heart to walk away now? Think how it will hurt when you've had him a while and the problems start and perhaps you lose him then, after you've grown to love him deeply. It could cost you thousands and thousands in medical bills if he has liver shunt or CT or any of the myriad problems irresponsibly-bred Yorkies can have. It's heartbreaking where these puppies come from and these stores don't screen potential owners for worthiness to own a dog at all - they just want to turn a profit. They are not worthy of your business and should be shut down for selling live animals to whoever has the money! Please - find a reputable breeder who breeds only to improve the breed and get one of those puppies or a rescue. Please.

[Verbena]

You have great advice given . the ytca is the best place to go for reputable breeders. I sent you a pm

[Piddle Place]

LOL Petland used to be considered a Puppy Mill, but certainly has changed that reputation. I know lots of great dogs that have come from there. What ever happened with your Yorkie?

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Piddle Place

LOL Petland used to be considered a Puppy Mill, but certainly has changed that reputation. I know lots of great dogs that have come from there. What ever happened with your Yorkie?

Petland gets there pups from puppy mills. No reputable breeder will sell there dogs to a pet store to sell.

[Piddle Place]

OMG are you serious? I had NO idea. I thought they changed this process years ago when it was all over the news. I went into Petland for food, and they told me their dogs came from well know breeders. How do I find out more on this?

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Piddle Place

OMG are you serious? I had NO idea. I thought they changed this process years ago when it was all over the news. I went into Petland for food, and they told me their dogs came from well know breeders. How do I find out more on this?

It's just a known fact that reputable breeders want to have a puppy application filled out and have lots of info they like to get from the possible buyer before deciding if they will let that person purchase one of there pups. Pet stores will tell you that lie though to try and get you to purchase one of there dogs.

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by BisBatt

That's just it! I'm a newbie and I'm having a hard time figuring out WHO is reputable and who is not. I'm reluctant to buy from an out of state breeder - I want to meet the puppy before I purchase it. I'm struggling to find the right breeder in Michigan. Is it safe to assume if the breeder provides AKC registration - then they are "reputable"?

Petland is the worst place to get a puppy - it's so hard to walk away but they don't care on bit about those dogs and it only keeps the mills breeding more...

Best thing you can do is try to find someone here in your area if you can .....but please try to stay out of Petland. I wouldn';t even buy a toenail clipper in that place.

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by Drudi

I did the unthinkable, I got my pup at a flea market, then I found yorkie talk,wished I had found it sooner. My pup is healthy for now but I'm very worried about the future, I still can't bring myself to watch the videos of the puppy mills. Glad I found this forum so I can read and try everything possible to keep him healthy. Please think about it and keep reading the great advise your getting from real dog lovers.

You are very lucky - back in Houston a flea market sold pets and someone I heard about bought one - that poor baby had parvo as did all of them - death sentence right there and yes - that person lost her puppy to it.

You all got great advise!! TAKE YOUR TIME!!


PS - PETLAND is Puppy Mills biggest customer as far as pet stores - Very well known and too bad are still allowed to sell live animals - I wish they were run out of business!

[Piddle Place]

thank you until I saw your post, I had no reason to research this....you are right! Wow

[gracielove]

While I am sure the pup was adorable, as all pups are, but enriching the people who abuse animals as puppy mills do is not something I would want to be a part of. The parents of that poor pup remain locked in filthy, tiny cages having no interaction with people except a dish slipped in a slot once a day.

You can get a nice pup from a reputable breeder for about $1200.00. Contact your local AKC sanctioned dog conformation club:
American Kennel Club - Club Search and Directory

They have breeder referral people who will give you names of reputable breeders in your region.

[scrapindee]

I know a great Biewer breeder in Michigam. For $2,000 you can do much than a puppymill puppy.

Send me an email if you want information, dee@houseofwgs.com

[yorkiemini]

A 4 hour or 9 hour drive to a reputable breeder is nothing - bear in mind you are going into about a 15 year relationship with this pup. This should not be a split second emotional decision. Buy the breeder first - then get the dog. If you have to wait consider all those years you will have to love your baby who is well bred and healthy.

[jeane]

I flew from Montana to Michigan to get my New baby from Breny green// it was worth it// he is a dream

[ChibiLuv]

I got one of my pups from petland because I was drawn into the same trap you are finding yourself in. I was impatient and irresponsible. I have been lucky so far on the health but I often wish I would have waited. You never know, sometimes even puppies end up in rescues. Please take your time and do your research. You will be glad you did later!