Special tests for pet store puppy?
 

I have always been a big advocate against puppy store puppies and kittens. I always encourage people to find a reputable breeder and research the breed.

That being said, we made what could be called a poor decision when my family wanted to visit Petland on Christmas Eve. We completely got caught up in the excitement and purchased our little Riley. "Blindsighted" is the word my husband uses.

After reading Kami999's post about her sick puppy and the info in that post about Petland, I am very upset. My sister had always told me that Petland buys only from breeders, and the guy we worked with that day even gave us some basic information on the breeder (name, location, etc.). While I knew it wasn't the best idea, I thought we were going at least a slightly better route. I'm crushed to find out we were wrong, but at the same time we are so thrilled to have her in our family.

I'm concerned now about her future health. I know there are others here who have raised pet store puppies. Are there any special tests we should know about? Who here has raised a healthy pet store puppy?

Updated photos to post on Riley? ;)
 

Healthy pet store puppies exist.
I just wouldn't complete their genetic cycle ness. and breed her.

So I personally wouldn't worry about her health unless you're seeing specific symtoms of their being a complication! Relax and enjoy her.

I think one of the biggest crimes is that PetStores charge such a ridiculous price, especially for the quality and contracts they supply w/ their pups.
However, w/ that said, what's done is done and you're in love. So, just enjoy her and do your best to not repeat this EVEN IF you got lucky and she turns out to be the BEST Yorkie you've ever owned. Lightning rarely strikes twice.

:aimeeyork

Oh, no worries. She will be spayed. I am by no means a breeder nor do I want to play one.

We did receive a 3-year health guarantee and a 14-day viral period. She has a cold and is on antibiotics and such, but we haven't paid a cent. Our fur family is now complete; we won't be buying another puppy. And I know better now than to get caught up in it all.

Thank you for the encouraging words. Our 3 year-old is so amazing; she's had some health issues but came from a great breeder and family. We're praying for the same outlook for our new girl.

We purchased our minature dachshund Bela at a pet store. I made the mistake of going in and then of course holding her and it was a done deal! She was very sick. She had respitory problems which required daily trips to the vet for breathing treatments for 3 weeks and 3 more weeks of follow-up appts. She also had demadex mites. The good thing was the pet store paid for all the vet bills regarding the illnesses. However that being said she is now 1 yr. old and the picture of health. I will never again enter a pet store. I know myself well enough to know that I would do it again. We rescued our Yorkie, Lugosi and that is what I will do from now on. Knowing that we saved her life makes her so special to us. Whether from a pet store or rescue these little guys just grab our hearts and end up owning us.
Don't beat yourself up about your decision, it happens. Just make sure she is healthy and love her!

Jazzie is a pet store puppy. We are fortunate to have gotten a wonderful & healthy baby. She is now 9 years old and the only health problem she had is her allergies.

When we got her registered with AKC and got her pedegree, we were suprised that she had champion blood in her.

I did trace where she came from and she is from a mill - :cry: I'm just glad they didn't keep her as a breeding stock and she ended up with us.

Congratulation on your new baby. I hope she is healthy and brings lots of laughter and love into your lives.

PS: Where's the picture???

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: Great posting.

Everybody makes those kinds of mistakes. That's why I hate going into petstores, but like an idiot, I still do it b/c I can't afford another pup. But seeing them or playing with them and putting them back? It's torture. So, don't get down on yourself. Treat your new baby as you would any other pup and he will be fine. How do I know? Because Baby is a petstore pup. I was SO lucky that she was not sick when I got her. I got scared too, b/c I told one of my students that I got Baby at Shake a Paw and she said that so many sick pups come from there. Baby wasn't sick. She's now 1 year 3 months, and she is a beautiful, healthy girl. She's not the weight they told me (she's 10lbs), but I can care less!! Good luck, and don't dwell in the fact that he's a Petland baby. Lots of petstore pups didn't come from a healthy environment, but they can have healthy lives. ;)

Hey Misspenny- good post...

for those out there who don't know about pet stores I can easily see falling in love...but it's such a vicious circle - do we save the puppies already there or walk away ?? When the stats say 98% or higher buy from puppy mills - I personally couldn't support mills by buying from them. I'm all for a ban and wish Pet Stores would just sell supplies and fish...but - I'm glad your puppy is healthy & glad for anyone else who has a healthy puppy from a Pet store - but my heart breaks for those who bought sick little puppies....

I don't think there's any special tests to determine any genetic problems - but it's too bad pet stores aren't forced to tell up front where these puppies came from - People are very under informed about mills.

This country needs to take a much stronger stand against them and get the poor mill dogs help and stricter regulations.

ps...I saw yesterday people thought kami999 was getting lectured - I personally wouldn't lecture anyone who purchased a pet store puppy - I totally understand how anyone can walk in and fall in love - but this site is the BEST place to share the dark side of pet stores and it can't be said enough....it's kind of like what's happening with the word TEACUP on this site - people are using it and those who know there is no such thing don't even bother speaking up anymore - they get jumped on if they say anything - I'm kind of dissapointed because this site should be about sharing informaion. Helping spread the word about Puppy Mills is imortant - and helping those who don't realize there is no teacup yorkie should be told that also...

Just waych for any signs of illness and get him to the vet, My pom is a pet store puppy and has been relitively healthy she just grew much bigger and has a snappy temperment. I hope you got lucky and got a healthy one.

I just wanna say you little one is really cute! Good look with your little one! Try not to smother him toooo much in kisses! LOL

I have some pics of our girl in the My Yorkie section under "Riley pics." Of course, we have today off, and I'm sure I will be snapping plenty more!

--

Thank you all for your encouragement and understanding. I went into the store saying no, looked at them saying no, walking into the petting/holding area saying no... and then met little Riley. I was done for. However poor our decision, I think she came to us for a special reason.

I think if your vet checks it out-good heart, no tummy problems and it is active and running around, you are ok.
I made that mistake of buying from a really nice lady-but she owned more than 75 dogs :( the puppy was fine, harder to potty train b/c it had been in a cage all it's life, but she was VERY loving and outgoing as a puppy...

ps-I bought another this month from what I would have considered a reputable breeder non puppy store -in home with about 7 yorkies running around in diapers and when the vet checked her -he glaned at her tummy and noticed right away that she had an inguinal hernia :( which is hereditary.
so sometimes, even breeders have bad luck with puppies...
You might try a search on google with the breeders name, I found a lot of information that way during my search for a new puppy.

Not knowing what we know now Grayson came from Petland we had called lots of breeders in our area and were planning on visiting them then we decided to go and take a look and well Grayson came home the next day. Grayson went to the vet the very next day and came out with a clean bill of health. I havn't sent in his paper work as we just got a week ago (they lost everything couldn't find record of him being sold) UGH that is my beef and I would never recommened that place to anybody. I have been in there a time or too and my husband has told me I was rude but I told him I said outl oud what you thought!

Now I know better and next pup will come from a YT member. We didn't discover YT until after we had Grayson, wish I had discovered it first but then I wouldn't have my sweetie pie

You can fill out this form and get all the information on where your pup came from. Its only for pups that are bought from a pet shop
http://www.petshoppuppies.com/request.asp

Thanks for this!! I'm gonna do it!