Everyone loves puppies.
Getting your first dog is a great adventure for any soon-to-be fur-parent. But have you ever wondered where puppies in pet stores come from?
Have you considered buying from a breeder you happened upon online? Do you think the teacup Pomeranian you’ve seen pictures of is too cute to let go?
Well, unfortunately, puppy mills are still a prevalent thing in the dog breeding world. And many times they scam first time dog owners into purchasing a sickly dog that may have lifelong health and behavior issues.
Don’t get caught in those scams. Here are 9 ways to see if that sweet puppy is from a puppy mill.
1. Puppies Are Unclean or Unhealthy
The first sign that your dream puppy is from a mill is how clean it may be. Or as is often the case, unclean. Mill puppies usually have poor hygiene habits.
They have spent their entire lives in a cage. And their coats are usually really poor quality.
2. Puppies Aren’t Vaccinated
When choosing your first dog it’s always a good idea to pick one up from a breeder who has made sure to vaccinate their litters. Mills often do not give even this basic care to their products.
Make sure you get all paperwork from the owner, proving the puppy has been seen by a vet and given the care it needs.
3. Puppy Mill Owners Won’t Meet You At Home
Puppy mill breeders will rarely meet prospective buyers at their homes. Meeting a seller in a parking lot is always a huge red flag and should be avoided. Mills are notoriously filthy and unhealthy.
Letting buyers see their place of business could potentially put them out of business. Or worse, have the authorities knocking on their doors.
4. Puppy’s Parents Aren’t Present
If a mill is offering a purebred dog, ask to see the parents. Chances are this will not happen.
Mills rarely offer papered purebreds. If the mill owner refuses to let you see the mother or father of the dog you’re interested in buying, it’s time to go. Reputable breeders will always have documented proof of a puppy’s ancestry.
5. Pet Store Puppies are Usually from Mills
This has become common knowledge over the years. Puppies in pet stores are usually from puppy mills. They are usually unhealthy and uncared for.
They may be cute to look at but it is not recommended to buy a dog from one of these businesses.
6. Multiple Breeds are Available
Puppy mills rarely offer single breeds. They will often offer anywhere from 3 to a dozen different “fashion” breeds. If you find a place that offers multiple breeds (and the mixed versions of those breeds) it’s a mill and you should avoid them.
7. Many Litters Can Be Found
Like the above sign, finding a place that offers many, many litters of multiple breeds is usually a sign that this place is a mill. If an owner has twenty litters, that could be a mill.
8. Mill Puppies Have Behavior Issues
Mill puppies are very rarely socialized. They can have behavior issues like aggression and anxiety. These dogs will also be extremely difficult to potty train. Puppies from mills will not like to be touched.
If you have children, be careful leaving them with a mill puppy.
9. Puppies are Too Young to Leave Mother
The saddest part of puppy mills is that often these puppies are taken from their mothers too young. Puppies should always stay with their mother until they’re 8 weeks old.
If the puppy you’re interested in buying is too young he could become extremely aggressive and could have some lasting psychological issues you will not be able to overcome.
Always Ask Your Vet Before Purchasing a “Too-Good to be True” Puppy
When choosing a puppy you’d like to introduce to your home, be sure to find a good breeder.
Keeping in mind what puppy mill puppies look will help you find the right dog for your family. And when you think you’ve found your perfect puppy, contact us. We will help you set up a vaccination schedule for your puppy and find the right food for your dog.