Disreputable Breeders

   As with many rescues , we find ourselves taking into our care many dogs bought as puppies from pet shops and disreputable breeders. Such dogs often have more health and behavioural problems because of thoughtless and irresponsible breeding practices . Also , the vast majority of pet shops that sell puppies are supplied by cruel puppy mills , so buying puppies from pet shops is funding this cruel industry .
 
  Across the UK and US alone millions of loving , rehomable dogs are destroyed every year because not enough people adopt and too many people buy. This encourages people to breed dogs irresponsibly to make money and causes many dogs to be put to death . You can choose to adopt a rescue dog and actually save a life , or you can buy a dog , adding to the already huge dog overpopulation. If you choose to do the latter it is vitally important to find a reputable and responsible breeder .

  Many irresponsible 'backyard breeders' present themselves as respectable , responsible, reputable breeders . You have to be vigilant and very careful . If you are not, you can end up with huge vetinerary expenses as hereditary conditions are often not covered by insurance because they are pre-existing.

  If you are looking for a certain breed , there are many dog rescues dedicated to specific breeds and it is definitely worth considering getting your dog from one of those instead
(see www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/public/findarescue/Default.aspx for just a few of the many there are). There is sometimes the misconception that dogs who end up in rescues do so because there is something wrong with them . This is incorrect. The vast majority are there because the owners' circumstances changed so that they could no longer give their dog the care needed , or the owners were simply irresponsible.

  See below for what you can expect from a reputable breeder .  WARNING : It is a common scam for disreputable breeders to have fake 'papers' with their puppies , saying they are pedigree pure bred in order to charge more money.

  - A reputable breeder will always have a full list of waiting homes for all their puppies BEFORE the puppies are even conceived.

  - They never have to advertise puppies , as they would never be irresponsible enough to breed them without already having homes for them.

  - They will not breed the mother dog too often as they would not want her health to suffer.

  - They ALWAYS do the vital health checks on the breeding parent dogs and examine their family histories , to check that they will not be passing down defective genes / conditions.

  - They carry out health checks specific to the breed.

  - They get all the puppies health checked , vaccinated and micro-chipped.

  - They would never wean them from their mothers too early.

  - They check the homes the puppies are going to are good homes.

  - Because of the cost of responsible breeding , they breed more for the love of the breed and trying to breed problems out of it rather than for money. It is irresponsible breeders who make money through reckless breeding and cutting corners , then leave the new owners and innocent puppies with the resulting problems.

  For further information :

  To find Accredited Breeders :- http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/buying/index.html

  RSPCA Puppy Guide :- http://www.getpuppysmart.com

  Dogs Trust Guide :- http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/az/b/buyingadog/default.aspx

  BBC Report :- http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/east/series6/pup_advice.shtml