Do your Research - Amish Puppy mill!

[Cderr]

Hello all,

I just have to vent a little. As you may be aware I have been looking for a puggle for awhile now. Looking for breeders then thought about adopting and then back to getting the right breeder. I have been communicating with a wonderful breeder in Western NY that has been excellent at communicating with me and sharing information, etc. (I had an appt for sat @ 1 to visit - 3 hrs away)

Then the other day my b/f got a number from a friend who got it out of the paper saying - puggles - shots and wormed - ready to go. I contacted the number and it was an answering service (hmm that's weird. ) left a msg. He called back later and I asked him a few quick questions and made an appointment to go up(2 hrs away) to look at the pups. This is where I should have been more diligent and asked way more questions!

Unfortunately my b/f got called in to work so we had to cancel our trip. I feared that we'd lose out on both pups if we didn't make a decision and a call to one of the breeder right away. So we made a quick (BAD) decision we'd go with the 2nd breeder as he was closer and less expensive (by $200). I left another msg.

But something was eating at me! Something just didn't feel right. He was a farmer and when I asked ow many males he had, as that was my preference, he said he THOUGHT he had one. Ahhh! Shouldn't he KNOW!

So it finally hit me that an acquaintance at my b/f's work is a breeder of American Bulldogs. I called her for some advice from a breeders perspective, I thought she might be think of something I hadn't. She had lots to say and when I mentioned where he was located she told me that a person she works with at her other job is from the same town and was a farmer as well! She said she could make a quick call and see what she can find out about the guy. I was so excited. Four minutes after hanging up she called back with the news - Amish puppy mill-er, FORGET IT! WOW I was so RELIEVED and sad at the same time. I was feeling horrible for the puppy at the farm but feeling good about the fact that I did that little extra bit of research in order to get a healthy puppy from a reputable breeder.

I guess I was a bit upset too. I did just watch the Oprah about the puppy mills again. And I'm wondering what can we do about the puppy mill-ers out there and do the Amish "breeders" monitored as well? So confused about the whole thing!

I'm sorry this is a rambling rant and really had nothing much to say but serve as a warning to make sure to really truly do your research!

Thanks for listening.

Christi

[Admin]

May 31, 2008 17:09:13 GMT -5 Cderr said:

But something was eating at me! Something just didn't feel right.

Your inner voice. Always listen to it, it's usually right.

Thank you for sharing your story.

[ZadicksMommy]

are you saying Amish Puggles is a puppy mill? I only ask because that's where I got my puggle from and they seemed so nice and they took such good care of the puppies...please if you have more information b/c we were going to go back to them for another eventually but if this is true I will not

[Cderr]

I don't know anything about "amish puggles" as a particular seller but this particular man in upstate NY was. I can't speak to all amish breeders I just know about this particular incident and the info was given. If you've been there to visit the parents and all go with your gut, that's what I learned.
Christi

[ZadicksMommy]

oh ok, I was just concerned. But yes they were lovely people and my puggle is doing great...I would recommend them, they are in NY as well

[Roost400ex]

I know how you feel. It's a very deflating experience to be looking forward to getting your puppy only to find out that it's really suspicious breeder. But it's so much better to wait and get one from someone that you're comfortable with and not having to worry. Did you end up getting one from that place that was farther away after all?

[Sunny215]

I got my from a puppy mill I think. He was only $100 because he was the last one left. When I first got him he had a cough for a while but it has gone away and had blood work done and he is healthy as can be. it is really sad that people only see the dogs as a money maker rather than someones best friend. On the news tonight there was a couple being charged with animal cruelty. They cut the puppy's ears off using scissors and no anesthesia. I almost threw up because they showed pictures. How could someone do that?

[KentuckyPuggles]

I'm certainly not grouping all Amish together by this next statement but many Amish raise a large qty of pups and supply the brokers with them. They sell low and the brokers grab up the pups and resell at a higher price. The only real comment I can make is to ask your breeder questions about the parents, ask to see the parents, etc. If your breeder is a broker, they may have trouble answering your questions. If the parents of a pup are registered, you can get the registration # and check them out with the association. They won't give you a ton of information but you may be able to confirm who actually owns the parents. They won't always be registered under a kennel's name but by owner name. Any breeder must have their own dogs in their own name if they register the pups - even a partnership must have dogs in one partner's name. In your haste to adopt a pup always ask the breeder/owner questions so you gain a level of comfort. If they're honest, they'll answer your questions. Most importantly listen to your gut. It's seldom wrong. If someone is a good breeder, they'll fill you with more information than you probably want to know. Someone just wanting to unload pups will talk about lower prices and will push you to adopt in some way.

[Jarzy85]

Christi,
I stumbled across your post and this worries me a lot! I am from Buffalo and I have been in talks with Amish puggles to go and visit their puppies. The woman seems extremely nice and I did do some reading about the amish and puppy mills. I fully intend to ask to see the dam and sire (mother and father) and drill the heck out of any breeder that I deal with. They are near Ithaca and I also see that someone has gotten their puppy from them. Should I waste my time going to visit the puppies? I want to make an informed decision and make sure that I was getting this puppy from the best possible place. Any further information would be greatly appreciated! I just want to do the right thing and I could use all the help that I can get.

[Admin]

Jarzy85,

Check out How to Find a Reputable Breeder particularly the post by Kentucky Puggles.

[ZadicksMommy]

Jarzi85,

Hello. I bought my puppy from Amish Puggles, and I thought they were lovely people. Our dog is now a little over one year old and he is doing fabulously. I would actually reccommend Amish Puggles to anyone. Our experience with Bernadette was great, she was incredibly pleasant and patient with us. We drove out to the farm from boston!
Hope this was helpful! if you check the website you will see my boyfriend's and I's picture with out little Zadick.
Best of Luck with your puppy.