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Dog Questions and Answers

Free handy dog questions and answers for dog owners on various problems concerning their favorite dog breeds.

What is puppy mill?

Mr.Guy777: What are puppy mills?
I recently asked how much are puppies at the wildside pet stroe and they told me not to buy one from there because they get the puppies from puppy mills. I have no idea what they are

Answers and Views:

Answer by Rooster
a puppy mill is a place where dogs are rapidly bread to reproduce, sometimes with their own family members. They are bread purely for the sake of selling for profit with disregard for all the animals that are in shelters who desperately need homes.

Answer by Anna
Puppy mills are places where they have dogs who just breed and breed and get treated like cattle. Truely disgusting.

Answer by Fizzle
It's how you get puppyburger.

Answer by AS
A puppy mill is a place where they use (keep) dogs for the purpose of breeding. Some female dogs never play or live lives a normal dog would because all they do is have puppies until they're too old to do so. Needless to say that's animal abuse and in order to have these puppy mills go out of business people often suggest you buy from a certified breeder or adopt from a shelter.

Answer by Steve
They are bred and bred with sympathy for the dog basically they are breeding sanctuary .

My bad they are bred ( without ) sympathy for the dog .

Answer by Eddie
Puppy mills are places where the dogs are bred purely for profit, the animals are kept in very small cages and usually end up swimming in their own feces and urine. They almost always have Canine Parvo Virus or Distemper, a lot are born with heartworms because they don't treat the parents with preventative. Animals in puppy mills are abused and neglected, they aren't compassionately cared for. Most pet stores get their puppies from puppy mills and backyard breeders. They rarely get any vaccinations. The mother dogs are pregnant again before their previous litter of pups are even weened. It's a horrible, horrible situation.

Answer by cat & jo
Puppy mills are places where pet grade dogs are bred to produce as many puppies as possible as cheaply as possible occurs. The breeding dogs often live in filth and are confined to smalll spaces and the females are bred every cycle, often breeding until they die or have illnesses that prevent reproduction. The puppies are sold cheaply to pet stores that up the price, hugely. The puppies are often registered and sometimes are designer dogs that don't have to be registered but can still be sold for high prices. There is no breeding for the love of producing good quality puppies and taking good care of the mothers and not over breeding them. When people buy from pet stores that buy their puppies from puppy mills, they are in effect, supporting that puppy mill.

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Do you have good experience with Greyhounds?

Musique De La Nuit: What are your experience with Greyhounds?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Emily
A friend of mine has one and loves hers. Skinny, but that's about it. She says it gets along well with other dogs and is very social. I would consider adopting one that is planning to get put down, there a tons of them. That's where her family plans to get their next one.

Answer by John
They're really interesting and it's great to give one a home if you can.
What they say on the website in the link below is fair and honest.

My last dog was a 3/4 greyhound /lurcher and she was one of those very rare 'heart-dogs' that you get once or twice in a lifetime if you're lucky, my present dog is a little black female greyhound who started off all timid and is now blossoming. Of all the people I know with greyhounds, they always replace with the same breed. Greyhounds are addictive too, people often end up with 2 or 3 if they have the space.

Answer by adopt a greyhound
Greyhounds are very gentle, laid-back dogs, and one of the sweetest breeds you will ever find. They are always very grateful of any attention that they get. It is very common for them to be timid and shy of new things. However, they are always eager to please.

Many do get along with other dogs, but because throughout their whole racing life, they only interact with other greyhounds. Therefore, it is quite common for greyhounds to snub other breeds. Be very careful with a greyhound around smaller dogs and cats because greyhounds will see them as prey.

They live an average of 12 years. As they get older, it is common for them to have spinal problems as well as thyroid problems.
Depending on the problem, there are medications out there to help with both.

When you first adopt a greyhound, you may need to teach it about windows and walking up stairs. Since they have not seen these things on the track, they do not know how to walk up stairs. Nor do they know what a window is, and many times will try to go right through them. However, if they greyhound you adopt has been in a foster home for awhile, it will more than likely already have been trained on these things.

If you are thinking about adopting a greyhound, and need more information, please feel free to email me. I have a ton of info. for you.

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How to decide if a Yorkie puppy is a good one to purchase?

sfialkina: How to choose Yorkie Puppies?
How to decide if a Yorkie puppy is a good one to purchase. There is litter of such puppies I will be seeing. One is a girl, the other is a bigger puppy, and the last is the smallest of the bunch, a wee boy puppy. Are smallest puppies bad? I see photos and the small one is the prettiest of the group.

Are there criteria for choosing the best Yorkie puppies?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Female.Lycanthrope
The smallest is the runt of the litter, and it may be wise to choose the other ones.

But, please remember, puppies will not stay cute for long. They are a lot of work and they require your patience.

Just I suggestion, but I would try to look at your local animal shelters/humane societies to see if there is a Yorkie dog you can adopt. Who knows, maybe they have a Yorkie puppy there!

Answer by gud ole kuntry boy
I would look at them all and choose based on their personality. They all pretty much look the same.

Answer by Sybil
Watch how the puppies react towards you and each other. You want to get the puppy that comes up to you wagging his tail. Unless you know a lot about training dogs, don't get the one that comes to you barking or the one that hides out in the back of the pack, both could grow to have behavorial issues.

Answer by Louise m
just wait till you get there as you will find the puppy will choose you, but i also agree with the going to a rescue centre as it is the same with them.

Answer by ♥PoodlePuff♥ bybrs kill dogs
Yes there are.

But not for a particular puppy in a litter.

There are criteria for choosing a good breeder!!!

Make sure that the parents of these puppies have had ALL possible health tests to be sure that they have not passed any problems onto the puppies.

Short of that it really doesn't matter which one you pick unless you are looking for a show dog.

Answer by zena e
You know what I just chose a Shiz Tzu I fell in Love from a litter and which I just bonded with
and My Zekes is 13 years old and still is lovable cuddly cute and fun..

Sometimes just go with your own vibes and choice.

Answer by Paul.
It depends if you want a large Yorkie or a 'teacup' Yorkie. Obviously if you want a smaller dog, then choose the smallest in the litter that you bond with. Size at birth is a good indicator of the size the pup will be when full grown.

Also, teacup Yorkies aren't recoginzed by the AKC. The term is only used to refer to small Yorkies.
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What happens to the puppies in the pet stores?

idawnh: how do we stop puppy mills?
everyone says not to buy puppies from pet stores, I totally get it, but what happens to the puppies in the pet stores? Do they get sold back to the puppy mills? This is a disgrace! I want to stop the puppy mills. There are some puppies that would love a home with someone. They can be rehabliated or at least deserve some kindness.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Jen
First you need to learn that there is no legal definition for "puppy mill." So, in all reality, they don't exsist. There are commercial breeders, but ... even a lot of your commercial breeders are not really what you'd call a "puppy mill."

Answer by Beatngu
To stop them would be impossible.... I mean, you have these puppy mills and BYB that breed mutts and sell them for a thousand dollars when in reality, the same mutt is at a shelter that needs a home, plus, the one at the shelter has been fixed and has had all shots and such.... you know what you get from a shelter... not a BYB.

The way to stop would be for these idiots who pay these outrageous sums to these BYB, to stop spending all that money on them.

So, until the idiots are stopped.... I'm afraid there isn't much hope.

Answer by alias boxer
Those puppies are either euthanized or taken to shelters. That's right -- the "filthy" puppies in shelters are often the same ones that were sitting in a pet shop window just a week prior, with a $ 1000 price tag.

The only way to stop puppy mills would be if EVERYONE stopped buying puppies from pet stores. You can do your part by not shopping at all in pet stores that sell puppies (places like PetSmart are OK). Educate people you know so that THEY don't buy puppies from pet stores.

This website has fliers that you can print out for free to spread the word about puppy mills.
http://www.prisonersofgreed.org/download.html
http://iupucbio2.iupui.edu/bml/petstore.html

Answer by Nurop shnup
I think the best we can to is educate and avoid those who contribute to them. Contact The Humane Society for more info. I get a newsletter through email.

I once read, from another source that nearly 10 million cats and dogs are put 'to sleep' every year. I don't know how anyone could be so cruel and continue to breed them just for money.
They are life, not stuffed animals!

Answer by Be-Co-Be <3 My Gorgeous Dogs
Puppies in pet stores, are usually then given to shelters. So, they find nice new homes from there!

As you said, never buy from a pet store. If you do, you will be putting money in the puppy mill's pockets, and make room for one more puppy mill.

How to stop puppy mills? Inform and educate every one you know. Never buy from a broker, pet store, of back yard breeder.

If we all work together, we can succeed!

Answer by Pamela D(midget12_
To Jen in reality the should be called puppy farms, a dairy farm produces milk, a cattle ranch produces beef cattle, a pig farm has pigs, chicken farms and so forth.
Well they are mass breeding puppies so why not call them puppy farms?

Answer by starbaby1981
The only way to stop puppy mills is to stop buying puppies from pet stores and shady websites or newspaper ads. Pet store puppies that aren't sold will probably be euthanized or possibly given to a shelter. It breaks my heart, but you have to see the bigger picture.

Every time someone "rescues" a pathetic little pet store puppy, a slot is opened up for another puppy to be shipped on a truck from a puppy mill to the pet store. As soon as 4-10 puppies are sold, it means that an overworked breeding female, who's spent most of her life pregnant, will be forced to give birth to another litter in squalid conditions. (After this litter, the owner might decide that she's no longer profitable, and she'll be shot, drowned, or strangled to death. Hell of a lot cheaper than humane euthanasia.) Repeat this scenario millions of times, and you can see what keeps the puppy mills in business.

So while you may be saving an individual puppy, you're also damning another puppy, and another "breeder b**ch", to a hellish life that I doubt you can even comprehend. Voltaire said "No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible". So you may think, "I can't make the puppy mill problem worse by buying just one puppy", but when millions of people think that, you're ALL making it worse.

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Are Dalmatian dogs easy to keep and good with children?

Bluebell: advice on Dalmatians please?
my 2 children would like a dalmation pup..are these dogs easy to keep, are they good with children..do they need a lot of exercise..or can anyone recommend a better dog to get
Answers and Views:

Answer by Cocker Spaniel Luver is sad :(
No offense but dalmations are pretty hard headed. So they are not a very good dog to get... very, very, very hard to train.

Answer by Lioness
Yes, they do require a lot of exercise.
They are also prone to a number of health issues.
Google them, do more research, and then decide of you think they really are cut out for you. There are TONS of sites that have info on many different breeds that will tell you all about their pros and cons.

Don't start dreaming up the perfect dogs on 10 Dalmatians. That is not the real story. They can be difficult.

Answer by animalcrazykid
If you like a neat house, don't get a dalmation. You should probably get a small dog like a yorkshire Terrier. The only problem with those is that they need to be brushed. But they don't eat or exercise a lot.

Answer by Eddie Mix
Dalmations are excellent with children I have two and they love the kids

Answer by cameo's mom
Ooh! They are sooo cute! A Dalmation is a great dog. So is any dog with much training. These dogs have a need for running room and will require training like any other breed. Depending on the age of your children many dogs would be a good choice.
I always recommend this: Go to an A.K.C. dog show in your area and check out the doggies there and you will fall in love with the many breeds of dogs you will see. However remember that these doggies are very much well trained and that is a large part of why so many people love them when visiting. Spend as much on training as you possible can for what ever doggie you choose. Check out as much information as you can for the breeds available to you. Talk to as many people as you can that are truly knowledgeable about several breeds and then make a choice. Do not pick a dog just because of it's color or fame in the picture industry, it may well not suit you as it grows older etc. (that goes for a lot of breeds) You will want to think about grooming, training, size, how long they live, boarding costs etc. before making an informed decision on breed choice. As for me, I love them all, but best of all, I love a "trained" doggie!

Answer by Sierra H
it is vary good with children,and so r Boston Terriors

Answer by jelly210
Need lots of exercise and can get quite over excited. They also tend to be scavengers. I used to work at RSPCA and if a family wanted a dog we would recommend a cavalier king charles ( not the red ones!) as they are pretty bomb proof. x

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Are Chihuahuas subject to a lot of health issues?

Elfie: Question about Chihuahuas?
I really want to get a Chihuahua, but I've heard they can be subject to a lot of health issues. For those of you who've had a Chihuahua, how is your dog in regards to health? Even if you don't have a Chihuahua, can I have your opinion on whether or not I should get one?

Please no rude or mean comments.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Rainbows Rule
Chihuahua's are ADORABLE:D lol ! Well if u want a cute dog that will melt your heart than yes. But if you think you will have problems with it's health issues, then no. Money comes into those things. Good luck !!

Answer by Sophie
Actually, they're probably one of the healthiest breeds around these days.

Answer by Alice Green
well, we have never owned a chinchilla but i would tend to stay off dogs with diseases. As it would cost more and would be upsetting if the dog got ill from disease. It is entirely your choice though, and the dog, may not be affected by its illness. Though having one of our dogs get sick from the hereditary illness was expensive as well as upsetting, and we have stuck to dogs which have no health problems, such as english pointers :)

Answer by Erica Cartman
My friend had an awesome little chihuahua :) Sadly, she ran away. I think the problem with dogs like that is their size, so you need to make sure you have the right size property, can keep them away from children or other dogs that may injure them etc., just because they are very small (but quite yappy lol!).

In terms of health, every dog comes with problems. Pugs have breathing difficulties; small dogs in general have problems with their anal glands (my dog has major issues with them); dachshunds have lung problems; shihtzus have eye problems; Japanese hairless need to wear sunscreen and thick jumpers because they have no body heat; dalmations can go deaf...I think your biggest problem would be that they tend to bark a lot haha!

They really can be sweet, though. I love the breed. If you want something slightly bigger that LOOKS like a chihuahua but may be a little easier to train (not that they're untrainable), then I'd go with a papillon, which are apparently the most intelligent small-breed dog and very very cute :) Good luck.

Answer by Emma
The Chihuahua is:

- Perfect for apartment dwellers due to the small size;
- They do not do well with children;
- Excellent for adults and the elderly;
- They do not tolerate rough play;
- He is loving and devoted to his owners;
- He is capable of alerting you to strangers, but because of his size of course is not able to do much else.
- He needs to be socialized early in life to prevent behavior problems;
- He can be paper-trained;
- The long-haired type Chihuahua requires daily grooming;
- He normally has a soft spot in the center of his head which will need additional protection;
- He should wear sweaters and coats in cold weather.

About Chihuahuas - http://www.dog-pound.net/chihuahua/chihuahua-as-apartment-dogs.htm

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How does the temperament change in a grown St. Bernard compared with a puppy?

AlbertaBoy: Question About St. Bernards?
What is the minimum to maximum number of puppies per St. Bernard litter?

Also, how does the temperament change in a grown St. Bernard, compared with a puppy St. Bernard? Apart from the obvious; I mean St. Bernards' temperaments particularly.

Answers and Views:

Answer by LegallyBrunette0
St. Bernard Temperment:

Saint Bernards are extremely gentle and friendly and very tolerant of children. Slow moving, patient, and obedient. Extremely loyal, this breed wants to please. Since this dog is so giant, be sure to socialize it very well at a young age with other people. It is highly intelligent and easy to train, however training should begin early, while the dog is still a manageable size. Teach this dog not to jump on humans starting at puppyhood. Bear in mind that an unruly dog of this size presents a problem for even a strong adult if it is to be exercised in public areas on a leash, so take control from the onset. The Saint Bernard is a good watchdog. Even its size is a good deterrent. They drool after they drink or eat. Be sure you remain the dog's pack leader. Dogs want nothing more than to know what is expected of them and the St Bernard is no exception. Allowing a dog of this size and magnitude to be unruly can be dangerous, and shows poor ownership skills.

Answer by cody
ive seen a wolfhound healthfully give birht to 12 pups and a mini pinscer give birth to 1
theres always execptions to averages
as for st. bernards they tend to be lazy as adults and rowdy as puppies

Answer by Loki my springer!
The St Bernard will give the average litter of around four pups. There have been times where that number has in fact, been reached and passed but most Saints will not have past six in one go. Of course.. ALL puppies are naturally playful, even when it comes to the laziest of all, St Bernards.

Just as with any dog and aging, you can expect rising levels of dominance, sometimes aggression and even that little bit more Independence. As a Saint ages they tend to take a while to reach that mature adult stage. "Puppy hood" can last for up to around 2-3 YEARS in some dogs.

The St Bernard breed in particular is very loyal, loving and great clowns at times. You can expect a lot of joy when owning such dog. And I'm telling you now..it's well worth the DROOL.

Answer by jeff
the first st Bernard I owned had 15 puppys don't know what the max is on them but it isn't 6

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