9 Signs That Your Dog Came From a Puppy Mill

The extent of inbreeding in purebred dogs and how this reduces their genetic variation is revealed in a new study by Imperial College London researchers. Inbreeding puts dogs at risk of birth defects and genetically inherited health problems.

Here are some red flags that indicate a puppy mill in action:

1. The seller has many different types of purebred dogs, or “designer” hybrid breeds.
2. Puppies are being sold at less than six weeks old.
3. The seller/breeder is located “in another state” and will ship a puppy without an in-person meeting first.

1. Puppies Are Unclean or Unhealthy.
2. Puppies Aren’t Vaccinated.
3. Puppy Mill Owners Won’t Meet You At Home.
4. Puppy’s Parents Aren’t Present.
5. Pet Store Puppies are Usually from Mills.
6. Multiple Breeds are Available.
7. Many Litters Can Be Found.
8. Mill Puppies Have Behavior Issues.

Backyard breeding and puppy mills Unlicensed backyard breeders usually work out of their homes for profit — the worst neglect the breeding dogs’ welfare, allowing poor healthcare and living conditions for the sake of profit.

Turner says a good breeder should:

1. Be very knowledgable about the breed.
2. Ask you several questions about yourself, your lifestyle, and your family situation.
3. Be concerned about the animal for a lifetime.
4. Keep puppies or kittens until they’re at least 6 weeks old.
5. Provide references.
6. Provide lots of information.

10 Signs of a Good Breeder

1. You’ll meet the breeder in person.
2. The breeder will have lots of questions for you.
3. You’ll meet the father and mother.
4. You’ll see the facilities.
5. There won’t be lots of different breeds available.
6. You may have to wait for a puppy.

Here are some tips to avoid adopting from a puppy mill:

1. Avoid pet stores, newspaper ads, and great deals online! Many puppy mills supply local pet stores with false information.
2. Visit the breeder and ask questions! Ask to see the entire facility where the dogs are bred and kept.
3. Adopt from a shelter or rescue instead!

A breeder with a reputation for taking care of their dogs is a great place to start. Ask friends, family, breed clubs, training clubs or your local vet to see if they have any recommendations. If the breeder is claiming that their puppies are registered with The Kennel Club, be sure to check that this is correct.

Christopher Woodhouse. Pet shops in England are using breeding licences held in Northern Ireland to get around a law banning puppy farms. Two English businesses, Douglas Hall and Kelly’s Kennels, are registered as pet shops with dog breeding licences issued in Co Tyrone.

Technically there’s no limit to how many times a male dog can sire a litter. Responsible breeders wait at least a day between breedings as breeding every day can affect the quality and quantity of the sperm. Some breeders will wait up to six to eight weeks to ensure a healthy and successful breeding.