This is in no way an "alert" as to who is a "bad breeder", and who is not.  Nor do we promote "secret pages" or "members only" password protected pages on our site.  This is however an "alert" to types of folks you may want to be wary of.   To those who are frequent visitors of this page, thank you for spending so much time on our site!

The internet is truly one of the greatest things invented.  People can get anything with a simple click of a button from anywhere.  But convenience can be a downfall, as well.  That is part of the reason, convenience, that pet shops and other "undesirables" still operate.   

Just keep in mind, anything can be written on the web by anyone.   Whether good or bad, how much is actually legit or pertains to you, the perspective adopter? 

Such things as "breeder wars", site competition, "good/bad breeder" websites, and line jealousy are nothing more than (the persons doing it/saying it) a highly unimaginative selling ploy, and is being used more and more commonly.  Those that see these things promoted, should be wary of it.  "Bad breeder alerts" work the same way.....sometimes the information is useful, and sometimes it is not. 

A pup and it's breeder should speak for theirselves through no words at all, and not by the use of tactless selling ploys, whether it be in seriousness or "just for fun". 

There is the thing breeders refer to as "breeder wars".   Many times, these are  stories or write ins or message board posts that are just one's good or bad experience - then they have their friends write in, or whatever, and it goes on and on to make it seem as though it is a real claim, whether it is or not.  What's gossip if it is not juicy, so to speak?  This is kept within a circle, and gets bigger like a rubber band ball with each new wrap.   Then the other side gets into it.  And like the old Atari game Pong....  well, you get the point!  The grand word "Jealousy" is used - stating one breeder is jealous over another's lines.  That one makes me laugh, personally.  Everyone's lines go back to a certain few.  With enough information on your pedigree, you just might find the same thing elsewhere, or even in your own!  "Site Competition" - this one is fun.  Certain people check another's site continuously, and pick it apart.  Then they take the info and place it on their own site in a negative way, therefore attempting to down the initial poster.  This is done so "stealing" is not an issue.  This one is very common amongst a few. Lastly, "good/bad breeder" websites... The way I figure it, if you are all for AKC, they have a suspension list.  That right there is internet proof, black and white type.  If you want more hands on experience or facts, check it out yourself.

Take all the opinionated "information" with a grain of salt.  Just like a restaurant...your friend can rave about the greatness of it, you go and it is awful.  Obviously, you both will have a much different opinion, but who is right?  Which one of you has the facts?  Neither ~  you draw your own conclusions.  It is always better to take the time and call, visit, go hands on, and do the leg work yourself.  Do not rely on another's opinion for one of your life choices.

I have heard both sides of whether people should adopt their pups from the internet or not.  I have done both, and do not prefer one way compared to the other - there has been good and bad points with both.  Before you adopt.... Research and speak with the breeder(s), visit their homes if possible.  You should be able to ask most anything of your potential breeder.  Before visiting or speaking to a breeder, you should gather yourself a list of questions that you can refer to if needed.  A breeder should always welcome you to their premises (though they do have schedules, do not be offended)  and answer all your questions, whether it be then or later.  All though you may not be able to go in certain areas (i.e. - nursery) or see the babies for sanitary reasons, you should be able to see most everything else that has to do with dogs. 

Also, something to keep in mind... One of the best times to go breeder visiting is when there are NO puppies.  This way, you are more tuned into your task rather then falling for that cute face.  I will use a pet shop as an example.  Puppies are always available.  Either you walk in and buy because : a.) It was just sooo cute, I couldn't resist; or b.) I had to save that puppy...

 Ask for references from previous puppy owners, what better reference is there? Ask about their general experience, experience with the breed, how the babies and parents are raised, where they are raised. Ask whatever you feel is important.

Just yesterday, (2/7) my mother and I were in the mall shopping for some clothes, when we passed by it...yea, you know, the "pet store".  Of course, I just had to go in, I am a sucker for my own punishment.  There she was, stuck in a wire cage with a Maltese.   A black Shih Tzu, a tiny spot of white on her head, a tiny spot on her chest.  Upon closer inspection, we noticed the d.o.b. on this animal.  2 months old.  We studied her closer, and as we did, low and behold, a woman near us wanted to see her.  The workers went behind that glass door that so many people every day pound on, driving those poor animals insane, and took this dog from it's cage, gave it to the woman who went in the "wooden box" to play with the puppy.    As I walked through the store, using my little map as a mega phone saying "Don't buy puppies from the pet shop, they are mill dogs", loud enough for those around me to hear, but soft enough so I was not going to get kicked out, I became my normal nosy self, and invaded this poor woman with this animal in the "box".  I leaned over the door where she was and stared at the puppy, almost forgetting she was there.  She was holding up the puppy..it would not get down.  Could that be because her feet hurt from the wire?? I am guessing yes.  This dog was huge!!!!!  Finally, the woman looked at me, and me, a bit embarrassed, told her that we bred this breed, and just cannot fathom that it was two months.  She brought the pup over, and this girl had to be 7 pounds, atleast.  I never in my life have seen such a sight!!!!  Even a top of the standard size (16 lbs) Tzu is not going to be that big at 2 months.  After looking at the coat, and it's teeth, I finally left that poor woman in her "box" with that dog.  I checked out the other animals, little mini toy breeds not moving, their feet falling through the wire cages if they attempted to step.  I have come to the conclusion that this was either a much older dog, or it was a mix..judging by the coat, I am going for a standard poodle/tzu mix. I attempted to ask the workers how long she had been there, or get some other info., but they must have heard me in my little "don't buy" speech cause they just ignored me.   As we walked out, the woman from the "box" caught up with us.  In speaking, we all agreed that there was no way this was a 2 month old dog, nor did we think it was pure.  Then she told us the asking price.....

      $1200.00

Yup, that was the price.  Whew!!!! That amount back to the miller, minus pet store fees,  is probably 6 more dogs from the pet auction.  Times that by 12 litters for each dog for 6 years..well it gets up there.  All those puppies produced for a buck (or many bucks!!) How many will snap, how many are truly bred, how many end up homeless or killed? Please buy your puppies from a reputable breeder or adopt.  When a breeder gives you a price,  they are giving you a quality price. If you feel that price may be too much...  Look around, visit pet shops, search the internet under puppy mills.  There are some greusome pictures, it's pretty scary.  You will find the quality money you spent on your puppy from the breeder is what you spend.  That 1200.00 spent at the pet shop, will usually double due to all of the problems this animal will most likely have...that is, if you keep it that long. 

10/9/04 Another visit to the pet store.  I talk to this woman alot and she constantly says to me and others, "Im afraid I must say that buying a puppy from a puppy store is not always a bad thing. Puppies that end up there are ones that the breeders have undergone usda inspections to make sure the dogs and puppies are given adequate health care.....and....have been checked by at least two vets....but it is ingrained in our minds that we should not go that route" .  Funny thing, though, she is a breeder.  Ok, health check, thats the answer? As I was saying, I went to the pet store to see if maybe she could be right.  Out of the 30 dogs there, 3 were standing.  Many of the cages were full of urine, feces, and being they are locked behind that glass, you can guess the smell.  One dog standing in particular caught my eye, only because of what he was doing.  He was licking the wire on the floor.  That made me take a better look at the others.  Not one food bowl in site.  I look back at him, when he is done licking the wire - apperently not enough for a meal, he tried to walk around.  He could, on 3 legs.  His front paw must have had some problems (hmmm..from the wire??), he could not put any weight on it, and after about 5 mintues of really getting no where, he turned, looked at us with sad eyes, and fell down to the bottom of the cage.  Just gave up.  His paw was so swollen.  I looked around for the pet shop guy, he had "went to the back". He would not come back out.  I read the cage cards, sure, there was vet info on there, unpronouncable, scribbled names with no contact info.  They had breeders' names there, most info was crossed out, cause I was going to call them.  Ask them if they cared for what they brought to this world.  Do you propose these "usda breeders" check where their animals go?  Do you think they care?  What good is 2 health checks/ adequate health care (yea..ok) without love and socialization?  I could be sick as a dog (parden the pun), but know the doctor, and tell him to give me a clean bill of health.  With enough bribery, or without enough concern from him, I could get one, right?  I as a breeder care about where my babies go.  I have many times out of the blue contacted the new parents just to say hi, and get an update.  I know there are many like me as well.  The inspections I receive from new prospective puppy parents mean a lot more than a usda inspection.  Paying a lot of money to take each pup to my vet, who knows my dogs, means more than paying some for a piece of paper from an "unknown" who will send me on my way, whether it is true or false.  Again, I say there is no good in pet shops.  From the start...to the end.