America’s animal shelters are overcrowded with strays, animals who were willingly surrendered and animals that were rescued from bad situations. Many people do not realize that an animal, particularly a dog, is a decade or longer commitment. Yet many people long for a canine companion and seek out breeders to find their perfect dog.Many times members of the public believe that if they want to add Man’s Best Friend to their family, all they need to do is visit a breeder’s establishment with money in hand and leave with a dog. However, that sentiment has caused countless Americans to unknowingly finance many a puppy mill and other disreputable breeders.
One needs only to search the Internet to discover just how many people have been scammed by untrustworthy dog breeders. Dawn Castillo, Owner and spokesperson for Castlewood Bulldogs states, “Reputable dog breeders care about where their puppies are placed and would never sell one to someone they have never met. Much like adopting a child, many breeders want to know who the interested buyer is, what kind of home life they can offer and aren’t afraid to refuse a sale.”
One of the key components that differentiate a reputable breeder from a mill is the amount of puppies on the property. Customers should pass if the breeder has a large number of puppies on site in addition to possessing a year round supply of puppies. Trustworthy breeders have a limited amount of puppies on hand; typically no more than eight at a time for a larger litter. Additionally, it is very common for many buyers to be placed on a waiting list because they do not constantly breed their dogs.
Another tip that Dawn Castillo stresses is the purchase. She states, “No, and I repeat, no trustworthy breeder will ship a dog. It doesn’t matter if the buyer is in Hawaii and the breeder is in Florida, no breeder will ever ship a dog. Either the breeder will bring the dog to its new owner or the buyer will pick up the puppy at the breeder’s location.”
Investigating the breeder is only a small part of what an interested consumer should expect. Many breeders are aware of the large numbers of dogs in animal shelters throughout the United States and do everything they can to ensure that one of their puppies do not end up in a shelter or abused. Thus, it is not uncommon for breeders to interview potential owners and perform home visits to confirm that the person and his or her lifestyle is an absolute match for one of their puppies.
Puppy mills are a dangerous effect of the breeding industry and breeders want customers to know how to tell the difference between a mill and a reputable establishment. Keeping money out of the hands of the mills is the only way society will be able to eliminate their dangerous effects on animals.
About Us: Castlewood Bulldogs is located in Castlewood, Missouri. The husband and wife duo of Ronnie and Dawn Castillo breed, sell and show their award-winning English Bulldogs throughout the world. To learn more about Castlewood Bulldogs’s services, contact the company by phone at (417) 274-1881, by email at castlewoodbulldogs@gmail.com or visit them on the web at www.castlewoodbulldogs.com .