Stop Puppy Mills.  Do not buy a dog (of any breed) from a pet store. Pet stores get their dogs from puppy mills. Many ads in the paper are also from puppy mills and “backyard breeders”. Puppy mill dogs have higher incidence of inherited medical disorders, can have serious temperament problems, and come from animals raised in deplorable conditions. Information about  puppy mills can be found anywhere on the web (just type in puppy mills).  Only buy dogs only from reputable breeders who care about their dogs, from rescue organizations, or animal shelters.

Recognizing an unethical breeder

When you talk to people about their puppies, there are a few warning signs that you may be dealing with a disreputable, unethical, or irresponsible breeder:

1. The "breeder" lacks knowledge about the breed

2. The "breeder" shows ignorance or denial of genetic defects in the breed

3. The "breeder" has no involvement in dog sports

4. The "breeder" doesn't let you observe the puppies or adults, or let you see the kennels

5. The "breeder" has no documentation and cannot provide a pedigree

6. The puppies are not socialized

A good breeder is someone you can call on for guidance throughout the pups life.