I bought my dog from a backyard breeder.

[casablanca1]

I was looking at the mill's website, and it's really is set up to soothe the customer's mind - they talk about shots, emphasize you should shop around, etc. If you don't know that no reputable breeder offers multiple breeds and multiple litters as if they were running a hatchery, you'd feel ok about this place. It's a sneaky one.

I just can't get over people spending $500 for a Beagle, though. Nothing against Beagles, but unless you want show-quality, they're a dime a dozen at any shelter.

 

[elegy]

don't feel bad herschel. you didn't know any better. you do now, and you won't repeat the mistake. that's all that really matters.

 

[DanL]

Your dog got a great home, so don't feel bad. He's a cutie, thats for sure!

 

[vanillasugar]

My childhood dog, Snowpuff, was a "Malti-poo" that we bought at a pet store (a really really bad one...) My family didn't know better at the time. I'm sure he was a puppy mill dog, but he was a wonderful companion and I loved him dearly. I've learned since then obviously, but that doesn't mean that Snowpuff meant anything less to me.

Funny though, when I was a kid, I just thought Malti-poo was a cute nickname they thought up to make him sell better. I knew full well he was a Maltese, and Poodle mix. I was a smart kid

 

[Southpaw]

Definitely don't feel bad...I got Lucy from a BYB but I suppose my mistake was worse, I was well aware of what a BYB was and I knew that's what the breeder was. I refuse to call her a "bichpoo" though, the name is just so stupid, and she's a mutt...I'm not going to make it sound like she's a real breed, when people ask what kind of dog she is I tell them she's a mix of bichon and poodle...

Dogs from BYBs deserve loving homes too, "mistakes" such as this can also be a blessing!

 

[bubbatd]

When I took Ollie into the Clinic today .... I knew he was still listed as a Goldenoodle ... UGH!!! ( Petfinder )..... Second vet ,plus all of you said Golden and Chessie ....Thanks all ,,,, he's now a Golden Retriever mix , Luckily all there don't like BY " designers names. As the vet said ,,, who cares !! He's a wonderful dog !!

 

[Fran27]

Heck i got Boris from a puppy mill

 

[nabeeha]

I made the mistake of that with my one cat sometime we are only human and we learn hon.. dont worry

 

[Giny]

Aw, you shouldn’t feel bad for a decision you made before you knew the facts about BYB. Shucks, my first dogs, Kassie and Boomer came from a BYB. Back then, before I was part of any dog forum and didn’t even know they existed, I truly thought I was getting them from a good breeder. She showed her dogs, seemed devoted to them and had contracts for each pup and they were registered which to me seemed ideal. I grew fond of her and became friends through the time when I first got my 2 dogs. Only later did I understand about testing and even if she showed dogs she still bred her other untitled dog and this is were I realized that she was a BYB. She’s a wonderful person, very nice and kind person but that doesn’t mean she isn’t a BYB. I'm now part of a poodle rescue that has rescued some of her dogs that were given up by owner’s who can no longer take care of them. Now that you know the truth you can educate other people about it, and still love Herschel, she’s an innocent victim in all of this. She’s very lucky to have found your home. Cheers to you and lots of hugs!

 

[pitbulliest]

I got my first TWO dogs from a pet store. We're from Europe..and puppy mills just don't exist there...people just breed them at home and sell them to friends and family..or farm dogs have pups..yadda yadda yadda..I guess they're comparable to back yard breeders..but honestly, I've never heard of puppy mills back home.

Anyways...my parents didn't know anything about that or they wouldn't have bought the dogs...and I was still a kid...so I had no clue...but I thank God that we were "enlightened" about the whole issue. Now I try my best to tell people about puppy mills and backyard breeders.

 

[zoe08]

Twelve years ago when i got my first dog I thought anyone who called themselves a breeder was good.

This is how I was too when I got Zoe. I learned not to buy from pet stores, but I wasn't truly educated on BYBs.

Dont feel bad. It usually takes mistakes to actually learn anything. Zoe is the best thing that happened to me and because of her the next time I get a dog I want to rescue one.

 

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

-Don't feel bad. Everyone's been through it. I actually allowed a BYB to breed her dog with mine! We didn't realize how stupid this lady was...or we were...she told us that Yorkies, and Silkies were the same breed...wow. I've been doing research ever since, and have found out soooo much. I don't regret it though, I never would've learned if I hadn't made the mistake.-And I'd never have my little silky/yorkie girl, Lucy.

My baby ♥

 

[ToscasMom]

Don't feel bad. YOu have a loving dog and and adorable one at that. It's not your fault that people like that exist. Just consider how lucky your pup is. I waited nearly two years to get my Tosca. Finding a good breeder that has worked on genetics and works to breed out certain breed issues takes time. I did find a "breeder" long ago who was definitely back yard. The dogs looked so awful, I was tempted to rescue one. That's how I felt. But I knew that Collies can have some serious health issues if the breeder doesn't take care. But the important thing is you have a loving dog and you love your dog. Like others on this board, I am inherantly suspicious of the people you bought from. Does anyone remember the people who got busted not so long ago for selling sick cats on the net? They shut them down and rescued what they could. It was a huge kitten farm for not very well bred or fed purebreeds. They got indicted for abuse of animals and it was ONE buyer who loved her sick cat dearly who made it happen. These online farms are getting noticed more and more by authorities. This place sounds similar, and I am just glad that your dog and you found each other. YOU have NOTHING to be ashamed of! And you dog is simply adorable!

 

[xx speed]

aww, you shouldn't feel bad about it. to tell you the truth, two out of the four dogs that i've owned were from responsible breeders. Skyy, my german shorthaired pointer and Missy, my german shepherd [i have a bit of a fetish for german dogs, evidently xD]. one of my others was from a backyard breeder, and one was a rescue. it's nothing to be ashamed of, at least you now know that you made a mistake, and won't do it again.

 

[planet molosser]

I told my brother you are not judged by your mistakes but by how your correct them. after he got a pet store Schnoodle on his Credit card that is sick often.

What i cant take is when someone buys from a non prof breeder and then protects them based on the love they have for their dog and makes excuses for the breeder...

JD

 

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

You have a very pretty puppy. At least (now) you realize you went to a BYB and won't go back to one (especially that one ) again. Do you also live in Missouri?
I can't believe that's the SECOND BYB/Puppy Mill I've encountered since moving here. There is another one in St. Louis *Mopuppyexpo.com* that sells upwards of 40+ dogs and mixes. It's so sad that these people are allowed to do this.

I hope you will continue to stay here and learn/share knowledge with others. You have realized these people are very bad and shouldn't be breeding. They are in it for the money and not to better any breeds, better temperament and conformation, or breed out hereditary problems. They have a bad guarantee (not as bad as some) and are more than willing to fly pups to a new home. It may be ok for some, but I'd never do it to mine...I'd rather drive with them.

40+ breeds? I'm going to have enough on my hands when I get into breeding and showing Yorkies! let alone 40 different ones!!! yikes!

 

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

I told my brother you are not judged by your mistakes but by how your correct them. after he got a pet store Schnoodle on his Credit card that is sick often.

What i cant take is when someone buys from a non prof breeder and then protects them based on the love they have for their dog and makes excuses for the breeder...

JD

I agree. I have an AWESOME yorkie, and I love her to bits. She may even make it to show if we're lucky enough, but I admit I bought from a byb, and shouldn't have. If I'd known all I do now I wouldn't have, but then I wouldn't have Dixie. I think it all works out how it should...ya know? I got Dixie, and then I realised it was wrong to buy from a byb, and the OP bought her lovely little pup from a byb, and now she realises it's wrong, but if neither of us had made that mistake...we'd never have our babies. I think we all learn just when we're supposed to. I love the breeder who sold me Dixie, she's a REALLY sweet person, but she doesn't realise that she's not a responsible breeder....

 

[Herschel]

I agree. I have an AWESOME yorkie, and I love her to bits. She may even make it to show if we're lucky enough, but I admit I bought from a byb, and shouldn't have. If I'd known all I do now I wouldn't have, but then I wouldn't have Dixie. I think it all works out how it should...ya know? I got Dixie, and then I realised it was wrong to buy from a byb, and the OP bought her lovely little pup from a byb, and now she realises it's wrong, but if neither of us had made that mistake...we'd never have our babies. I think we all learn just when we're supposed to. I love the breeder who sold me Dixie, she's a REALLY sweet person, but she doesn't realise that she's not a responsible breeder....

OP = he.

 

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

OP = he.

oops! i'm soory!

 

[planet molosser]

You could not pry his 'mistake"from his hands for a million dollars.

I explained after i turned 10 shades of RED when i found out she was not a adoption but a designer breed_ that he was keeping the mills in operation that no dog should ever be in a pet store let alone buying a mutt knowing how many dogs need homes..

But i too made this mistake from a backyard breeder who BTu iwas nice to talk too a type of woman you could hang with who turned later into a convicted dog killer a collector got in over her head deal.

No excuses i turned on her when the dogs got sick and finally dead i helped
get her banned from AKC and UKC for her convictions .

But still remember she was a nice woman to talk too much more so than the some of the best breeders ive met.

Ive learned never ever judge a book by its cover- good dog breeding ethics should go hand and hand with being a good person- even thou the more you breed the more you get jaded.....to people and the more you like dogs

Sadly it seldom does.. PS very happy that you care for your dog .

PSS im not well liked _ by all _especially breeders who are not ethical.
I would rather have respect as a breeder than admiration as a friend i have many friends but must admit once you breed it is harder and harder to make friends within dog circles_the competition seems to bring out the worse in some.... I miss the days of being a dog rescue person or just a pet owner which is kinda why im here im kinda sick of the rare breed forums that excuse bad breeders due to the lack of competition .

Jd