Need Advice on a 6 LB Lhasa Apso Puppy Mill Momma

The con? You're PAYING a puppy mill for a dog. You're funding their practices. I wouldn't do it.

Another long list of cons includes that the dog will probably be impossible to house train, a fear biter, totally unsocialized, etc. It's highly likely that the dog will end up with whatever genetic defects are common to Lhasas, and have big temperament issues. 

To me the biggest & only reason to stay away from this is the fact that you'd be supporting a puppy miller.  She's only going to use the money she gets from you to continue her animal abuse.  I know you want to save this girl but think of the bigger picture.

I can`t ever seem to write everything that I should into any of my posts the first time. These people are getting out of the business of being Puppy Mill Breeders. They now have full time jobs and want the extra time when not at work to be with their children. They want someone else to buy the dogs to continue on with the breeding frenzy. So I thought that I maybe could stop at least one from moving on to the next Puppy Mill to be a breeder of many puppies and it would be a good thing.

I am worried on what she would be like if I got one. Temperament, social, etc. I have Molly to think of first when bring in a new dog into the house.

I don`t feel as I am supporting a puppy miller if I take one female dog away from the business of producing puppies. Maybe I`m seeing this in a different light. I was thinking that it would be like taking a lady of the night off the street for good. 

Anyway I want to know what you guys think as it will help me decide on what I should or not do.

First off my question on the matter would be what got you calling about these dogs in the first place?  Is this an impulse buy/tug on the heart strings.  You don't have to answer me on that, but it is something I would be asking yourself in the situation.  If these are mill dogs then I would be worried about health.  Look up all the diseases that Lhasa Apso's get and ask yourself if you have the money for the vet bills should this dog's genetics be poor.  If your not going to visit the dog before buying, the next big thing I would be worried about is temperament.  The dog could be the sweetest little creature on the face of the earth, or she could have every problem you can think of and then some.  This is especially important to think about since you already have a dog.  At the very least in any situation I would want my current dog to meet any potential add ons in a neutral area to see how things are going to work.  Even then there is the chance things can go South once you get back home, but at least you'll know it isn't going to be raised hackles on first sight.

Also ask yourself if perhaps there is a better and safer way to save a life.  There are a lot of rescues and shelters out their with dogs who need loving homes.  The difference between adopting here and from a rescue is one, you are supporting a shelter that can use the funds to help other dogs, and two, the staff will be able to tell you the temperaments of the dogs and help you find the right fit for your home.  Even so, I would never fault a person for saving the life of an animal, mill or otherwise.

EVERYTHING Krissim Klaw said -- and

• This dog is completely unsocialized -- she's been cage kept and all the best socialization opportunities are gone - but I'd betcha she knows how to fight (particularly with another female)
• Given that she wasn't bred yet she's likely out of their own litters -- limited breeding stock and huge likelihood of inbred problems - I'd bet there is a REASON she hasn't been bred yet
• I wouldn't want a female since you've got a female -- that's going to increase your temperament problems
• This dog won't just be unsocialized to other dogs but with humans as well -- this is a USDA breeder -- tons of dogs, tons of cages, NOT a living room dog.  I'd think this dog would need to go to someone without other dogs and without kids and without big social needs.  This dog will be a TON of work -- just on basic sociaization.

What Krissim said.  I would pay $120 for a shelter Lhasa and then donate the difference to a rescue. 

I agree that the dog will probably have some major temperment issues and probably wouldn't get her for this reason. 

But I can understand where you are coming from by saving this girl from someone else who would breed her.  I know that's an unpopular view here on this board, but I definitely see your point of view and your desire to save her.  It's not her fault that she was born into that mess.  It's not her fault she was brought into a life of greed and stupidity.  We love all dogs and we want to help each and everyone no matter who "owns" them.

mollymoo

These people are getting out of the business of being Puppy Mill Breeders. They now have full time jobs and want the extra time when not at work to be with their children

That'sthe story this month...next time they need to get rid of a lot of dogs it will be something different. The sad fact is you do not know they are getting out of business....and trusting people who make their income selling ANYTHING is not wise, IMO.

I'd offer my number for them to call if they cannot place any of the dogs and need a place to GIVE them to. I'd not give them a penny of my money to fund further operations...which I have little doubt there will be.

 I agree with RWBeagles. Plus, didn't you say something about finding a RESPONSIBLE breeder next time after the last drama-filled thread about where you got Molly?

 You can't say you don't know better at this point, than to support a BYB or PM. So it's a concious choice. Please don't give them any money.
 

All I will say is the reason Lhasas have a bad reputation is from puppy mill puppies.  Please contact a rescue or a resposible breeder - see ALAC's (American Lhasa Apso Club) website for breeders, they operate under a CODE OF ETHICS.....If you have questions about any of them or a breeder close to you PM me.  Thanks

~Melissa  (ALAC member, Twin City Lhasa Apso Club VP and future RESPONSIBLE Breeder)

Krissim Klaw - It was the tug on the heart string thing. A rescue in my mind. To take a dog out of the puppy mill system.

mrstjohnson - Thank you for understanding where I`m coming from. Its really sad to think about what kind of future these dogs will have the rest of their lives.

Pwca - you are so right in what you said that I said but I think that I said either a rescue or a responsible breeder. Well when I saw the ad rescue jumped into my mind. Not supporting a puppy mill - rescuing a dog that will soon be used as a puppy factory.

Anyway you guys are probability right about temperament problems, unsocialized, etc.

Lhasa Luv - I`ll check out the ALAC`s website. I`ll get a hold of you if I need any help. Thanks --- Love the picture of your dogs in your sig.

So as they say back to the drawing board.

If Oprah's show on puppy mills would have aired before I found this ad I never would have posted here about her. I would have followed my gut instinct and my heart and went as saw her (with Molly) at least and then made my decision. Maybe a rescue in your minds is much different than what my mine says. I read a reply on a post on this forum of someone homing a puppy mill older dog who had had pups, never walked on grass, etc. and everything turned out fine. This was a year old which is young had never even had pups yet. I don`t blame anyone but myself as now know I know what the rest of her life will be like and I`m not smiling.

I don't support puppy mills or bad breeders.  But, I have a hard time with not helping the puppies.  I have the same issue with stray cats.  They say feeding them makes the situation worse.  I have a hard time letting them starve out there. 

mollymoo

I don`t blame anyone but myself as now know I know what the rest of her life will be like and I`m not smiling.

It is your choice to buy whatever dog you wish, but if you had paid money for this young dog you would not have been rescuing her. Giving money to a breeder is not rescue. It is supporting that breeder financially.

Yes, you could have taken that dog and saved HER from a life of pumping out puppies. And in giving a puppy miller money, you would be contributing to the suffering of MANY MORE dogs.