Buying a dog in Lancaster, PA?.... would you?

[Papa Deuce]

For those NOT in the know, Lancaster is known as one giant puppy mill.... My daughter's friends family just bought a Rottie / Bloodhound mix..... we love this dog. He is just like we would want.

But would you take the chance?

 

[Laurajean1014]

If you research the breeder (or the place you are buying the pup from) and feel confident that it is not under-nourished, mistreated, etc, then okay.

However, is this your only option? Are there accreditted breeders by you that are not in Lancaster?

 

[milkabum]

I definetly would not. As an experienced dog owner, there is no chance to take if there is a chance of a puppy mill. My sister's friend had just bought a little Havanese, infected with parvo. Poor thing died at 10 months

 

[hiwaygal]

I wouldn't...because, to me, it's not about "taking a chance" that the pup is healthy and all that. To me, buying a puppy from a puppy mill means providing support for that mill to be profitable and continue breeding puppies in the worst conditions.

 

[Tiggeroo]

My sister bought her sheepdog from Lancaster. All eight of his years were terrible, expensive and vet-filled.

 

[milkabum]

I wouldn't...because, to me, it's not about "taking a chance" that the pup is healthy and all that. To me, buying a puppy from a puppy mill means providing support for that mill to be profitable and continue breeding puppies in the worst conditions.

It's like eating chicken from a farm infected with the H5N1 avian flu virus.
It's too much a risk.

Please look into shelters and rescues, they have a variety of pure breds and mixes.

 

[RUDisney]

Please look into shelters and rescues, they have a variety of pure breds and mixes.

This is my sentiment. My BIL and sister live near Lancaster and I've heard story after story of puppy mills from my BIL.

He went out of the area for his dog, too.

 

[Sherri]

Part of me feels like adoption is the only way to go. But then again those Puppy Mill dogs are living a life of total hell so even though you would be buying one it would still be like a rescue.
Did you see (since you are from the phila. area and it was on the news) that the puppys taken from the puppymill raid are now up for adoption at the Chester County SPCA. They just got clearance to adopt out all of them.
You may want to check out the website CCSPCA.org
Good luck with whatever you decide. Its great to open up your heart and home to a pet.

 

[Quinn222]

No way on God's green earth. Besides the problems you might run into with the dog it's putting money into the pockets of a puppy mill owner.

 

[phillybeth]

For those NOT in the know, Lancaster is known as one giant puppy mill.... My daughter's friends family just bought a Rottie / Bloodhound mix..... we love this dog. He is just like we would want.

But would you take the chance?

No just no, HELL NO.

 

[Kycha]

There is no way I would buy a puppy from a puppy mill no matter where it is. There are many reputable breeders all over Lancaster county. I wouldn't condemn a whole community due to the actions of a few greedy people. I think you should get recommendations from family/friends and do some research. You live close enough to Lancaster that you can make a visit to the breeder before you buy to see how the animals are treated. Good luck.

 

[Papa Deuce]

There is no way I would buy a puppy from a puppy mill no matter where it is.

Me either... IF I suspected a puppy mill. However, just bacause one breeds or sells dogs in Lancaster does NOT AUTOMATICALLY make them a puppy mill. So. I agree, there may be good breeders there.

Thing is, I need to do more research.... this is exactly the kind of dog we would enjoy.

 

[PaulaSue]

Yep, not all breeders are puppy mills. Lancaster is close to home and I wouldn't travel far for an animal.

Our friends (they live next door to each other) both bought boy goldens from an Amish family and they are so cute. I SO wanted to get a little sister for the set.

 

[Matt'sMom]

There is a very active and reputable kennel club in Lancaster, PA area. You can learn more at their web site: http://lancasterkennelclub.org/

I would highly recommend that you contact LKC, and ask their breeder referral represtentative for information on reputable, ethical breeders of the specific breeds you might be interested in. There are plenty of people who are active in selectively propegating purebred dogs... and who are NOT 'puppymills' nor casual 'back yard breeders' (even in Lancaster). The LKC can help you to insure that you obtain your new canine companion from a source that has the welfare and best interests of both the individual puppy, and the breed in general, as their primary goal (as oppossed to someone who breeds recklessly, for personal profit or 'just because').

Also, if you are not as concerned about your new pup being a purebred & from a well known background (so that their future is somewhat predictable)... please do consider turning to a reputable rescue group. So many really wonderful dogs (puppies included) are in desperate need of new homes, often through no fault of their own. There are lots of wonderful rescue groups and available animals listed on http://www.Petfinder.com

 

[Shugardrawers]

Are you sure a dog that large and powerful is a good idea while your girls are so young? You'll need to quickly and firmly establish your position as Alpha with a dog that big. Rotties have a reputation as being aggressive but that's myth. With training and good leadership they aren't any more aggressive than any other dog. But with the size and power of them I'd be a bit concerned about my girls getting hurt playing with the dog.

Puppy mills are such a catch-22 thing. If you buy one it just supports the breeder and the deplorable conditions they are born into. On the other hand, someone has to care for the poor things when they are born.

As someone else said, not all breeders are puppy mills. Check them out really well before you decide. Know what you are getting into before you get him home.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Are you sure a dog that large and powerful is a good idea while your girls are so young? You'll need to quickly and firmly establish your position as Alpha with a dog that big.

Should be fine. I have always had big -- even huge -- dogs and I have always been alpha. And never a problem with my own and my kids, and he is 80 pounds.

I have had retrievers, Irish Setter, St. Bernard. and a German Sheppard, oh, and a Boxer.... current is Austrailan Shepperd.

 

[Pigeon]

Why would you buy a "mixed breed" to begin with? If you want a mixed breed dog, why not check out www.petfinders.com? You'll have to pay an adoption fee which covers the rescue costs, but you aren't paying somebody for deliberately producing mutts.

No, I wouldn't buy from a puppy mill. Not ever.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Why the HECK would you buy a mixed breed?!! Millions of mixed breeds are killed each year in shelters!

ANY BREEDER that purposely breeds and sells mutts are NOT REPUTABLE - being in PA or not. Hell no would I ever give my money to someone who bred mutts. They are irresponsible and should be shut down. There is no way that person is not either a puppy mill or a backyard breeder. Period. A reputable breeder cares too much about the millions of dogs that are killed each year to contribute to that by producing more mutts to populate the earth.

Reputable breeders do not sell mutts. There is no need - you can get one up the street at the shelter for $80. Has nothing to do with their location.

 

[kayeandjim00]

I completely agree with the sentiment of why in the world would you buy a "mutt"? We have a beagle/basset mix that we adopted from our Humane Society. A neighbor paid a good amount for one from a pet store aka puppy mill. : same exact dog they just paid way too much and supported a puppy mill. Check out petfinder.com you will have no problem finding that mix if you are patient I'm sure.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Why the HECK would you buy a mixed breed?!! Millions of mixed breeds are killed each year in shelters!

I know about RESCUE..... have recued 2 before. However, like I said, this mixed breed does have what I am looking for in both breeds. I have checked PETFINDER several times, like maybe 25x.... still haven't found the combo I wanted.

I once found a purebred I wanted but it was given to someone else.