Puppies For Sale; Avoiding Online scams

There were 19 classified ads selling pups in this local paper as of last week. These ads are just used as an example for this blog and I am not singling out specific advertisers as scammers. I have kept the text a little blurry and blocked out contact info.

Popular, Trendy Mixed Breeds Sell c Diane Rich 2013 Goldendoodles have become one of the most popular crosses to date; Golden Retriever and Poodle cross

c Diane Rich 2013

Red Flags 1. Cut rate prices should concern you. Sellers who don't spend money on health checks of breeding pairs or cannot or will not give you background information on the health and temperament of the parents or grandparents of the litter or do not give you any info about puppy vaccinations and seem to want to rush the sale really don't care as much about the pups as they do about what is inside your wallet. $$

2. If you call someone from an ad on Craig's List, classified ad or online pet website and they don't interview you, hang up and move on. A phone interview from a good breeder could easily take 30-60 minutes. They want to learn about your experience with dogs, their breed, your lifestyle, work schedule, if there are children in the family and in some cases if you have fenced yard so they can determine if their breed will be suitable for you, your family and lifestyle.

3. I suggest caution when reviewing online sales for fad breeds such as any of the crosses; Labs, Poodles, Goldens, Pugs, Beagles, Bichons and Yorky crosses to name a few breeds for these trendy mixed breed dogs. Or if the seller offers downsized breeds such as Teacup anything, or markets an albino Doberman as a special breed, or markets oversized breeds, run. Are these dogs cute, absolutely. But scammers and puppy mills breed the flavors of the month and year and breed these dogs to death, literally.

4. If your questions receive curt, rude responses or you get the impression you are inconveniencing the seller, hang up. Good breeders want you to ask questions.

5. Sometimes puppy brokers work with several large puppy mills getting their cut from this lucrative business. Many brokers and even some of the owners of the small mill puppy factories will use stolen photos from legit breeders in their advertising to grab your attention to sell pups

6. Do you see the same ad from the same seller for months on end? Does the ad state there are always pups available? Think about it. What legitimate breeder always has pups available? If the ad states they always have whatever particular color or marking available on request, pass.

7. Does the seller ask you to send a moneygram or send money via Western Union? Pass.

8. Don't think you can always do a background check on a breeder or kennel. Once busted many scammers and mills close down or are closed down and just open up another facility under another name. The money is too good for puppy mill operators to stop selling pups in this multi-million dollar business.

9. Try to make sure you are talking to the actual breeder, not a representative for the breeder. Many brokers for puppy mills manage all communication from ads or even websites. A legitimate breeder will want to talk with you personally.

10. If you find a breeder online that is in your state or across state lines and you request permission to visit the pup or pick the pup up from their kennel and are denied access or they tell you they will be in your area to make the drop off, pass. Although this is convenient it is best to see where and how the pet lives.

Meet the Breed at a Local Dog Show

Overview For those who want a purebred dog, I always recommend buying a puppy from a reputable breeder through a personal referral in your area if possible. It is best to visit the actual site where the pup was born and raised. Hopefully the pups are raised in a loving home, not a garage or outbuilding where they have limited stimulation and access to an outdoor area. If you cannot find a breeder in your general vicinity contact your local breed club to get out of state referrals.

Another idea is to attend a dog show and talk with other enthusiasts of your breed. You may have the opportunity to talk with the breeder or handler about your choice of purebred dog. If you like what you see and what you hear you can inquire further with regard to their breeding program and can stay in contact for future litters. If that handler or breeder is not currently breeding any of their own dogs they may be able to refer you to someone they know.

c Diane Rich 2013

One doesn't have to operate a large puppy mill to be a scammer. People would be surprised to learn that neighbors may be breeding dogs for sale warehousing them in the basement or garage. They either sell the pups outright, sell to a pet store or have a friend or relative take a few pups to sell from their home.

Although legitimate breeders may sell 2 different breeds, anyone selling more than 2 breeds may be someone you want to pass on.

Missouri has been named one of the top states for puppy mills in the United States as the laws governing the mills are sadly lenient. The USDA still approves puppy mills if that mill complies with the shamefully limited requirements for the emotional well being and health of breeding dogs and pups.

Another resource could be to contact your local breed rescue group as they may also be able to offer breeder referrals if your heart is set on a puppy. Veterinarians and trainers may also have referral resources for you.

Websites are very easy to create featuring gorgeous adult dogs and cute pups. A beautiful website does not always mean that seller is legit. However some breeders do take the time to create a website and list the full pedigrees of their dogs.

The AKC (American Kennel Club) or UKC (United Kennel Club) is only a registry and does not endorse any breeder or kennel. Puppy mill operators can get AKC registries on their dogs.

The Luck of the Draw Can you get a healthy, sound dog via a classified ad or through an online source sometimes yes, sometimes no. Can you always get a healthy, sound dog from a referred breeder, same answer as above. If the sellers are above board giving you truthful information regarding health and temperament of the parents and lines of their dogs can things go wrong down the line, absolutely and not through any fault of that breeder. Do sellers omit critical information, sometimes. Can you as the buyer contribute to your dog's long term health and behavior, yes.

A pedigreed dog that has finished as a champion and then is used for breeding is no guarantee the litters she produces will give you a dog with longevity, robust health and suitable temperament. Keep in mind the sire or father of a litter contributes temperament traits and health conditions as well.

If you want a purebred dog or if you must have a trendy, designer dog, please, please, please do NOT buy any puppy from a pet store no matter what the sales person or store owner tells you about the pup's backstory and that they do not buy from puppy mill operations. What responsible breeder would give pups to a retail store to sell those babies?

An Option to Consider You would be surprised how many pregnant dogs end up at your local shelter either dumped or picked up as a stray. Your local humane society, shelter or rescue group may have just what you are looking for.

This sweeter than sugar Pit Bull was dumped at a high kill shelter in California. She was pregnant. All the pups were adopted and a volunteer from a PB rescue organization in that area pulled her from the shelter before she was killed. My client adopted her.

c Diane Rich 2013

Good luck with your search and please do your due diligence thinking long term past the cuteness of a pup's online photo.

Speaking Woof,

Diane Diane Rich Dog Training, LLCwww.spokesdog.comaskdiane@spokesdog.comwww.twitter.com/spokesdog