Puppy Farms in Pennsylvania?

[Nana Annie]

BOTH parents on the premesis would actually be something of a red flag to me. Seldom does the best possible match for a female live in the same house. A good breeder will seek out the best possible mate (which probably belongs to somebody else). This is especially true since most dogs at a breeder's house will be related already. However, you should certainly be able to see pictures of the sire and even meet relatives of his if he's local. Often, especially now with the advent of artificial insemination, breedings are done cross country, internationally, or even from beyond the grave (Pupsicles!)

To distinguish between a backyard breeder and/or a puppy mill/farm, ask the breeder what health clearances the parents have.

If they say they don't test, run. Run like hell. Any reputable breeder will do ALL the necessary health tests for that breed, no matter how expensive. It doesn't matter if they are planning on showing or not, no reputable breeder would breed two dogs together without knowing the genetic consequences.

For the breeds that regularly have hips and elbow done, there is a searchable database on the OFA site where you can check to make sure the breeder is telling the truth. If they used PennHip, ask to see the certificates. Also ask to see the results of other tests, such as eyes, thyroid, heart, etc.

If you are looking for a yorkie and want a reputable breeder, you can find the national breed clubs on the akc site. Go to www.akc.org, go to your breed and then look under breed clubs. This will list the sanctioned breed clubs and the contact numbers. The breed club websites will usually also have articles on what to look for in a puppy, ie: what tests should have been done.

 

[Lisa_M]

A guy DH works with just got a Westie puppy from what sounds like a backyard breeder in Chester County. Turns out this little expensive dog has kennel cough and pees and poops in the house. They can't seem to get him trained to go to the bathroom outside.

A few months ago, I fell in love with a pet store pooch and almost got him, but DH wouldn't let me. It's a good thing I didn't because he had been living in a cage for 8 months and what if I couldn't get him trained to go outside or he had expensive medical issues.

OP do your homework and if you really want a particular breed puppy, look for a reputable breeder or the easier way, go to a shelter and give a pup a forever home.

 

[imsorry]

My neighbor has yorkies. She's got 4 or 5 right now, I think. I'm not sure if she always buys from the same breeder, but I could find out.

ETA: You could ask a local vet for recommendations too and they may already know of someone who has pups. My vet has a spiralbound book of dogs for sale and rescue.

Thanks!

 

[ericamcl]

If you want a puppy get one from a rescue. My sister HAD to have a Golden Retriever so she got on from a "Breeder" in PA....$5000.00 in vet bills later she has a dog that survived parvo AND a hip surgery all before he was a year old. Once he hits 2 or 3 he has to have the other hip done.

My mom has had "pound puppies" for years...and has never had any major health issues with any of them. DH and I adopted from a rescue this past December and love our mix breed....

 

[imsorry]

Thank you to everyone who responded. I know that others reading here will have learned as much as I did.

 

[Pig Pen]

My daughter bought two morkies (maltese/yorkie mix) from a breeder in Missouri (see photo in avatar). The "Doo" is perfectly healthy, was fully trained when he arrive at 12 weeks old, and is sharp as a whip. He will be a year old next month. Willie just arrived last week and so far they are all happy.

I don't know if she purchased from a "mill" or a legitimate breeder...but our neighbor, quite by accident, ordered her morkie from the same breeder and all is well there too. We do know that her morkie does NOT have any parents in common with the "Doo" which makes me think it is probably a large operation...

You never know I guess.

 

[imsorry]

My daughter bought two morkies (maltese/yorkie mix) from a breeder in Missouri (see photo in avatar). The "Doo" is perfectly healthy, was fully trained when he arrive at 12 weeks old, and is sharp as a whip. He will be a year old next month. Willie just arrived last week and so far they are all happy.

I don't know if she purchased from a "mill" or a legitimate breeder...but our neighbor, quite by accident, ordered her morkie from the same breeder and all is well there too. We do know that her morkie does NOT have any parents in common with the "Doo" which makes me think it is probably a large operation...

You never know I guess.

He is adorable!!

 

[sweet angel]

Here:

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=8960114

 

[sweet angel]

Not a yorkie, but ooooh, look at the little faces!

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=8318801


Or, how about Cub Scout?
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9123860

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

My daughter bought two morkies (maltese/yorkie mix) from a breeder in Missouri (see photo in avatar). The "Doo" is perfectly healthy, was fully trained when he arrive at 12 weeks old, and is sharp as a whip. He will be a year old next month. Willie just arrived last week and so far they are all happy.

I don't know if she purchased from a "mill" or a legitimate breeder...but our neighbor, quite by accident, ordered her morkie from the same breeder and all is well there too. We do know that her morkie does NOT have any parents in common with the "Doo" which makes me think it is probably a large operation...

You never know I guess.

Your pup is cute!

But sorry no legitimate breeder is going to sell mutts. No matter what name is made for these dogs , they still are mixed breed dogs.

 

[Kycha]

Just a question, but where is this Puppy Mill sign about Lancaster? I live in Hershey and have traveled to Lancaster at least a 100 times in the past year alone and have never seen that sign. Are you being sarcastic or serious?

No. It is there along the turnpike, WB right before the state police barrack, about 2 miles east of the Reading(Ephrata/Lancaster) interchange.

I just want to point out that not all breeders in Lancaster are puppy mills. I would definitely do more research. And as pp's suggested, get recommendations from your vet and akc clubs. Personally, I would visit the puppies home to make sure of its environment.

 

[Magalex]

I know about pet stores; my niece bought a chocolate lab from a pet store in a mall - he was completely blind by the age of 6. Poor dog is always walking into everything.

My sister rescued a chihuahua from a mall pet store - he was going to be put to sleep because one of his eyes was bigger than the other. Well, aside from that, he is still going strong and he will be 15 at the end of the month.

I was just hoping to find a puppy - although I know I am probably better off rescuing an older dog.

Just looking at options - but I will definitely steer clear of the "mills" and "farms".

Just like to express how adopting an older dog from a shelter(they also sometimes have great puppies at local humane society facilities too) can be great! We did(a 4 yr old Brittany Spaniel). We had bumps in the road(Starting obedience classes this week) but we love him very much. Also about how those "over $1000 designer dogs" are now so popular we actually have people comment how he is so beautiful and how they love his white and auburn markings and this is a $75 shelter mixed breed dog. Be careful and good luck with any puppy/older dog you may decide to add to your family. One more tip: When we adopted our dog from the rescue in the contract it stated if he would had any hidden serious illness within 6 months we would have the option to return him. Plus I think local shelters will accept a pet back if there are aggression problems which begin in the new home.