Keeva Bay Reg'd

Who Not to Buy a Dog From

A Pet Shop or Dealer – Many of these pups are produced in “puppy mills” A puppy mill is an environment where many litters are produced per year. Some puppy mills claim they “home raise” but don’t allow you to see the sire of dam of the pups. Beware. These people only care about making a profit and the dogs are often poorly bred or sick. These dogs often end up in pet shops or are sold through dealers on the internet.

Backyard Breeder – These are people who own pets and think it might be a great way to earn some extra money or provide a “great life experience” for the kids. Often this breeder doesn’t know or care about breed standards, health concerns or proper methods of raising dogs and puppies. The goal is often to make money and sell the pups as quickly as possible. Sometimes, this venture turns into a way to earn extra income. These individuals do not show their dogs, are not members of affiliated clubs such as the Portuguese Water Dog Club of Canada or America and do not network or consult with other breeders regarding their breeding program. Frequently, they cannot produce the paperwork on genetic testing and have some excuse why not. These people do not stand behind what they produce or operate according to ethical standards published by established breed clubs. Many talk a good line but do not necessarily charge less for their pups, but often the dogs are poorly bred. Beware.