Puppy Mills - Paw Talk

#1 10-29-2002, 02:23 PM

About 2 years ago I bought my pomeranian who I'm absolutely in love with and wouldn't give up for anything or anyone in the world. He was about 8mths old when I got him so he wasn't as expensive as little puppies but he still wasn't cheap. Anyway, the place didn't give me his papers and when I went back for them, they told me it would be an additional $100 because he wasn't a puppy when i bought him. Also, my dog doesn't REALLY look too much like a pom either. His nose is longer then your average poms, and he weighs about 14 lbs witch I think is a little bigger than most, and he's definately taller than any I've ever seen. His hair isn't poofy at all and his undercoat's really light and the tips of his hair is black. Does anyone know if it is legal to charge extra for a dogs papers? I'm clueless cause he's the only so called "purebreed" that I've ever bought. (im almost sure he's not a pure breed though?)

Lizgirl · #2 10-29-2002, 02:32 PM

He sounds cute. I've only had cross-breeds so I hope someone else comes along who knows the answer to the question. That doesn't sound right to me. There might be some sort of charge, but that sounds outrageous.

Nancy · #3 10-29-2002, 02:35 PM

do you have a picture of the dog you could post here? It doesn't sound purebred at all from your description

#4 10-29-2002, 02:42 PM

My scanners not working but if it helps, he looks exactly like a baby fox. EXACTLY

Nancy · #5 10-29-2002, 02:47 PM

This is a PB pomeranian. I'm assuming it doesn't look like this or at least close to it?

#6 10-29-2002, 02:57 PM

Nothing like it. His body is much longer, and although his coat is beautiful, it does not stand up like that.

Nancy · #7 10-29-2002, 03:03 PM

well the one in the pic was probably groomed and made to look all fluffy for the photo. It's very possible you have a mix on your hands. For them to charge you extra for his papers isn't right. It sounds like(if he turns out not to be PB) that they told you he was PB when he really wasn't--since PB's sell for higher prices than mixes and people will more likely buy a PB--and thought they'd make some extra money by charging for papers that probably aren't for that dog anyway.
Did you buy him from a private breeder?

#8 10-29-2002, 03:10 PM

no, i hate to admit it, but i got him from a puppy mill. Had i known how horrible they were before i got him, i never would have walked in the place. The place i got him was actually in the newspaper not long after i'd been there. They were accused of selling sick puppies and then not refunding the money or anything for they're customers. Some of the animals even had to be put down. I guess i was lucky in that respect. my dog's very healthy.

Crittercall · #9 10-29-2002, 03:20 PM

Since he's not a pure-bred, I assume you are not planning to breed so what is the use in having papers? Have him neutered and enjoy your little boy!!

One of my Cavaliers came from a puppy mill. She's definitely my husband's dog (we suspect a woman mistreated her) and we have no papers, but there is no doubt that she is a Cavalier. Unlike your baby, she is smaller than normal for the breed. She's also timid and when we first got her she had never set foot on grass OR been allowed to run. It was pitiful. She's still a bit skittish but she's Bubba's baby and that's all that matters!

Critter

Nancy · #10 10-29-2002, 03:27 PM

you were very lucky. Animals from mills are very inbred and many have genetic problems. And they almost always mixes of some kind--if you do, by some luck, get a purebreed, the papers would probably be bogus anyway as no mill keeps track of their bloodlines.

#11 10-29-2002, 03:30 PM

In any case, I love my dog more than anything and would pay the money again if i had to, but I should have done my investigative work prior to purchasing.

Thanks for all your help!!:rollsmile

#12 10-29-2002, 03:56 PM

I just found a pic that looks almost identical to my Salem

http://www.keeshond.com/usrescue/jazzmo1.jpg

I found it on a keeshond website.

Crittercall · #13 10-29-2002, 08:48 PM

Bottom line is you love the dog and you're giving him a good home. That's the most important things.

We found out later that the woman in Sarasota had been selling these Cavaliers for $2500!! You can tell the difference in the blood line by looking at the two of mine together and tell the one with the better line - but like you and your baby, she's ours and that's that!!

Critter

Chrisanne · #14 10-29-2002, 09:06 PM

I have to say it... but puppy mills are gonna be here to stay unless everyone bans together to stop them. We can start by NOT buying from pet stores because their pups are puppy mill puppies. And if ya here of one around you... fight to shut it down.

Sorry... off my soapbox now.

Crittercall · #15 10-29-2002, 09:31 PM

I agree completely, Chrisanne. My dog was confiscated, not bought. I would not do anything to promote those people - nor can I afford to pay that for a dog! But knowing up close and personal how it affected that one dog - yeah, they all need to be shut down and the owners made to live in very small cages and fed bad food and made to lay and sleep in their own urine and excrement for an extended period of time.

Critter - sharing the soap box