BarbV
Forums Celebrity
Unfortunately, it is true that there appears to be no legal terminology regarding what constitutes a puppy mill.
The only legislation in place deals with issues regarding substandard care to the animals.
Therefore theoretically, you could find a website that sold multi-breeds of purebreds and "fashion-mixes" and if they were maintained in humane conditions, they would not be classified as puppy mills.
There are thousands of breeders who are "not" puppy mills but breed all the fashionable mixes of yorkie-poos and cockadoodles, etc. I like to think that the majority are humane breeders, but it does not make me like them anymore. This is a fine line and one I find difficult to cross. I'm a purist, I guess, and I don't mind experimenting with crossing breeds to develop a better breed of dog, but I fundamentally object to the fashion breeding currently going on.
p.s. As a business owner, however, this fashion breeding is my livelyhood! Also these "mini"s require special foods, clothing, boots, etc. to protect them from the elements. I supply that. Big sigh!
The only legislation in place deals with issues regarding substandard care to the animals.
Therefore theoretically, you could find a website that sold multi-breeds of purebreds and "fashion-mixes" and if they were maintained in humane conditions, they would not be classified as puppy mills.
There are thousands of breeders who are "not" puppy mills but breed all the fashionable mixes of yorkie-poos and cockadoodles, etc. I like to think that the majority are humane breeders, but it does not make me like them anymore. This is a fine line and one I find difficult to cross. I'm a purist, I guess, and I don't mind experimenting with crossing breeds to develop a better breed of dog, but I fundamentally object to the fashion breeding currently going on.
p.s. As a business owner, however, this fashion breeding is my livelyhood! Also these "mini"s require special foods, clothing, boots, etc. to protect them from the elements. I supply that. Big sigh!