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NEWSLETTER
VOL1 ISSUE NO 4
RESPONSIBLE BREEDERS versus PUPPY MILL BREEDERS
Last paragraph in previous News Letter
In this edition I shall discuss the responsible breeder versus
the puppy mill breeder before looking at buying a puppy.
Selecting a breeder is one of the most important
considerations when contemplating buying a puppy. As I
mentioned before “a puppy is a life time commitment” If you
start on the wrong foot, it can be a road with lots of heart
sore and medical bills. You need to do your home work, by
visiting several breeders and deciding which breeder you like.
Price is not the only factor to consider. The care of the parents
and socializing of the puppies are essential considerations.
Remember this bundle of fluff is live time commitment!
Questions you need to ask the breeder:
1. You would like to see the parents of the pups?
2. You want to see their pedigree as well as medical
certificates - HD & ED certificates. (That includes
vaccination certificates because if his dogs are not up to
date with their vaccinations it can have an impact on
the puppies).
3. What food are the pups as well as the parents on?
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4. Ask to see the dogs’ kennels, food bowls, water bowls,
sleeping quarters etc. If they are not clean you will get
an idea of what kind of breeder you are dealing with.
5. If the breeder refuses to answer any of your questions
or refuses to show you around you may want to
reconsider whether you really want to deal with such a
person?
6. Looking at the nursery where the pups are kept. You
should be able to form an opinion of what kind of
socializing the pups had?
7. Are there any toys to play with?
8. Is the nursery clean?
9. What kind of stimuli did the pups have?
The Puppy:
1. Bigger is not better!
2. The puppy must be alert, playful and a bundle of
energy.
3. A puppies size, colour and price is not the deciding
factor – the temperament, confidence and a well
socialized pup that is healthy must be the deciding
factor.
4. All vaccinations must be up to date and deworming is
very important.
5. Food also important – if it is a large breed dog, it must
be on a “Large breed puppy food”
Let’s look at the differences between a puppy mill breeder
and a responsible breeder
RESPONSIBLE BREEDER:
PUPPY MILL BREEDER:
SIMILARITIES
Number of dogs 1 - ???
KUSA registered
Number of dogs 1 - ???
KUSA registered
DIFFERENCES
Well cared for breeding stock and
puppies, receiving lots of attention
Good quality food
Puppies in healthy condition
Parents HD + ED have been done
Very little care and attention
No special food
Puppies not in healthy condition
No x-rays done
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Good temperament
Tick and flea treatment up to date
Will assist and advise
Will stay in touch with owner of pup
as it develops
Try to improve the breed
Show dogs – proud owner
Each bitch only have 1 litter a year
Can be aggressive
No tick and flea treatment done
Not interested in your problems after
puppy has been sold
Unable to stay in touch due to too many
pups sold
Try to breed as many as possible
Too much effort to show – they are there
for 1
Purpose only
Each bitch have as many litters as
possible
I just want to explain under SIMILARITIES the following:
If you are a breeder and you have 1 bitch and every time she
goes into season – you breed her – you are a puppy mill
farmer
If you are a breeder and you have +- 30 bitches and you only
breed each bitch once a year if the demand is there. With all
your vaccinations up to date. Puppies get a lot of attention,
you are a responsible breeder.
You need to ask yourself one question? Why do you want to
buy a “pedigree” dog?
Answer should be:
Pedigree dog:
Although you cannot be 100% sure what the temperament of
the dog or its state of health will be, you stand a much better
chance of buying a dog in line with the breed standard.
Pet shop/Puppy mill farmer dog:
The cute puppy you see at the Pet shop – do you know what
his up bringing was? Do you know the breeder? Do you know
if this pup has been socialized? If this pup develops in an
aggressive dog – do not blame the dog. It’s the public who
support these puppy mill breeders and allow them to put
these dogs in the market. I did not make a survey of SPCA
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cases, but I am sure if you trace the history, you will find that
these dogs are from irresponsible breeders.
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Thank you Cindie-Lee Campbell for this wonderful Bullie
photo.
I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New
year. Enjoy your Bullies and all your other pets.
We will start the New Year with “Buying a puppy, caring for
this pup and training”.
Bullie Blessings
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I have completed my course as a Dog Behaviorist – any
problems please contact me.
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sabullmastiffs@bullmastiffs.co.za
If you want to unsubscribe just send mail to above address
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Magda Ledoux
www.sabullmastiffs.com
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