losinsusan
Posted : 4/4/2008 11:14:25 AM
So the show aired this morning here. It was a good show I thought and I liked that she admitted that she had to learn about this. I found it so sad to watch at times. And heartwarming at other times. They didn't say DO NOT get a dog from a breeder but rather to research the breeder and go in person to view the females. And to spay and neuter all dogs. I felt it was a good show. I am sure many had their eye's opened up.
After I bought my dog from a breeder who has bred the breed for over 30 years now, I was contacted by a rescue group and they told me my breeder is a puppy mill! I was shocked and so sad. I asked how they knew this since my dog seemed to come to me with great care and seemed very healthy etc. They told me anyone who breeds more than 50 pups a year is a puppy mill. Our kennel exceeded their guidelines I guess. In fairness I explained they also breed English Pointers also. So if you had a family operation on which a mother/daughter operate and you breed two breeds of dogs and had even four breeding couples of each breed you would go over the guidelines. When I pressed further they told me they wouldn't be an irish setter rescue in this state if this breeder didn't exist. Okay so how many dogs are in need of rescue right now I asked? None they replied! And I should point out they did say this lady breeds wonderful dogs and three of the rescue people kept them for that reason!
I want to say thank you to all of you who work in rescue and for the dedication you show to your work. But not all breeders are puppy mills. And I felt the show did point that out.