Commercial

[Big RR]

@W--while I fully agree that purchasing a pet is best done in person, I think many people do not live anywhere near breeders and their only recourse would be to go to a pet shop, who often (but not always) deal with puppy mills.

When I adopted my dog, which is of a fairly rare breed that I selected because of my wife's allergies, I originally dealt with the breeder over the internet (it's the way we find things), and then had several telephone conversations with them about the breed, what they recommended we would need, and other pertinent things (like spaying, since we were not going to show her). Once we both felt comfortable, we discussed how we would get the dog here as the breeder was 800 miles away.

They would have shipped her, but I opted to travel out there with a friend and pick her up, primarily because I wanted to see the place (and it was a small farm like in the commercial) and also because I felt uncomfortable sending so young a dog by air. But then, I had a car and the weekend time to go on a 1600 mile, many people do not. While I think it is preferable that breeder and buyer meet, I do think we live in a society where business can be done at a distance and we can get all the relevant information without meeting in person.

So while I understand the SPCA concerns, I don't agree with their conclusions.

[Joe Guy]

The sad thing about that commercial is when we find out the lady was only happy to see the puppy because she had sold It. The puppy seemed happy to see her because it seemed to think it had made it home.

Other people may feel the need to invent reasons to be outraged if they want to be victims of a commercial.

[Big RR]

Again, I think the commercial was a poke at the rank sentimentality some commercials use--they Budweiser Clydesdales commercials are a good one. It kind of like having jeff (or was it timmy?) having a new dog when lassie finally got home. It's not intended to be serious IMHO.

[wesw]

yeah when I was searching for dogs last winter I had my heart set on a Carolina dog. but I wasn t able to drive to Tennessee at the time

[BoSoxGal]

The sad thing about that commercial is when we find out the lady was only happy to see the puppy because she had sold It. The puppy seemed happy to see her because it seemed to think it had made it home.

Other people may feel the need to invent reasons to be outraged if they want to be victims of a commercial.

While I agree with Big RR that the ad was likely intended to be a poke at rank sentimentality, the fact that the puppy was happy to see her and felt it had made it 'home' is, in fact, an indication of not a puppy mill, but a responsible, ethical breeder of purebred dogs. One of the hallmarks of a great breeder is that they socialize pups to people, other pets, and various situations during the 8 weeks prior to weaning and delivery to the new owner. One of the most important factors that the AKC and veterinarians will tell prospective buyers of pups to consider is the home environment, how well the pups are socialized to people, etc.

I was considering buying my first ever purebred dog here in Montana a few years ago - I'm very fond of Australian shepherds and there are a few premier breeders here. They all have web pages, but they generally prefer that prospective owners come in person if possible. However, they sell to folks all over the country and it is very commonplace for purebred pups to be shipped (in appropriate weather), and for far away customers to learn about the breeder through references, etc. rather than onsite inspection.

I am a strong supporter of the ASPCA, HSUS, and other such organizations - but there is no doubt that they are generally against purebred dog breeding even by the most responsible of breeders, because their mission is to save as many dogs as possible from euthanasia - 4 million per year are put to death in this country in kill shelters. Ultimately, it's my like-mindedness with ASPCA that caused me to adopt a Great Dane rather than purchase a purebred - and I'll probably never purchase one.

However, I am pragmatic enough to realize that some folks want purebred dogs so they can have a reasonable expectation of looks, behavior, intellect and temperament of their family or show or working dog. I think it does the cause of decrying puppy mills harm to equate the situation pictured in this ad with a puppy mill.

Here's a puppy mill:





And here, but don't open this link if you don't have a strong stomach: http://canine-world.com/mills.html

[oldr_n_wsr]

A buddy of mine always gets pure bred goldens and trains them for field trials. His latest dog he got from a breeder in Oregon (maybe Washington state, I forget). Before being allowed to buy the dog he underwent background checks, and needed references. He then drove crosscountry to pickup "Boomer".

My dog "Apollo" is a "hand-off" black lab. My sons freieind got him from his girlfreind (a lab breeder) and when he changed housing, he couldn't have dogs in his new place. We took him in. Great dog, will do anything for us and loves all people and other dogs.

[Big RR]

I wonder if a cross country car trip with a stranger is better for the dog than a quick 5-6 hour plane ride in a crate. I would think the plane ride would be far more comfortable than 3-4 days in a car.

[oldr_n_wsr]

Plane ride is quick. But the ride could be a bonding experience too. Even with a stranger. Gets the dog used to people in general.