Puppy Mills: Dogs Abused for the Pet Trade

The Plight of Purebreds and 'Designer Dogs'

5Some people impulsively obtain purebred dogs, even though they may not be educated about the breed or ready for the commitment that companion animals require. Movies, TV shows, and commercials have caused a jump in the popularity of certain breeds, yet very few potential dog caretakers take the time to investigate the traits and needs of the breed that they are considering. “Every time Hollywood makes a dog movie, the breed goes to hell,” says one caretaker of bouviers des Flandres dogs. A Dalmatian fancier concludes that “the unscrupulous breeders will see there’s a profit margin there.”6 When there is a surge in demand for a particular breed, puppy mills try to meet that demand. But when the dogs don’t turn out to be just like their fictional counterparts, rescue groups and animal shelters become flooded with these breeds.

A similar phenomenon happens with so-called “designer dogs,” such as Labradoodles and cockapoos, who can be sold for thousands of dollars to unsuspecting people who know nothing about the breeds. Says one animal geneticist, “Cute as they may be, when you mix dog breeds, you really don’t know what you’re going to get.”7 At puppy mills, dogs are bred for quantity, not quality, so unmonitored genetic defects and personality disorders that are passed on from generation to generation are common. This situation results in high veterinary bills for people who buy these dogs and the possibility that unsociable or maladjusted dogs will be disposed of by their unprepared “owners.” “There is virtually no consideration of temperament,” says one dog trainer. “I wish legislators could sit in my office and watch intelligent, articulate, hardworking people sobbing in extreme emotional pain over having to decide whether to euthanize their dog because of some serious behavioral problem.”8

The American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes mandatory spay-and-neuter programs for purebred dogs and receives funding from breeders who pay AKC registration fees.9Buyers may be swayed by talk of “papers” and “AKC registration,” but these papers cannot ensure good temperament or good health. Says one veterinarian, “The best use of pedigree papers is for housebreaking your dog. They don’t mean a damn thing.”