Sound like a puppy farm??

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_Samantha_

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Evening lovely people

Well to start the story, I rehomed an old girl from a dogs home several years ago who sadly had to be pts last year due to cancer of the bone and arthritis. I'd always wanted a puppy but lived at home and my mum said not til I get my own house, fair enough :-P

so anyway bought my own house in August and it had been playing on my mind since losing the old girl so been secretly looking at adverts on both papers and rehoming centres but been holding off thinking there's likely to be a mass of poor unwanted doggys after xmas as there always seems to be each year.

Well then I saw an advert selling 18 week old Weimeraner x retrievers fairly localy and practically giving them away, so I arranged to go see them. Part of me is glad I went but another part wishes I hadn't :-( There were 3 crosses and one pure Weimeraner. when I asked about the parents the people didn't initially remember if they had the father, then they did. when I asked to see the mum of the black crosses a golden retriever was brought in and she looked very sad to be there. Also in the next room was what was left of a yorkie litter. The guy also mentioned they sometimes take some of the retrievers and cavs to the beach, yeah I'm sure you do... :-(

I did end up taking one of the cross pups and before anyone gives me long lecture about doing the wrong thing I really wanted to get them out of that situation but didn't want to hand them any more money :-( at least one of them can start her new life.

She came with us yesterday, slept all night without a peep and only did a little wee on a puppy mat, all other business has been done outside with no accidents so far. she is quite nervous and rolls on to her back if approached and has no idea what a lead/treats/toys are for but she is learning pretty quick and has made herself at home on the sofa already. We did take her straight to vets on our way home yesterday and had to start her vaccinations again as they were not completed by "breeder" and is booked in for second jabs and microchip in 2 weeks time plus got a dog trainer coming to do one-to-ones at home until fully vaccinated when we'll be joining puppy socialisation classes.

So any advise from all the knowledgable people out there? I'm sure there will be a mixed response to this thread and apologise in advance if I have upset anyone, just needed to get this out of my system.

Mince pies for anyone who got this far and MERRY CHRISTMAS :-D
 
Well she's home now and I am sure she will make a lovely pet but as long as people give these people money, even if they think they are 'saving' the dogs, they are contributing to the continuation of these sorts of breeding practises.
Until people start walking away, it will continue - you can't save them all and in the long run, it will help the dogs.

Buuut...well done for getting her to the vet quick and well done for getting on the ball with her training :)
I'd maybe have her hips x-rayed after 12 months old, I am sure she will be fine but retrievers can be prone to hip dysplasia so just check they are OK.

They sound like backyard breeders, rather than puppy farmers....I tend to think of the latter as working on an industrial scale, sheds and pens and crates lining the walls...did anyone in the house work?

The best way to hit people like this, is in the pocket.
If there is no financial gain, they will stop breeding.
The tax man also might be interested in the financial dealings of these people if they are not declaring earnings from puppy sales.

TBH the welfare people probably won't do much if they have food, water and shelter, they probably don't give a toss about the Kennel Club so penalties won't count there, you might be able to do something re them needing a license to breed or possibly acting in breach of local housing regulations?

Sounds like they are already struggling and will need a new money making scheme soon, or they could get a job and stop expecting their dogs to pay for them :p
 
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glad you have the one you have, raise and train responsibily and you will have a friend for life! but backyard breeding must be stamped out! shame you couldnt have taken 2 or 3. please spey/neuter as soon as reasonably possible! the rescues are full to bursting. and sadly there will be xmas thorugh outs in feb/march
 
Agree sounds more like a byb than a puppy farm, but nearly as bad in my opinon. They try to pass themselves off as hobby breeders but are only in it for the money. On the plus side if they are left with pups at 18 weeks old they obviously aren't selling as well as they hoped, I can't really blame you for having one, I would probably have done the same.:o Lets hope the remaining ones trash their house over Christmas!
If they have more than 2 breeding bitches they should have a Breeders Licence from the local council, might be worth a mention to the relevant dept after Christmas.
 
At least she is safe with you. Puppy farms are doing more cross breeding now as people seem to be buying cross breeds and it makes my blood boil. They are charging £400 for a cross breed and people are actually buying them!
 
Well we paid £25 for her which was what they were asking and they wanted £125 for the pure weimeraner which was from a litter of 9 originaly and wasn't hard to see why she'd been left as her back legs were far from perfect.

Over the phone they said the pups hadn't been house trained as got too big to live in the house and were now in an outhouse but I think we've been fairly lucky with ours as she was the perfect lady again last night and waited until I let her out this morning.

The retriever they showed us was supposedly 6 years old and had 3 litters, pure retriever, poodle cross and weimeraner cross, but she looked much older than 6. Maybe its just the life she's led. she certainly wasn't going hungry though, if anything she was overweight with lots of weight around neck belly and legs.

As for the question of do they work...well there was no mention of the lady concerned working but the gentleman did say he collects carcasses from local farms. But this may not actually be paid work as such as I know many hunts used to offer this service free of charge to feed the hounds.

Maybe I'm being a bit sensitive about the whole thing but you can't help feel sorry for the innocent dogs involved. I know I should have walked away when I clicked on but when I set off for the place I only thought they had two bitches (to have two litters) but only as we were there longer things kept popping up in conversation that just felt a little bit wrong, kind of gut instinct if you know what I mean.

Oh and she will be getting spayed asap, vet said after first season at around 12 months. is that right?
 
Ok so they collect and feed carcasses.good on them,so would I if I had the strength and facilities.Best way to feed..same as foxhound packs are,if done properly that is.
Puppy farm? were there long barns full of yapping dogs?No apparent outside exercise areas?If you WANT to see what you are talking about I am sure a friend Dog Writer,Robert Killick, could give you an appointment with one of these establishments in West Wales....then your eyes will really be opened.
Not every one is in the wrong for (quelle horreure) BREEDING animals to sell.As long as they are cared for and homed correctly that is fine.Yes,there are many many in rescue,Lord knows I am more than aware of that,I do rescue in my own breed..but it does`nt stop me trying to continue to breed ever more perfect bullies and minis.
Cross breeding .well THAT is stupid..but an awful lot of these daft crosses are stupid pet owners making some fag money..honestly..read the adds! Your puppy obviously has landed on it`s paws which is lovely,but Boy,do I get cheesed off with all these self congratulatory "rescue" stories!:confused:
 
MurphysMinder said:
Agree sounds more like a byb than a puppy farm, but nearly as bad in my opinon. They try to pass themselves off as hobby breeders but are only in it for the money. On the plus side if they are left with pups at 18 weeks old they obviously aren't selling as well as they hoped, I can't really blame you for having one, I would probably have done the same.:o Lets hope the remaining ones trash their house over Christmas!
If they have more than 2 breeding bitches they should have a Breeders Licence from the local council, might be worth a mention to the relevant dept after Christmas.
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Actually MM that is now FIVE bitches ,it changed a while back;puppies were also all supposed to be chipped/tattooed at source many years ago,and all breeding stock ID`ed,but that has never been enforced ,sadly.Seems our country cares far more about farmstock ID, DEFRA enforces that bigtime.
Eire ,however,is about to enforce that rule on all it`s dog breeding establishments.As a lot of the pet shop puppies originate from there it can only be a good thing.:D
 
Robert and Jo are in good form,talk to him regulerly! He is obviously getting on a bit now,his eyesight is very poor ..but he still writes weekly in Our Dogs,taking on the world as usual and telling `em where to go!
The last edition of Dogs today had their story in it,all about the theatre and Jo`s dancing..Robert can make leotards ,for goodness sake!

He is an amazing character,one of the best,and of course me having dastardly terriers ,as he had his Welsh,we have a lot in common.they don`t make `em like him anymore:D:D
 
EAST KENT said:
Ok so they collect and feed carcasses.good on them,so would I if I had the strength and facilities.Best way to feed..same as foxhound packs are,if done properly that is.
Puppy farm? were there long barns full of yapping dogs?No apparent outside exercise areas?If you WANT to see what you are talking about I am sure a friend Dog Writer,Robert Killick, could give you an appointment with one of these establishments in West Wales....then your eyes will really be opened.
Not every one is in the wrong for (quelle horreure) BREEDING animals to sell.As long as they are cared for and homed correctly that is fine.Yes,there are many many in rescue,Lord knows I am more than aware of that,I do rescue in my own breed..but it does`nt stop me trying to continue to breed ever more perfect bullies and minis.
Cross breeding .well THAT is stupid..but an awful lot of these daft crosses are stupid pet owners making some fag money..honestly..read the adds! Your puppy obviously has landed on it`s paws which is lovely,but Boy,do I get cheesed off with all these self congratulatory "rescue" stories!:confused:
Click to expand...

I cant agree more with you East Kent. It really angers me that everyone is tarred with the same brush. The majority of hobby breeders / licensed breeders are 100% commited to the health and welfare of their animals. Whats the difference between breeding puppies and horses or birds or cows or cats? Do all breeders of animals get the same scrutiny as dog breeders? Most dedicated breeders aim to improve / maintain the quality of their breed standards but as with everything in our society today people always focus and complain about the bad not the good!
 
_Samantha_ said:
Well we paid £25 for her which was what they were asking and they wanted £125 for the pure weimeraner which was from a litter of 9 originaly and wasn't hard to see why she'd been left as her back legs were far from perfect.

Over the phone they said the pups hadn't been house trained as got too big to live in the house and were now in an outhouse but I think we've been fairly lucky with ours as she was the perfect lady again last night and waited until I let her out this morning.

The retriever they showed us was supposedly 6 years old and had 3 litters, pure retriever, poodle cross and weimeraner cross, but she looked much older than 6. Maybe its just the life she's led. she certainly wasn't going hungry though, if anything she was overweight with lots of weight around neck belly and legs.

As for the question of do they work...well there was no mention of the lady concerned working but the gentleman did say he collects carcasses from local farms. But this may not actually be paid work as such as I know many hunts used to offer this service free of charge to feed the hounds.

Maybe I'm being a bit sensitive about the whole thing but you can't help feel sorry for the innocent dogs involved. I know I should have walked away when I clicked on but when I set off for the place I only thought they had two bitches (to have two litters) but only as we were there longer things kept popping up in conversation that just felt a little bit wrong, kind of gut instinct if you know what I mean.

Oh and she will be getting spayed asap, vet said after first season at around 12 months. is that right?
Click to expand...



i bought a shih tzu so cute but i should of realised that i couldnt come to them they brought the two shih tzu left over to my house.i bought her and took her straight to the vets all the vets could see at that point was that her jaw would have problems in the long run.i could of gotten her spayed after 6 months.

but she didnt live that long.she had cancer and all sorts of other illnesses.i reported the people i brought her from and guess what!!!!!!! a big massive puupy farm :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

i feel stupid that i didnt realise sooner but at least she had a "good" 6 months at my house rather then in that hell whole.

But i think you have done the right thing,we have a lab aswell and the previous post is right they can suffer from hip problems and arthritis so get an xray done and def get insurance to cover you just incase as it can get very expensive
 
stablelad said:
I cant agree more with you East Kent. It really angers me that everyone is tarred with the same brush. The majority of hobby breeders / licensed breeders are 100% commited to the health and welfare of their animals. Whats the difference between breeding puppies and horses or birds or cows or cats? Do all breeders of animals get the same scrutiny as dog breeders? Most dedicated breeders aim to improve / maintain the quality of their breed standards but as with everything in our society today people always focus and complain about the bad not the good!
Click to expand...

I have to say my feelings on this is soooo mixed at the moment. I bought Dylan from a hobby breeder although she claimed that it was a accidental litter. Long story dad is a stud dog who lives next door bitch got to him........stud dog belongs the breeders brother......

Anyway she sent us home with a weeks food wet and dry, flea treatment and a voucher for a microchip. She gave us a baby picture of him with the date he was wormed on and the time he was born. And yes we bought him but I cant see how she has made that much profit considering. I got a text off her today asking if he had settled in well. I have spent my life (at home) always wanted to rescue but this time round it wasnt meant to be. I have just had a phonecall from a rescue we contacted in November saying they have changed their mind and we can rehome I have agreed to foster as of March, so its a start. But I really dont know how I feel, about hobby breeders. I went into that house thinking I wouldnt come home with puppy because I couldnt justify it but the text today and the questions she asked when we were there eased my mind a little that some people do actually care.
 
The problem with people who breed to make money, rather than to keep one for themselves, or to keep their line going, or improve the breed, is that people who breed to make money don't often want an annoying thing like health tests (£300 for hips and elbows, per dog, for a GSD for example, that's before a haem test for the male, eye test, etc) to get in the way of their lovely profits, so just don't bother and hope for the best.

IMO if you breed knowingly not undertaking the relevant health tests for that particular breed, sire and dam, or ignore bad results and breed anyway (it'll outcross/right itself, dontcha know...) you are damaging the breed or breeds you claim to love.
 
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