[Jax08]

Bottom line....

When you bought those puppies, your money supported a "dang puppy mill", whether you knew or not. Many of us have before we knew what to look for in breeder. You didn't rescue a puppy. You bought it. I have two BYB boxers that I bought and one rescued GSD adopted from a kill shelter. Now, going forward, you have the knowledge to make a smarter decision. What's done is done. but if you don't want to hear what people have to say then you shouldn't ask the question.

Where in PA are you? As far as food goes, I've tried 4Health. It's ok. My Boxer does well on Canidae, better than she did on 4Health. Victor is supposed to be coming to PA. Annamaet is available in southern PA and used to be a pretty decent price. Stay away from TOTW for puppies. To much calcium.

 

[Sunflowers]

I wish this would have been asked *before* the purchase.

People come here and ask after the fact, then get upset at the answers they receive.

 

[huntergreen]

kellina sounds a bit inexperienced, i hope she got lucky and her dogs and her dogs remain healthy and problem free. i hope she sticks around and learns more. i would suggest she should neuter her male also.

 

[Jax08]

kellina sounds a bit inexperienced, i hope she got lucky and her dogs and her dogs remain healthy and problem free. i hope she sticks around and learns more. i would suggest she should neuter her male also.

:thumbup:

 

[Freestep]

I love my pups and I am not supporting a dang puppy mill...

You do realize, that you DID support a puppy mill by giving money to them.

You didn't know better at the time. Now you do, and you won't make that mistake again. Many people here have bought from puppy mills and backyard breeders when they were young or new to the breed, because they didn't know better--so some of us made the same mistake.

But don't say you didn't support a puppy mill.

The important thing is that you realize your mistake, and don't repeat it!

As for the food... there are so many choices these days, that it can be confusing. Just recommending a brand of kibble can start a fight here, as some people are fiercely loyal to certain brands and badmouth any other. Some people won't even touch certain brands because of recent recalls. And some people will say you are a terrible dog owner if you feed anything less than the most expensive kibble made.

So I didn't want to recommend anything specific without knowing what pet supply or feed stores are in your area and what your budget is, but if you only have the supermarket, at least grab some Iams or Purina Pro Plan. I seem to see at least one of those in every grocery store I've been to.

I get my kibble from Costco. It is called Nature's Domain, and is a grain-free, premium kibble. It comes in a turkey formula and a fish formula--both are good, and at the price--about $30 for a 30 pound bag--it's a great value.

 

[RebelGSD]

The Amish are good at sales. When the puppies area ready for sale, they bring the mom and pups in/around the house and leave the impression that they are home raised. I had people tell me stories as to how wonderfully their puppy was raised, running around on a wonderful farm and raised with the family. People are clueless.

Just sad how many people get fooled by the show.

 

[myshepharley]

I live in Lanaster County, Pa. Lancaster puppies is not a puppy mill itself. It is a website. A website that advertises for many breeders all over Pa. While alot are puppy mills, you do find some that are reputable breeders. I personally do not think that mills should be able to advertise but it is their right. I know someone who does some of the photography for the website. Good breeders have their own website but one in awhile you can find a good one on there. As for the OP, you should be able to find a TSC near you. My GSD does well on 4Health. And it is affordable. There are better foods if you can afford to pay more. How close are you to Lancaster? That Fish Place has all your top line foods and have just added Fromm. They also carry Earthbath products for your grooming needs. Hope to see some pics of the pups.

 

[huntergreen]

I live in Lanaster County, Pa. Lancaster puppies is not a puppy mill itself. It is a website. A website that advertises for many breeders all over Pa. While alot are puppy mills, you do find some that are reputable breeders. I personally do not think that mills should be able to advertise but it is their right. I know someone who does some of the photography for the website. Good breeders have their own website but one in awhile you can find a good one on there. As for the OP, you should be able to find a TSC near you. My GSD does well on 4Health. And it is affordable. There are better foods if you can afford to pay more. How close are you to Lancaster? That Fish Place has all your top line foods and have just added Fromm. They also carry Earthbath products for your grooming needs. Hope to see some pics of the pups.

i wouldn't bother with a breeder on this type of website. i can get a puppy anywhere, it is what you can expect after the sale that matters. also, how many of these pups end up in rescues as there is no screening of the potential buyer.

 

[kelina]

I live in Lanaster County, Pa. Lancaster puppies is not a puppy mill itself. It is a website. A website that advertises for many breeders all over Pa. While alot are puppy mills, you do find some that are reputable breeders. I personally do not think that mills should be able to advertise but it is their right. I know someone who does some of the photography for the website. Good breeders have their own website but one in awhile you can find a good one on there. As for the OP, you should be able to find a TSC near you. My GSD does well on 4Health. And it is affordable. There are better foods if you can afford to pay more. How close are you to Lancaster? That Fish Place has all your top line foods and have just added Fromm. They also carry Earthbath products for your grooming needs. Hope to see some pics of the pups.

Yeahh. You are right.

These are the pups.

 

[kelina]

i wouldn't bother with a breeder on this type of website. i can get a puppy anywhere, it is what you can expect after the sale that matters. also, how many of these pups end up in rescues as there is no screening of the potential buyer.

Yeah I can agree to you as well. I was recommended to greenfield/lancastor pups.
But now I know the way SOME work..

This guy was selling husky pups, REALLY cheap..he sold pups at his home and he has his own Facebook page just full of the dogs.. she got spayed a couple months ago.

So I mean how can someone say all greenfield and lancastor pups are puppy mills and blah blah..m

 

[Lucy Dog]

So I mean how can someone say all greenfield and lancastor pups are puppy mills and blah blah..m

Because they more than likely are. Most people here aren't new around dogs. This isn't their first time to the rodeo. Someone mentioned this earlier in the thread, but... if it walks like a duck, looks like a duck, quacks like a duck.... You probably know the saying. This Lancaster place is the duck.

In the end... and at this point, who cares? You've got your dogs now and you realize you made the mistake of supporting a not-so-reputable breeder / puppy mill. Live and learn. You didn't know and now you do. Just do good by the dogs you have and don't make the same mistake next time around.

 

[NarysDad]

Yeah I can agree to you as well. I was recommended to greenfield/lancastor pups.
But now I know the way SOME work..

This guy was selling husky pups, REALLY cheap..he sold pups at his home and he has his own Facebook page just full of the dogs.. she got spayed a couple months ago.

So I mean how can someone say all greenfield and lancastor pups are puppy mills and blah blah..m

All that matters at this point is that you are happy with your pups and hope to see some pictures of them soon

 

[kelina]

Because they more than likely are. Most people here aren't new around dogs. This isn't their first time to the rodeo. Someone mentioned this earlier in the thread, but... if it walks like a duck, looks like a duck, quacks like a duck.... You probably know the saying. This Lancaster place is the duck.

In the end... and at this point, who cares? You've got your dogs now and you realize you made the mistake of supporting a not-so-reputable breeder / puppy mill. Live and learn. You didn't know and now you do. Just do good by the dogs you have and don't make the same mistake next time around.

Agreed!

 

[kelina]

All that matters at this point is that you are happy with your pups and hope to see some pictures of them soon

I have pics of them : ))!!

 

[myshepharley]

Yeahh. You are right.

These are the pups.

Nice looking pups!!

 

[Chicagocanine]

Puppy mill, BYB, either way not a reputable breeder and not someone that it is good to support...

At any rate now you know to come here if you are looking for a dog in the future so we can help you find a good breeder...

 

[Liesje]

Good breeders do not use a puppy mill broker web site to sell puppies. Typically they have a waiting list and often have all of their puppies sold before the birth or before they go home at 8 weeks. I won't use terms like "puppy mill" or "BYB" or "reputable breeder" because they all mean different things to different people. Bottom line is I personally don't pick out puppies on a puppy broker web site. I find a breeder that actually BRED the dogs and ask about their lineage, their health history (several generations back), as to meet the dogs or at least the mother, observe some training/work, etc. and then if I like what I see I get a puppy. It's not like shopping on Amazon.

 

[kelina]

Good breeders do not use a puppy mill broker web site to sell puppies. Typically they have a waiting list and often have all of their puppies sold before the birth or before they go home at 8 weeks. I won't use terms like "puppy mill" or "BYB" or "reputable breeder" because they all mean different things to different people. Bottom line is I personally don't pick out puppies on a puppy broker web site. I find a breeder that actually BRED the dogs and ask about their lineage, their health history (several generations back), as to meet the dogs or at least the mother, observe some training/work, etc. and then if I like what I see I get a puppy. It's not like shopping on Amazon.

Not all people find it necessary to look for the work of the dog.. I like my pups just the way they are. I seen their mom and I could careless about their grandmom, great grandmom.. etc.

As long as she was hip certified and I seen the record then im ok with the pup. Where would you find a breeder? Your friend? Backyard breeding?? You look online for a breeder..

But like yu said thats you and I completely respect your personal opinion.

 

[kiya]

Aside from the thousands and thousands of unwanted puppies that turn into dogs that end up in shelters then euthanized, you have to also think of the poor dogs that are "USED" to produce countless litters of puppies then disposed of as well when they have more use.
You find a "REPUTABLE" breeder by doing research and learning from people that love the breed and dogs in general.

 

[Dainerra]

Not all people find it necessary to look for the work of the dog.. I like my pups just the way they are. I seen their mom and I could careless about their grandmom, great grandmom.. etc.

dogs are more than hips, that is only one aspect of the health of a dog. What did they die of? How long did they live? What type of temperament did they have? Were they mellow or hyper? Did they get along with children? Were they nervous around strangers? Were they protective?

There are so many aspects of what makes a GSD a GSD. I want to know what to expect of my puppy as he grows up. How fast will he grow? How long before his brain "clicks in"?

As to how to find a good breeder? Simply a matter of talking to people who own dogs that I like. Once I have some ideas, then I start interviewing the breeders and "talking dog" Why this dog with this bitch? What are the pups going to be like? Will they fit into my lifestyle? Am I a good match for this litter? etc etc etc