Puppy Mill Dogs are Causing Breed Deterioration

One of the saddest realities of puppy mills are that they are causing the careful breeding of dogs to deteriorate. For years people have bred puppies because they like a breed. These family run operations would put their dogs at stud or allowed the females to have a litter rarely, so the dogs could recover. The breeders would be careful to accent the better aspects of the breed, and thus they would be less likely to have infirmities typical to the breed. And they would be proud of this: for example they would guarentee the hips of their pets.

But puppy mill operators have caused breed deterioration. You are much more likely to get a weakened puppy if you purchase without knowing the breeders.

I actually believe that mixed breed dogs are more hearty. Like the eugenics of the Nazis, breeding along a narrow spectrum can cause more problems than it solves. But if you choose a particular breed JUST BECAUSE YOU WANT TO - please, please know the breeder so you are sure you are not buying from a puppy mill.