Understanding the Breeder World

• Author : My Pup Central Team
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• Blog Category :
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• Created on 11-05-2024

Let me guess…you are looking for the perfect puppy to bring home. You are scrolling through endless listings and information on the internet, trying to determine what breed is best for you. You want the absolute best match for your home and lifestyle to create a life of fun adventures together. That’s amazing! We are thrilled that you’re doing your research and starting on this journey as prepared as possible. Although is there anything that can prepare you for the roller coaster of adventure you will be on with your puppy as you bring them home and begin the training process? Probably not, still it’s best for you and your new dog to make sure you know what breed best fits your lifestyle and educate yourself on the nature of this breed.

In your hours of scrolling the web I’m sure you’ve come across the words “puppy mill”. It sounds terrible, not something you want to be a part of! What is a puppy mill you might ask yourself? How do I find a puppy without supporting a puppy mill? Are all breeders considered puppy mills? It’s all confusing if you have not been down this road before. Let us try to answer some of your questions.

First, the dog breeding world and the laws controlling it have evolved over the last 20 years. They have changed for the good. A LOT. Years ago terrible breeders would raise dogs in kennels filled with small cages giving them no room to run off their energy and live a fulfilling life, breeding them every possible chance until their dog was worn out and then leaving rescues and shelters with the job of trying to repurpose these dog’s lives. This inhumane way of raising dogs resulted in puppies having lots of health and behavioral issues. That is what you call a “puppy mill”. Raising dogs with no regard for their happiness, comfort, or health is inhumane and we will never support it.

Over the years the standards have been continuously raised and laws have become much stricter. Most breeders who did not care about their dogs have been shut down or dropped out because of too much work being involved. While there may still be a few of those puppy mill breeders, there are a wealth of good breeders now who genuinely care about their dogs and want to give them the best life possible. The good far outweighs the bad. These breeders focus on creating a fulfilling life for their dogs by having large play yards for them to run in, giving them outside access to go potty and hang out at all times, having cozy beds, lots of toys, having spacious inside living areas that look more like a beautiful pet hotel than what you might expect in a kennel. A mama can care for her babies in a relaxed and comfortable environment, giving them the absolute best start in life. We have visited kennels that are much nicer than the average American’s home. Most kennels have 24/7 video surveillance to watch for any issue needing immediate attention and employees to help out with daily cleaning, grooming and simply playing with puppies and ensuring their dogs get the individual love and attention they need. Other breeders may work on a smaller scale where their entire family gets involved in the process and give the puppies daily love and attention and the utmost care. Generally in the state of Ohio if you own more than four adult female dogs, you are required to be USDA and ODA licensed. Some breeders are also approved and routinely inspected by American Kennel Club, American Humane Society, and Canine Care. These associations have their own set of laws and standards adding a higher level of accountability that even the state and federal laws.

As dedicated dog lovers and breeders, we bring a unique perspective to the dog world. Our mission goes beyond simply presenting happy, healthy puppies to you; we are committed to using our experience and influence to educate, provide guidance, and continuously elevate standards within the dog community. We approach this responsibility with the utmost care, knowing that our work has a lasting impact. Every puppy we photograph and every piece of advice we offer reflect our dedication to nurturing healthy, happy dogs and supporting families in becoming responsible, informed pet owners. This isn’t just a job for us—it’s a calling we hold with pride and purpose.