buying sick puppy-LINK to kennel

[Boemy]

Angelmom, I know how hard it is to walk away from a cute face. Every puppy I see I want to sweep into my arms and run home with. But please make your heart listen to your head. Did you follow the link JasonEls provided? Did you see the description of the place?

Approximately 380 dogs and an undetermined number of puppies in the kennel . . .

Each of the outside cages was raised about three feet above the ground on wooden stilts. They measured about two feet wide, two feet long, and two feet high . . . Each enclosure housed two dogs . . .

The ground directly under the cages was dirt, and several weeks of fecal accumulation was piled underneath the cages amidst stagnant, standing water filled with algae. The outdoor cages on the inside of the U (the outdoor cages that faced each other) also were positioned over dirt ground and had several weeks' accumulation of feces piled under them. Rain had created small pools of feces-filled water underneath the cages and in the walkway in between the rows. In addition, several days' accumulation of feces was observed inside about 10 percent of the cages, most of it dried and piled up in the center of the cage (3.11(a)-Cleaning of primary enclosures) 3.1(f)-Drainage and waste disposal). Flies were swarming around the outside of the facility (3.11(d)-Pest control).

The wooden building siding that served as the back wall of these cages was covered with fecal stains, fur, and algae build-up (3.1(c)(1)-Surfaces).

A West Highland Terrier had feces-stained mats covering its chest and belly (2.40-Vet care) in a cage on the wall opposite the direction of Riverview Rd. There were two cages housing Airedale Terriers that lacked six inches of space above the tops of the dogs' heads (3.6(c)(1)(iii)-Primary enclosures).

Indoor cages
The indoor cages were . . . about 2.5 feet wide, 1.5 feet long, and 1.5 feet high. These cages were stacked on top of each other, three high in six different stacks. Each housed a single dog. One cage housed an Airedale Terrier, another housed a Sheltie, and another a Cocker Spaniel; each dog was about 1.5 feet long from tips of their noses to the bases of their tails (3.6(c)(1)(i)-Primary enclosures). These cages lacked six inches of space above the tops of the dogs' heads (3.6(c)(1)(iii)-Primary enclosures).

Metal trays underneath the treated wire floorings of the stacked cages served to catch feces and debris. The walls and tops of the cages were made of untreated, thin-gauge wire (3.6(a)(2)(xi)-Primary enclosures). All of these cages had metal self feeder and plastic water bottles attached to their walls.

Does this sound like a place that cares about its dogs? That will produce a healthy dog? That sees its dogs as anything more than baby-making, money-making machines? They won't even take pictures of their adult dogs. They claim that worms are caused by stress.

Does this really sound like a place that cares about "happy tails"?

If you buy a puppy from these people, you are supporting them and what they do. You are encouraging them to keep the puppy's mother caged and isolated in a two by two box.

If you have your heart set on a maltese / poodle mix or any other kind of mix or purebred I am POSITIVE that people on the board can help you find a dog from a rescue or from a breeder who is at least not a puppy mill.

 

[Laurelin]

Oh gosh that description you posted, Boemy, is so sad. Sounds horrible.

 

[angelmom]

I am going to call tomorrow and tell them we will not be buying their dog. I did get the name of a breeder from a vet here that has yorkies that we may go see tomorrow night. I do want to get a healthy pet. Boemy-where did you see that info you quoted about the kennels? I went to the links from JasonEls, but didn't see that info

 

[~Jessie~]

I'm glad that you decided to change your mind about getting that puppy. Not only do many puppy mill dogs have behavioral and psychological issues, many of them are also unhealthy and will be very expensive to care for in the long run

 

[jason_els]

Boemy-where did you see that info you quoted about the kennels? I went to the links from JasonEls, but didn't see that info

The description she cited appears to be for another kennel, not North Country. There are three complaints on that page, two for North Country, one for the kennel shown below.

McDuffee, Gary and Wanda
Gary and Wanda McDuffee
Happy Tails Kennel
1805 Riverview Dr.
Little Falls, MN 56345
41-B-0190

Glad to hear of your change of mind angelmom! Now, how can we help you?

First, be sure a Yorkie is for you. Take a look at this page:

Yorkshire Terriers: What's Good About 'em, What's Bad About 'em

Here's their sister page for the Maltese

Note in both lists that each are in the Top 5 most difficult dogs to housetrain. I've heard this too but I'm not an expert on either dog. Their fragility is another concern.

What I suggest, even if to confirm either of these are for you, is to check out the dog selectors and see what they say:

Iams Dog Breed Selector

BestDOG!

Animal Planet's Dog Breed Selector

Check the top 10 each come up with and see if there are any common breeds. There should be. Answer honestly and then let us know. It's fun and interesting. There are many, many, breeds out there and many you probably haven't heard of. You may find one that fits you perfectly.

Making sure you know what you want in a dog is the most important thing in deciding what breed is for you.

And again angelmom, hard as it is, you did the right thing. There's another puppy out there with your name on him or her just waiting for you. We'll help you find him or her.

 

[otch1]

Outstanding Jason-els!! You did the homework for me! This should be all of the info you need to convince you to steer clear of this "kennel", angelmom. I know it must be very disappointing to be this close to picking up your puppy, but in the long run, I believe you're doing the right thing. Is it really a Yorkie you have your heart set on? I can send you contact info for several breeders that will give you good advice and help you find a healthy puppy, if you're interested.

 

[jason_els]

And one other thing....

There are quite a few breeds that most people have never heard of but which may be perfect for you. I know because it happened to me. Never would I have thought about a pumi unless other breeders pointed me in the direction and I'm very happy with them. There are choices out there and that's part of the fun!

Outstanding Jason-els!! You did the homework for me!

Aw shucks

 

[Maxy24]

I am going to call tomorrow and tell them we will not be buying their dog. I did get the name of a breeder from a vet here that has yorkies that we may go see tomorrow night. I do want to get a healthy pet. Boemy-where did you see that info you quoted about the kennels? I went to the links from JasonEls, but didn't see that info

I'm SO glad you are not going to buy from these people, they look horrible. If you want we can check out the Yorkie breeder too if they have a website to make sure they are worth your money and a really nice place. If that is not a good place I'm sure people here can give you breeder names. Is Yorkie the breed you want for sure?

I also suggest rescue if you want a mix (yorkie-poo)
here are some shelter pups: http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=8261264
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=8246202
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=8187501
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=8176818

What ever you choose we are here to help!

 

[adoptashelterpettoday]

I am going to call tomorrow and tell them we will not be buying their dog. I did get the name of a breeder from a vet here that has yorkies that we may go see tomorrow night. I do want to get a healthy pet. Boemy-where did you see that info you quoted about the kennels? I went to the links from JasonEls, but didn't see that info

Good for you. I hope they are reputable.

MAKE SURE they do the acids test. You dont want a Yorkie with a liver shunt...

ETA-Check this thread out Angel: http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51575

 

[angelmom]

I'm pretty sure I have done research and would like a yorkie. I am in MN and have looked in various places for a yorkie or yorkie mix to adopt, but have not found any that are puppies. I know these are stubborn dogs and can be difficult to train, and really want to start at the puppy stage. I have allergies to dogs (not severe) so this is another reason for wanting this type of dog. I also want something small. My kids want a dog, but I know the hype will wear off and I will be the one caring for it, so I prefer a smaller dog. If anyone finds a puppy on a shelter site in MN that I have not found please let me know. I talked to the yorkie breeder near us for quite a while on the phone last night and will ask her many more questions when we meet her tomorrow. Thanks for everyones help and advice here-you guys are great. I just hope the other little yorkie maltese gets better and goes to a good home.

 

[FoxyWench]

im soooo glad youve taken the advice offered, and i wish you all the best in your search for THE perfect puppy for you!