It's easier to adopt a child than a dog

[bjh]

Yes, puppy mills are horrible and unfortunately it is typical in our vast country for it to be all but impossible to put a stop to that type of thing.

One of the problems resulting from puppy mills is that their irresponsibility causes genetic defects to be introduced, sometimes outside of the mill itself. A lot of puppy mill dogs have seizures, skin problems, lots of health issues because each dog is practically its own grandpa, so to speak.

[mimosa]

they are not saying ANY store bought dog is a puppy mill dog. that dog may be ok, it's the mother of that dog that has been used for all these years and almost dead and not allowed out of a cage. I never knew ab out this before and everyone should be educated to NEVEr

[leorah]

Originally Posted by bjh

Yes, puppy mills are horrible and unfortunately it is typical in our vast country for it to be all but impossible to put a stop to that type of thing.

One of the problems resulting from puppy mills is that their irresponsibility causes genetic defects to be introduced, sometimes outside of the mill itself. A lot of puppy mill dogs have seizures, skin problems, lots of health issues because each dog is practically its own grandpa, so to speak.

The problem of inbreeding is not isolated to puppymills nor wholly attributable to them. In most cases, reputable breeders started the problem when insufficient foundation stock was used to start a particular breed. When the breed registries were closed and no more outbreeding was allowed, the genetic pool was set. The breeders of decades ago could never have envisioned the growth in popularity of purebred dogs, so they didn't plan for (and probably didnt' know about) the genetic impact of such exponential growth on the small foundation stock gene pool. The genetic problems rampant in some breeds could be addressed in part through a controlled program of outbreeding, or allowing registered dogs to breed outside of the ranks of pedigree dogs of the breed.

[bjh]

Correct. Puppy mills are not the sole source of inbreeding. Though, I don't think anyone was suggesting that.

There is an expression, "hybrid vigor." That referred to the greater general health of mutts, because of their genetic diversity.

To each his own, but I'd rather have a mutt. There are a lot of beautiful mixed breed dogs.