How to Spot a Puppy Mill Breeder

Ever wonder where that cute puppy in the pet store window or on the internet came from? You may not want to know the answer. Without sufficient oversight of commercial dog breeders, dogs can be legally kept in very poor conditions. Before you purchase a dog on impulse, keep on the lookout for these signs of a puppy mill breeder to avoid supporting a business that sells puppies purely for profit.

• The exact definition of what constitutes a puppy mill varies depending on state and local laws. The ASPCA considers 10 breeding dogs on a property a small puppy mill with larger scale operations housing as many as 1,000 breeding dogs. Some breeders have found a way to lower their numbers of dogs on site by having “guardians” co-own dogs that are returned for the birth and sale of the puppies.
• The states with the most puppy mills include Missouri, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and upstate New York, with the highest concentrations of commercial dog breeding coming out of Amish and Mennonite communities. The ASPCA provides additional information on puppy mills.
• Online sales are very popular and misleading to the consumer. Many internet sites trick people into thinking they are buying from a “breeder” but instead are purchasing from a broker who is selling puppies from a puppy mill. Many puppy mills or brokers state “we are not a puppy mill” on their website. Carefully investigate websites for clues on the number of breedings per year.
• Always take the time to go to the breeding facility. Even if it requires a bit of travel, it will be worth it to ensure purchase from a reputable breeder. Puppy mill breeders may deny requests to visit their facility or offer to ship a puppy or meet at a random location. Think twice about purchasing if the breeder will not allow you to go to their facility or insist they will deliver to you at a parking lot or other public location.
• At a minimum, check the offa.org and https://www.ofa.org/diseases/eye-certification databases to determine if genetic testing is being conducted on the parents of your puppy. Dogs with genetic diseases cost consumers millions of dollars every year.
• Puppies from puppy mills may also inherit unwanted temperament problems. When visiting the facility, determine the temperament of the mother and father of your potential puppy. Both of the parents should be friendly. A “shy” puppy is more likely to develop problems with fear, aggression, or anxiety.

Finding a reputable breeder will definitely take more time and effort but the reward is well worth the work. Puppies from breeders often cost less than a puppy mill dog for a much better product. Read our article, “8 Tips for Selecting a Quality Breeder” for more information.