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Puppy mills are commercial dog-breeding operations – some on a massive scale, others are Mom-Pop backyard, basement or garage set-ups. It doesn’t matter which. Profit is given precedence over quality. The physical, mental and social well being of the puppies and breeding stock dogs are not important. All that matters is the bottom line.

Puppy mills are commercial dog-breeding operations – some on a massive scale, others are Mom-Pop backyard, basement or garage set-ups. It doesn’t matter which. Profit is given precedence over quality. The physical, mental and social well being of the puppies and breeding stock dogs are not important. All that matters is the bottom line.Responsible breeders place priority on producing the healthiest, happiest, and most well adjusted puppies achievable; sparing no expense. Just the opposite is true for breeding at puppy mills.

There is NO consideration of genetic quality, mental/physical health, and/or socialization. Puppy mills are shocking. The fact there is not more outcry to shut them down, and punish the owners, is reprehensible. There is little to no concern for the health and well being of breeding stock dogs or their puppies. The, pet, goal is to get as many puppies out of a breeding pair as cheaply as possible. Quality food is an unnecessary expense. Medical attention is an unnecessary expense. Sanitation is an unnecessary expense.

Their indifference results in one generation after another of dogs with socialization and behavior problems, various chronic health issues, and gruesome genetic defects. The breeding combinations are despicable. Mothers are bred with sons. Fathers are bred with daughters. Brothers bred with sisters. Aunts bred with nephews. Uncles bred with nieces. Cousins bred with cousins. In-breeding or line breeding it doesn’t matter to a selfish puppy mill owner. The sole purpose of a puppy mill is to get rid of as many puppies for the highest price possible.

Sadly, countless puppies are culled (killed, usually inhumanely) for such defects as misshaped ears, tails, or legs. They are also destroyed for obvious breed disqualifications such as wrong coat color or pattern or wrong eye color. Many are born deaf or blind or so full of worms, nothing can be done to save them. Others are sold knowingly, with heartworm, or other parasitic diseases because they are kept in filthy outside cages or kennels. Water buckets are never cleaned. Putrid water can sit for days.

Mosquitoes burst out and thrive around puppy mill, not to mention flies, maggots, lice, mites and ticks!Typically puppy mill puppies are sold through what is called a Class B broker and/or middleman to flea markets, on-line sites and pet shops. The puppy’s new owner often receives promises of receiving pedigree “registration” papers. The majority never receive them…others are falsified.There is absolutely no rational justification for puppy mills.The bulk of them are overcrowded, disease ridden, unsanitary and ruthless.

Most often, the breeding stock once “used up”, if not slaughtered inhumanely or sold to research labs, will live the rest their short lives caged in unsafe, and unsanitary conditions. They will receive the least amount of low quality food necessary to sustain them.Even on the outside chance the breeding stock and their puppies end up in the hands of a Class B broker, they will receive little or no veterinary care, often leading to serious medical problems. Dogs and puppies that have never been socialized with people, especially children commonly have severe behavioral problems.

Regrettably, what happens is, an ill-fated puppy is purchased at a flea market or pet shop; usually by inexperienced dog owning family, who think they are doing the right thing. They are also patting themselves on the back, and blustering about how they saved a few dollars, and didn’t get ripped off by a breeder. The new owner soon finds there are overwhelming on going physical, mental, and behavioral problems and/or health concerns. The expenses climb, and soon go through the roof. Now the puppy that was such a fantastic deal, is no longer wanted or affordable.

It is destroyed, abandoned or surrendered to a shelter or rescue.Meanwhile, for those piteous dogs still back at the puppy mill, when their productivity wanes, they and many of their reject puppies are abandoned, killed or sold to those Class B brokers. The brokers in turn, sell them to research labs. That’s when life really gets rough!Then, the cycle starts all over again!Bottom line: Puppy mills thrive on nothing more than the insatiable greed of the owner and operators. If you are looking for a happy, healthy, well-adjusted puppy, do your homework.

Karen A. Soukiasian, GOOD DOG! – DOG TRAINING – Owner/Trainer, St. Augustine, Florida – AKC CANINE GOOD CITIZEN Evaluator http://www.freewebs.com/gooddogsite

Author: Karen Soukiasian | Source: ezinearticles.com