There was a question on another thread about whether 3 litters at once was a puppy mill. There was some different views on what a puppy mill was. I found this site on my travels and I think it was interesting and pretty much gives a correct view on it. http://www.canismajor.com/dog/puppymil.html
Puppy Mill really is a term that identifies a breeding operation run under squalid conditions with out the approp-riat respect for the animals. Unhealthy breeding stock, unsanitary conditions etc.
If three litters make a puppy mill then many professional breeding organizations which have reared dogs for service to the blind, DOD's programs, Some German Police breeding programs would be Puppy Mills
If a breeder has the resources in respect to labor committments, housing, and health care as well as the minimum amounts of socializing that are necessary early on then three litters is no big deal.
I often wonder about the breeder who says I only produce one or two litters every couple years as an expression of quality. How could anyone explore their lines that way and produce a breeding program? Ely Whitney the author of Breeding Dogs flat out says that quantity is the key to producing dogs.
I agree with you kevin. I think that it is not the amount of litters but rather the purpose for which they are bred. I thought the site link was interesting in that it went through the history of how the name puppy mill came about and their description of a puppy mill is what I would agree with.
What about the manner in which the pups are sold? A 1 litter per yr breeder who dumps puppies at pet stores is every bit the PM. A responsible breeder could produce 10 litters per yr, *if* there is a market for 10 litters of their pups every yr. Is the breeder dilligently screening puppy buyers?
Lack of screening is a major flag, even for byb who "only" breed 1-2 litters a year. As I've said once before, I bred my JRT dog to my Border bitch one time because I had many people wanting a pup from this cross. I had puppy shots, and dewclaws done at my expense, and gave the pups to selected friends who would hunt them.
Joy
All but on has been spayed/nuetered. That one person is very big on breeding her own type of working dog (responsibly). My JRT and Border bitch are also spayed and nuetered now. My old Border has not been nuetered because of fear of anethesia with him. My being a responsible dog owner will prevent anything from happening there.
It was brought up awhile back about loosing drive if a dog is nuetered. My JRT hasn't missed a beat. He's still one hell of a hunting dog and crazy as ever <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> .
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