Many people don't know how to spot a mill and even less know what to look for. These helpful hints will allow you to spot mills and allow you to find a true happy and healthy dog.

 

1. Look at the kennel -- A true breeder will make the kennel clean and tidy. They will have indoor and outdoor runs without dogs crates piled one on top another with the urine and other waste droping on top another dog. Ultimatly the kennel should look professional (clean, tidy).

 

2. Don't buy from petstores --- Not all petstores sell Mill dogs. However most that don't post where the dogs are from(example: humane society and rescue missions), if this isn't posted and you are not sure ask where the dogs are from. If they say a breeder walk out, no respectable breeder will sell a dog to a pet store, because they like to know where their dogs go.

 

3. If from a kennel ask to see the parents --- If a respectable kennel they should have one parent in the kennel if a pup, or, if an adult dog have pictures of the parents. If they don't have this or the parents do not look healthy and happy to you or they aren't pure bred pups, leave. No respectable breeder will sell any mixed breed pups due to CKC Rules and Regulations aswell breeder ethics.

 

4. Ask what testing they do --- Most if not all kennels test to their dogs to see if there are any problems which is inherent to the breed. If they do not do the testing, then they aren't breeding for the betterment of the breed. We recomend you leave, due to you don't know what problems the dog may have.

 

5. Observe what questions they ask you --- Most breeders will ask you about your lifestyle, your home and address to make sure you can take care of a dog from their kennel. Also to check up on you to see how the dog is doing. If all they ask you for is money then use step # 1, 3, 4 to see if they are respectable. If in your mind they fail then don't buy from them. All breeder of quality will ask you question about yourself, to get to know you.

 

6. Don't buy 'pure breds' without papers --- No breeder of respectable quality will sell any pure bred dog without papers. Also no pure bred dog is allowed to be sold without papers. If they try to sell you a 'pure bred' whatever, without papers. Don't buy, either that dog was bred against both CKC rules and breeder ethics, or, that dog isn't pure bred but looks so much like one they feel they can try to sell as a pure bred.

 

7. Use common sence --- If the kennel, owner, or anything else doesn't make you feel right, trust your judgement. Common sence has a lot to so with the these steps. Listen to it and then make your judgement.