PUPPY FARMS
A Guide

Who or what are puppy farms?

Puppy Farms are breeders who pump out litter after litter of puppies for monetary gain. Some are commercial puppy farms who may specialise in one breed or breed many breeds or as we have seen lately "designer mongrels" whereas many are just what we call Backyard Breeders. The problem with designer mongrels is not necessarily the breed created but if YOU choose to breed from them. If you are after a family pet then you MAY well get a good , healthy dog BUT do not be fooled. Many Pure bred dogs have breed specific health issues which are recessive in nature and which a proper registered breeder would be aware. By combining two breeds, you can create a dog with double the problems. Other hereditary diseases are "late onset" in other words they don't become apparent until the dog is older, perhaps 3 -4 years. Designer Mongrels may make a fine pet but the offspring of such a mating COULD double the problem. Puppy Farmers often hide behind claims that they only use the best stock for breeding or use generalised statements that their animals are are health tested etc and often appear to be beyond reproach with lines like "We don't sell our pups to just anyone" when in reality they are after a quick buck and do not have you the consumer in mind at all. If anyone claims to have health tests done, ask them to see them. You will soon sort them out. Otherwise they are just sales people and often charge top dollar for alleged "Show Quality" off "top winning lines" when all you are getting is an expensive pet. Many of these breeders are also registered with the Royal New South Wales Canine Council. Joining the RNSWCC doesn't make one reputable. Anyone can pay a fee and register a prefix. Remember there are 2 types of registration papers in NSW Main Register and Limited Register (please click on the links to view) Clubs usually have a list of members and can tell you who has litters available. Click here to be taken to the NSW Club One tell tale sign of a commercial puppy farm or backyard breeder is the pedigree. If you see generation after generation of dogs without CH (champion) to their name then those dogs most likely haven't been in the conformation ring and therefore their quality as a show specimen could be questionable (bear in mind that imported dogs in a pedigree may not have a title but could certainly be better than other dogs already here) Don't be afraid to ask people about their show experience if you are after a show quality animal. You need to realise that the only way you can get your money back in most cases from anyone is by taking legal action which will in all likelihood cost more than you have spent.

Most breeders would have one or maybe two litters in a year. Those other breeds who may have smaller litters or who have larger operations may have more but anyone who breeds more litters than they can justify is most likely a Puppy Farmer as serious breeders who breed for Type, Temperament and Health breed only to improve the breed and only when they need to. So if there is no good reason for the litter or the breed club can't recommend them then I recommend you stay clear. Remember YOU have to protect YOU.

For obvious reasons detailed information about any of these people cannot be published in a public forum. Again contact your breed club.

There is no room for these people in this or any other breed. Please be very careful who you buy from. If someone offers you a guarantee of any kind, ask for it in writing. The Department of Fair Trading in NSW advises that the same laws apply to puppy sales as do any other items, that is, that the pup must be what the breeder says it is. If they sell you a guaranteed show quality pup and it is a pet then you are entitled to a refund. Get a written statement as to what will happen if it is not.

Genuine breeders will usually indicate that the pup SHOULD measure up to show quality. They will also show you the pups that will not and explain why. Very few people can say "All my pups are show quality" and you must be very dubious of anyone claiming such. If they guarantee a healthy pup and knowingly sell you a sick pup then you are entitled to a refund. Again, get it in writing. Many diseases have an incubation period. Your vet will be able to advise you if the breeder would have been aware of any problem. If there has been a breach of the Fair Trading Act either through the above or through false and misleading advertising then you may be able to take recourse through the Department of Fair Trading in NSW. People buying from other states should check State regulations.

Also remember that unless you have agreed to co-own a dog, you are entitled to get the registration papers transferred over to you when you purchase the pup unless there are conditions of the contract to be fulfilled such as the pup is sold upon the condition that it must be desexed. Again get that in writing because until you have your name on the papers you are not the owner unless you have a written agreement. Even then, in my opinion, I would insist that the papers at least be signed over into co-ownership and that a separate agreement be made that the dog be desexed at a certain age. The ideal age for desexing recommended to me is after sexual maturity which varies from dog to dog but as a guide would be 6-9 months of age. This can be younger for smaller breeds and in larger breeds it is not uncommon for a bitch to mature late. The only recourse for an ill thought out agreement will be through a court.

 

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