Do I have enough proof that my dog did not come from a puppy mill?

Question

I bought my dog a year ago (shame on me for not going to a shelter) from a petstore in the mall I worked at. She had been there for six months and I couldn't bear to see her there anymore. Well, a year later and I'm beginning to wonder if she might have come from a puppy mill. I have her AKC papers and her parent's names and the "breeders" name. If I have this information, does that mean she's definitely not from a mill? Or is there a way that mill puppies can have papers like this? If she is a mill puppy, does that mean higher risk of disease in the future? I love her to death anyhow, I just want to know what terrors I may have to expect if she is in fact a puppy mill dog.

Answer 1

No, it doesn't guarantee that the puppy was not from a puppy mill. But with that info you can find out for certain at this site:

http://www.petshoppuppies.org/psppuppyre...

Answer 2

yes puppy mills can have registered dogs.  all my dogs were registered with papers.  some from breeders and some from pet stores.  they were all pet quality not show quality.  they were never bred as i just wanted a pet.  but others would take them and breed them as much as they could to sell puppies and make money.  not worrying about the quality but quantity.

my parents brought me a papillon from a mall store and i wouldn't trade her for anything.  but yes i believe that she is a puppy mill baby.

learned a couple of months ago my aunt knows a good breeder of papillons and i could have got a good one for less and house broke to boot.  but mom and dad saw a cute puppy that they didn't have any idea what she was but she was cute.

spook sends lots of licks.

Answer 3

If she came from a pet store, she is more than likely a puppy mill dog.

Don't worry about that though...just love her.

Puppy mill dogs ARE more prone to genetic health issues.

Answer 4

it is possible she is still from a mill. 99% of all pet store pups are from mills cus ppl fuel that economy by buying them...but if u really want to know, track down the "breeder" and go visit them. if they give u a hard time or wont allow you to come, red flag!!! but its probably a mill pup

Answer 5

See if you can get ahold of those people that are the breeders on your paper work.  Track em down and see if you can go visit.  If they say, no or put you off, then definitely.  She probably is anyway and it depends on what kind of dog she is as to what kind of problems to expect.  Hey, you saved her anyway.  It's a sticky situation.

Answer 6

Sorry, but ALL dogs in stores come from mills. Reputable breeders wouldn't have someone else selling their dogs, period. They do it themselves to be sure the pups go to the right homes - pet stores sell to anyone willing to pay without doing any sort of background checks or compatibility checks.

Yes, her chances of having genetic problems later in life are higher - MOST (like 99%) mills do not genetic screen their dogs, simply because it costs money. MOST (again, around 99%) mills keep their dogs in deplorable conditions AGAIN because it costs money to keep them properly. How would they profit if they had to actually care for the dogs? (Roll eyes here...)

If you're worried you could try to have your vet (or have him recommend someone) that could do genetic testing on your pup at two years old. That way you'll know if you have to look forward to any problems. Some issues can develop due to the parent dogs poor conditions, but serious genetic problems can be found at two years of age.

Answer 7

If you have the name of the breeders look them up.  Find their phone number and/or address and go out to their home.  If they have a large amount of dogs or many different breeds there is a very good chance that they are a puppy mill.  Just because they gave you the breeders info does not not mean that they aren't a puppy mill.  But there is nothing you can do about your puppy's origins now.  She is yours and I'm sure you love her.  I would also, when you see the breeders, ask to see her parents and ask them for numbers to other owners and talk to them about the health problems of their dogs.  If you see something or have a bad feeling about something, do not be afraid to talk to your humane society or animal rescue.

Answer 8

Even if the pup came with breeder names and registration, that is (unfortunately) no proof that she did not come from a puppy mill. Since you got her from a pet store, she probably was a mill pup.

She is likely a higher risk for future problems, more-so than a pup which comes from health-tested parents. The specific problems will depend on her breed(s).

Don't worry about it too much though. You know better now, and you wont buy a pet store pup again. Make your dog's life as happy as you can, as the mistake has already been made.

Answer 9

Hello,

Unfortunately your puppy is most definitely a puppy mill/commercial kennel puppy. The fact remains that good breeders absolutely refuse to sell their puppies to pet stores. Most backyard breeders won't even sell to pet stores.

The good news is that the health of your puppy could be perfectly fine - just because it came from a puppy mill doesn't necessarily mean it will end up diseased.

Say a prayer for the parents of your puppy though, because I am sure they are suffering a horrific life.

Good luck.

Answer 10

It could be possible that she is a mill puppy. If she is the biggest thing I would look for is signs of being inbred. You can talk to your vet about it.

Answer 11

As an employee of PetSmart, I see this thing all the time. Pets and their owners often have great relationships, but usually something is missing. I sit them down for 45-minute sessions where they focus on reverse role-playing to enhance their communication skills.

I suggest that you develop a more personal relationship with your pet. Include your pet with your activities - next time your having cosmopolitans don't be afraid to call your favorite pet up for a night on the town. When it comes down to the puppy mill question, there is a simple solution: have you tried just asking the dog?

Answer 12

Most petstores do not sell registered pups, so that's interesting.  Although all that's required for AKC registration is that the parents be AKC registered, so that in itself doesn't rule out the puppymill (or back yard breeder, sometimes worse than puppymill IMO in their ignorance).

Each dog is an individual, so the health problems you encounter will be hard to predict.  You don't know her past so the best you can do is take good care of her, get her to the vet at the first signs of anything concerning, and love her :).

Answer 13

OH, PLEASE just because a puppy is bought at a pet store does not mean it came from a puppy mill.  Many USDA licensed breeders sell to pet stores. A reputable breeder is both state and USDA licensed and my handle more than one breed. They are inspected by the USDA, State and a vet on a regular basis. If they run AKC registration they are also open to their inspection. If in doubt call the breeder or write them a letter they would be more than happy to talk to you and if you live close enough maybe go out and see their kennel.

  People throw out the word puppymill just beause they think they sound intelligent do yopur research and see what a real puppymill looks like and get off your high horse.

Answer 14

If she came from a store then she is definitely puppy mill.  Yes they can still have papers and still be from mills.  It doesn't mean she's at a higher risk for disease it means she's at a higher risk for hereditary problems due to over-breeding of the female.  If she is healthy and well cared for then I wouldn't over stress yourself.  She may be perfectly fine and you'll have no issues with her.  Just have routine blood tests done to rule out any hereditary problems that you might encounter later in life.

Good luck