This just might be the most important information to read when buying a puppy, to ensure you have bought a healthy, happy puppy, and that you have not become part of a puppy mill.

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We have heard many terrible stories about puppies who didn't have a good start, and they often had to be put down or ended up in the system, never having a forever home.   This truly is heart breaking and should be for anyone who loves animals.

 

Families often think that they can overcome a puppy’s bad start, but often this is not possible, and the family has a heartbreaking experience.  The first 8 weeks really do matter, and are the foundation for life.  Do your homework and choose a good breeder.

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One story that has always stood out for me is a family that adopted an 8 week old puppy from a barn.  This sweet tiny German Sheppard cowered in the corner and was terrified of them.  The puppy was so young, they thought if they loved it enough, it would learn to trust and love them.  They had to hire a trained, at a considerable expense, as the puppy was unmanageable in the house.  By the age of 2 they thought they had turned the corner with the dog, and things were looking hopeful.  However when the new baby arrived, the dog turned on the mother who had the baby in her arms.  Both survived the attack, but the mother had multiple serious injuries and required many treatments and surgeries.  The authorities insisted that this very young dog be put down.  When they came to us as a potential adopting family, as we spoke about what a puppy needs, and what a puppy needs to be protected from, the mother told me that everything I had said they could identify with, and then told me their tragic story of their adopting the German Sheppard pup that was born and raised in a barn.   Their story could have been much worse, and this needs to be considered by everyone looking to adopt a puppy.

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There are many cheap puppies on the market .... but why?

There are people that will accept a deposit from any one .... but why?

 

Our puppies are never outdoors in cages, barns or pens of any kind. Puppies are not vaccinated and just start their puppy vaccines at 8 weeks of age and not fully vaccinated until 6 months of age and need to be protected from parasites and viruses that they can pick up and carry. We introduce them to the outdoors in a chosen and controlled setting, limiting risks, while always under our watchful care and never EVER alone outside.

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We have no outdoor cages for our adult dogs, our environment is kept natural and all our adult dogs sleep in the home with the family.  Ethically raised and loved.  Most dogs that live outside feel neglected and are lonely.  

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We strongly believe the first 8 weeks are the foundation of every puppy's life, and every aspect matters.  Puppies need love, warmth, clean air, dry blankets, training and socialization.

 

Puppies raised in barns (dusty and cold, with animal feces in dirt and in the air) or basements (damp, often mouldy and cold) lack love, warmth, socialization, and clean air; all of which are essential for health, growth and proper development. These environments are typically full of mould, bacteria, parasites and viruses, and puppies can pick up and carry disease that will effect them later in life.   Puppies should never be in a filthy or cold environment, as they will have little chance for a healthy future.  

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I have read many government recommendations that advise how to avoid a puppy mill and these are very helpful for folks, so look for this in your area.  

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Many times it is recommended that you look carefully at the pictures and the videos for the environment the puppies are in.  However, PUPPY MILLS OFTEN USE STOLEN PICTURES AND VIDEOS!!!  We saw a few of our pictures, in 2018, in other ads on kijiji, and we reported them.  We have heard from other breeders that their videos were being used and they were powerless to have the authorities stop this.  

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We have heard of a puppy mill that had a beautiful website, so don't trust this alone!   A website is often recommend by the SPCA as something to look for, however this is not fool proof either.

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Two other challenges also come into play, with Covid-19 and the risk of puppy theft, seeing a breeder in their home has changed for many breeders.  

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Covid-19 regulations must be followed and many breeders do not want a multitude of strangers in their home and handling their puppies, which is completely understandable.

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Puppy theft is very real and needs to be taken seriously.  Puppies that are stolen usually end up in puppy mills and are bred repeatedly in terrible, often scary environments, and subjected to a life of true horror and absolute neglect.  We do everything possible to protect our puppies. 

 

When a breeder gives out their address or location online they are left to wonder who they gave their address out to.  When breeders did or do invite people into their home they are left to wonder if they invited a potential thief into their home.  Many breeders have sleepless nights fretting with the risk of puppy theft.  In the fall of 2021 a full litter of puppies was stolen from a home in Nova Scotia while the dad was outside cutting the grass.  The puppies were only one week old and the chances of survival, without the mother dog, was very doubtful.  The mourning and heartbreak the mother dog would have gone through would have been undescribable.    

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OUR BEST RECOMMENDATION, is to see the breeder live in a video call, wherein you can see the breeder in their home and the environment the puppies are living in.  Not a video, a live video call.  It is the next best thing to being there in person, and gives you a very real understanding of the puppy's life, living environment and their breeder. 

 

Ask the breeder questions and see if they know and understand care of a puppy.  Ask about the various puppies and their temperaments.  Ask about the puppy's day and stage of development.  People who run puppy mills maybe able to post great websites or ads, as they copy it off the Internet or reputable breeders, but don't actually understand or know anything about puppy development and care. 

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We do video calls with our families as we are very proud to show our potential adopting families our puppies, and the wonderful way they are raised.  Most families notice how calm our puppies are, and this never gets old for us.  We truly love our puppies.  

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Most puppy mill buyers don't want to do a video call with us, and run when we request this.  

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Puppy theft is very real, as are puppy mills.  We seriously consider the children of our families who are expecting their new best friend and how tragic it would be for them if their puppy was stolen.  

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We hope our families appreciate how seriously we take this threat and how hard we work to protect their puppy while it is with us. 

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A great breeder and a great forever family, makes a great dog.  We are here for support for the life of our puppies/dogs.

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TIPS on How to Recognize A Puppy Mill:

• ask to do a LIVE video call if you can't go in person.  If you can't do either, RUN!                      Note: many top breeders won't have visitors due to the risks to the puppies and their vulnerable immune systems.  Therefore, ask for a video call to see the breeder and the puppies in real time.  Ask to see the mother dog and the puppies environment too, live in real time.  

• don't accept just pictures or videos of puppies as they may be stolen images.  

• don't be fooled by a website alone.

• Ask questions about the breeder, the puppies daily life, and how to raise and nurture a puppy.  Ask about how they train their puppies.  Feel free to use us as a guide as to what a puppy truly needs.  

• Question why someone would sell a puppy and not screen you, the buyer.  Just send a deposit is a huge red flag.  

• Do you just request a male or female puppy, or pick from a photo, or does the breeder take the time to match the individual puppy's temperament to the family's needs.  

• Question why a puppy's price is cheap or below market price.  (it costs money to raise puppies properly).

• Do you sense the breeder loves the puppies, or just wants to sell them.

• Trust your instincts.

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Our puppies are $2500 and well worth it

as they will be given the foundation for a successful life.  

There are cheaper puppies out there, but the saying

"you get what you pay for" is very true in the puppy breeding world.

Our deposit structure and probably the answer to most questions, 

is in the 'Terms and Conditions' section

at the back of our application.  

K9 Golden Breeder

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