Has Anyone Ever Bought A Puppy From An Online Breeder?

[MickeyMouseGal]

One thing I noticed is that there are no pictures anywhere to be found of the parents of the Puppy Kiss puppies. My breeder doesn't even post pictures of the puppies, only the adults. She also provides a link to the adult's pedigrees where you can visit the websites of distant relatives, etc.
In my practice, we have a suspected 'Puppy Mill' breeder. The pups are filthy, having fleas, worms and ear mites. The only reason we see them is so that they can command a few hundred extra dollars advertising them as 'vet checked'. When I do find a congenital defect, they often don't tell the new owners. Only one time in three years have I seen one of the adult dogs or 'breeders' by their own terminology. The dog was filthy, the toenails were horribly long, parasites, etc. and the 'owners' couldn't even seem to remember the dog's name. Yet, this was one of thier valuable stud dogs. They have had multiple complaints from the local humane society, but unfortunately since the dogs have adequate food, shelter and water, they can't stop them. It's so sad.

 

[puggymom]

I only read the first page, but felt the need to post.

If the breeder is willing to ship, they are either a puppymill or a backyard breeder. PLEASE do not buy a dog online. True breederswill only sell to those that they can meet and would never let one of their dogs be shipped. One of my pugs is a rescue and that is how is first owners purchased him, online. He has a list of health problems that a true breeder never would have allowed to happen as they are genetic and would never had bred the line with these issues. September 25th was the 2nd anniversary of him coming home. In these 2 years he has had 3 surgeries and was diagnosed with a gentic eye disorder that requires him to have eyedrops in both eyes twice a day. Those drops cost $30 a month. Then there are the pills he gets with dinner and breakfast, cost $50.00 a month. I have no regrets as he is a wonderful member of the family, but it is a huge commitment, emotionally and financially.

Also, as a result of being shipped via air, he has a terrible fear of crates. That fear made his recovery from knee surgery rather difficult.
I beg anyone considering buying a dog not to go buy from a puppystore or an online breeder, they are one in the same.

 

[Muushka]

Thank you OP for starting this thread. I am a huge advocate of adopting from animal shelters and I loath puppy mills. This thread has hopefully opened some eyes. Anything to stop the breeding of puppies when there are so many out there that need homes.

Good luck finding your puppy!

 

[goofy4tink]

A well respected breeder is one who is trying to better the breed. They tend to show their dogs, not just breed them. Those that are just in the business of breeding aren't going to give you the best dog.
Yes, adoption shelters are terrific. I have gotten at least 3-4 dogs from shelters. And they have been terrific dogs. But, when I wanted a particular breed, because I was looking for specific attributes, I went in seach of a reputable breeder. I went to dog shows in our area. I talked to those showing the dogs. When the same names kept coming up in the conversations, I knew I had a decent breeder. I have had to use two different breeders since the first breeder moved away. But, both of these breeders interviewed me, as well as my interviewing them. My contract for my present golden stipulates that if for any reason, I need to part company with my dog, my breeder is to be informed so that she may make an offer to take the dog back. I was able to get my dog from her because he had a non-descended testicle. It made him useless as far as showing and breeding. The breeder kept him as long as she could then sold him as 'pet quality' to me, with it understood that he would never be bred. When he went in for his neutering, the breeder asked me to have the vet report on the status of that testicle. Why? Because if it didn't 'drop' she would have to stop breeding the mother of my dog. This is considered a major flaw. But, it did, in fact 'drop' just in time for him to go under the knife.

If you have to have a particular breed, head to the dog shows, talk to people, find a good breeder. One who will be there for you down the road if you have any issues with your dog. One who can sit with you, let you see the health records of both the puppies parents, and possibly actually see both parents, but at least one of them.

My brother in law did buy a puppy from an entirely different part of the country. That pup was shipped to them. So far they haven't had any major issues with the dog, that I know of anyway. But, I still feel that if it's at all possible, you should find a good breeder, in your area, who will stand behind their puppies. Not a backyard breeder....one who's dog gets pregnant by accident or one who's owner decided to breed her to that nice dog their cousin owns. Or from a puppy mill....if you understood what goes on in those places you would be sick.

Sorry this got so long...this is a major peeve of mine. Either go to an area shelter and give a nice mixed breed a good home or find a reputable breeder in your area.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I wanted to add again that just because you haven't had a problem with your dog from a puppy mill, or know someone that doesn't have any problems with their puppy mill dog, that doesn't mean no harm was done.

Your puppy's mom and dad have the most horrible life you can imagine. By buying another dog from their heartless owners, you have added to that heartache and forced them to breed yet again. That can't be stressed enough!

Their mom and dad live in a tiny wire crate stacked with others outside in a partially covered shelter. They are not touched, they are not allowed out to potty, they are fed some days but have to compete for the bug infested kibble, they are not given vaccines, they usually don't have any teeth left, their hair is matted and maggots have taken over, they have sores, their paws are bloody and mangled from standing on wire crates, and when dogs above them potty well, they get a shower from it. They are a number; they don't have a name. They don't get the pleasure of human touch. They are rarely spoken to, and it's usually not a kind word given. Their babies are ripped from them way too early and they are forced to breed again and again and again until they are sterile or die. When they are now worthless to the owners, they are either killed or left to wander alone. Most of them have never seen a vet. If you saw the mother and father of your precious dog, you would be scared. There is a reason why they don't post their pictures - they are not attractive because they are neglected and abused.

Thankfully, some of these places get shut down but many are able to get by the very minimum guidelines given to them and stay in business. Many rescues try with all their might to rescue these poor moms and dads and give the rest of their life a meaningful one but many of them are beyond traumatized from their experience and never have the good life.

I just think it has to be said again and again that the ONLY way to stop these horrible heartless people (who are very nice on the phone when you're willing to fork over some cash!) is to not buy from them.

Just google 'puppy mills' if you want to see some of the most heartbreaking pictures you'll ever see. These dogs don't deserve that kind of life just so someone can receive the latest designer mutt for their Christmas gift. The whole business is sickening.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

Hi and thanks to everyone who posted . . .

I never said I was purchasing from any such website as pupkiss . . the acutal website I've been referring to is www.rollingmeadowspuppies.com and I'm still doing research on it as well.

Our first dog came from an abandoned animals program called New Leash on Life and she's been with us for 10 years. I totally agree with giving a homeless shelter dog a real home, but, I'd like to purchase a small puppy now, something you rarely find at the Humane Society where I live.

 

[kayeandjim00]

Just so you know - I don't think that site is much of an improvement. Look at the huge amount of breeds she's producing. These are designer mutts not "hybrids". And I noticed that they are ACHC registered. I checked ACHC's website and to register a litter is $5.00 plus $1.00 per puppy so not a big investment to add the name for unsuspecting customers. ACHC registered means nothing. The fact that they are including "for free" instructions on taking care of your pet is another warning sign. A good breeder will flood you with information at no charge. They also make the claim that because they keep them for 10 weeks the dogs should be easy to care for. Sorry no puppy is easy to care for. They are a lot of work. Be wary.

I have four adopted animals and our next will most likely actually be a purebred puppy solely because we'd like a specific breed that is not readily available. We are several years from this but I've already found a breeder who's site I'll keep an eye on because she has what I'm looking for and her site is so detailed and she shows. That's another good sign of a good breeder. Good luck but I'd really try the petfinder route for that puppy breed instead of supporting what is most likely a puppy mill.

 

[puggymom]

That has all the ear marks of a puppymill. There are no pics of the adult dogs that used to breed. NO mention of shows that these dogs are participated in. Also, there is no such thing as a hybrid, it is a marketing tool used by puppymillers, it is a result of poor breeding that they are undersized, which can lead to health issues as they grow.

Please do not support this woman's business, the only way to stop puppymillers is to stop buying the product they are selling.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

Ok, not to be rude or un "DIS" like, but all I originally asked for was people who have had experience with internet breeders and my thread was hijacked by PETA who claims all internet breeders are involved in puppy mills . . .heck, someone even went so far as to ASSUME I was talking about some website as "PUPKISS" when I never mentioned a site at all . . .well, you know what happens when people ASSUME things, right? I am all for adopting dogs, cats, birds, etc . . .I'm purchasing a puppy, designer or full breed, my choice . . .I have been researching and maybe it would be better if I hopped on a plane to Iowa and visited just to make sure the dogs weren't all cramped up, feces all over the place, etc . . .but guess what?? My 10 year old pit mix who I located on a website called New Leash On Life had a HORRIBLE life ... she was being used as a puppy factory for some sick slimy people who wanted nothing more than to use those puppies for fighting material . . .she was tied to a bumper of a car for her short 1 - 1 1/2 years and had a terrible skin condition on her back from the oil drippings that dripped on her each and every day under that car . . .so don't try to tell me anything about puppy mills at all . . .

Ok, so you can all carry on now amongst yourselves and if anyone has anything to add about their own experience of purchasing from a breeder on the internet as I asked in my OP, that would be wonderful . . .PETA people can just walk away from this . . .

 

[hiwaygal]

You posted on an open forum.

Buying a dog from a website is a bad idea. Period.

A breeder who will ship a puppy (especially a small one) is not a good breeder. Period.

If you want a small dog, and you want a puppy, there have been many resources posted here to help you.

Only you can choose to make the smart decision.

 

[puggymom]

I am not, nor have I ever been a member of PETA. It is a fact that reputable breeders, ones that truly care about the dogs they breed, would never ever ship a dog. ONLY puppymillers/back yard breeders do that. As I previously stated, getting a dog from a place like this can be a huge financial commitment. If you choose to ignore this well intended advice then I truly hope you are prepared to take care of a dog for the next 15 years that may require alot of $$$. I am only trying to pass on what I have experienced with one of mine. He was given away after being purchased on line because they couldn't deal with his health issues. Unfortunately his story is a common one, just ask the rescue orgs and shelters that these dogs are dumped with.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

PETA? God no. I hate PETA with every fiber of my being.

 

[hiwaygal]

PETA? God no. I hate PETA with every fiber of my being.

Me too...only I happen to live in their "back yard".

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

Me too...only I happen to live in their "back yard".

Oh, you poor thing! Those people are serious wack-jobs.
They actually protest our annual AVMA meetings. Seriously. In Minneapolis last year, we were told not to wear our badges outside the convention center and the Department of Homeland Security was there to protect us!

 

[hiwaygal]

Oh yeah...they are definitely "OUT THERE"!!

They pretty much protest everything here...

funny thing, though, they weren't too concerned about animal life when they built that lovely headquarters on the water

you can see it in the middle (sorry this pic is so huge), their logo on the front

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

Oh yeah...they are definitely "OUT THERE"!!

They pretty much protest everything here...

funny thing, though, they weren't too concerned about animal life when they built that lovely headquarters on the water

you can see it in the middle (sorry this pic is so huge), their logo on the front

Oh, so that's where all of their big money goes. (That and to domestic terrorism groups.) We know it certainly doesn't go to adopting out homeless animals. They euthanize more than they adopt.
http://www.petakillsanimals.com/ See the graph to the right.

 

[hiwaygal]

yeah, they got busted pretty bad last year as two of their employees were caught dumping dead pets in dumpsters. They were supposed to be "rescuing" them.

 

[Bbgrizzle]

All right....I'm here to open this can on behalf of my friend Hiwaygal....

(Pic deted so's your thread doesn't get shut down! )

 

[hiwaygal]

BONNIE!!!

 

[kayeandjim00]

Another non PETA member here. I think some people can't handle the truth as they say You asked a question you got an answer. Sorry it wasn't the one you are looking for but it's the truth - period.