One of the most exciting parts about being a dog owner is bringing a puppy into the family. And one of the most important factors surrounding this decision is choosing a responsible breeder.
All too often, people are lured into purchasing puppies from breeders who may seem credible but sadly, are not. Many times, these breeders are the owners of puppy mills.
Puppy mills are large-scale dog breeding facilities that focus more on making a profit than properly caring for the dogs, leading to animal neglect, abuse and sickness. Read more about puppy mills here.
So if you’re looking for a puppy or know someone who is, here are four red flags to look out for in potential breeders.
- Puppies sold in pet stores.
Breeders who truly care about their dogs want to know exactly where their puppies end up. And when puppies are sold at pet stores, breeders can’t track where they go. Although pet shop puppies are adorable and tempting to purchase, buying one likely supports a puppy mill operation.
- Unable to meet the parents
Breeders who are proud of their dogs want to show them off to potential buyers. So they should be willing to let you meet and interact with the puppy’s parents, especially the mother. Breeders who hesitate or refuse to do this usually have something to hide.
- Multiple litters
Breeders who take pride in their dogs strive to have well-socialized, healthy pups. When breeders have multiple litters at one time, they cannot properly care for each litter. In these cases, it’s likely they care more about making a profit than producing puppies that will make healthy, sociable, and high-quality pets.
- Puppies sold before 8 weeks
The best time for puppies to leave their mothers is around eight weeks old. Before this time, puppies are not fully mature: mentally, socially or physically. Irresponsible breeders will often sell their puppies at younger ages because of the puppies’ smaller size and for the chance to make more money in a shorter period of time.
Bringing a Golden Retriever puppy into the family is such a great experience and is also a big responsibility. Be sure to make the responsible choice and purchase your pup from a reputable breeder. And don’t forget about rescue organizations!
Check out this list of American Kennel Club Golden Retriever breeders in the U.S. and search Petfinder for local listings of shelter dogs in need of homes.
The Golden Life 