questioning a breeder (puppymills)

So I have been helping my mother find a sheltie puppy. I am doing my best to find a reputable breeder. Yesterday in Newsday a lady had sheltie puppies advertised. My mother called and asked none of the questions I told her to ask to see if this was a puppymill. Now cutting to the chase this is what she said about her puppies:

She only has two one male (14 weeks) and one female (16 weeks). Is this odd to have 2 puppies at different ages for adoption?

The puppies are upstae in the catskills at mainstay kennels ( I looked them up and they are breeders but no website. I also contacted them and no answer yet) If this woman breed one of her 5 shelties with this kennel would they be upstate and then shipped down?

She stated that the dogs are on the small size and those are the ones they adopt out for companionship and not showmanship. My mom asked if she was a runt and the lady said no they can just tell that the dogs will be smaller based on a growth cart?????

Of course my mom did not ask about genetic testing, spay/neuter contract, etc. (after all my hard work to educate her!!) Yet the "breeder" did not say anything about these proccedures.

So What do you think puppymill or backyard breeder?

I am just trying to get my mom a dog that hopefully won't have the issues that sadie had and my mom wont be heart broken after 11 years!

Thanks!

Re: questioning a breeder (puppymills)

I am not an expert -- ask reggie or Lolita or other -- but to me, that sounds shady. A reputable breeder would talk about health tests, parents' health, and health guarantees first and foremost IMO. They also should have CH (champion) dogs as parents or grandparents. I would look elsewhere. Contact the AKC and ask for a list of reputable breeders or go through the purebreed club. Good luck

ETA: I also do not think you will find a reputable breeder advertising in the newspaper or one of those online puppy buying websites.

Message edited 10/22/2006 11:47:18 AM.

Re: questioning a breeder (puppymills)

SOUNDS VEERRRRYYYY Shady! Def. investigate more!

How about trying a rescue...look at this baby, right here on Long Island...

Sheltie baby

GOOD LUCK!

Re: questioning a breeder (puppymills)

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Def sounds shady. Do not go there.

I would report them to the local spca and have them investigate the health and well being of the dogs. A lot of those places are filthy and the dogs are not treated well.


Please don't buy while others die.

Adopt or rescue a shelter dog today

pup

petfinders

Message edited 10/22/2006 8:21:37 PM.

Re: questioning a breeder (puppymills)

Thanks guys! I have been talking to quite a few rep. breeders and we are waiting for litters. My mom just ran across this woman in the paper and was asking if it sounded shady. I said it did but I just wanted to make sure. We are going to a breeder in Conn. on Saturday (rec. by AKC and ASSA). I have been searching petfinder for the last 3 months and contacted the sheltie rescue.

Re: questioning a breeder (puppymills)

At best they are a BYB. 2 different ages? No mention of testing or health records. No good. Run.

Try to check out petfinder.org. I found my purebred chihuahua and my purebred Ainu dog on there.

Good luck. Always try to adopt first for a companion dog!

Re: questioning a breeder (puppymills)

BYB. definatly. bybs are common upsate....

if u want a list of reputable breeders check the akc lists. good luck!!!!