International dog scammers strike West Michigan

[Laura]

Charmaine wrote:

The one thing to remember about shelter pets is they are in there for a reason. Some bite, some refuse to housebreak and have other bad behaviors.

Wow... there ARE people that talk (and thing) like this? As someone who works with rescue, the main reason dogs are being dumped today are economic reasons. People have to cut back somewhere, and unfortunately it is the pets that suffer. Yes, SOME bite but frankly, if you put me in a cage I would bite you too. I can't believe you are suggesting people shouldn't get rescue dogs. If people want to spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on a dog that is their business, but do NOT bad mouth dogs in shelters. The #1 reason the majority of these dogs are there are their human owners who get rid of them. Plain and simple.

[Tired of the hypocrites]

Charmaine wrote:

The one thing to remember about shelter pets is they are in there for a reason. Some bite, some refuse to housebreak and have other bad behaviors. If you get a shelter pet, and I have several times then my advice is the younger ones have less problems. Otherwise be prepared to iron out other peoples training mistakes. Just how much did you pay for the leather sofa the last puppy ate anyway?

WOW! Now there's an over-generalization! That's like saying all "reputable" breeders breed good dogs. My dogs are from rescues and have never bitten anyone. My sofa is still in tact. And both are completely house broken. Must be your "income" for selling an overbred species is threatened by rescues and shelters. Do dogs a favor and spay and neuter your animals.

[Happy Mom]

I think its disgusting that most of you have condemed this woman for trying to buy a puppy. There are a ton of orphans in michigan, yet people keep having babies. If someone wants to buy a purebred puppy, that is their RIGHT. My gosh, someone does not deserve to be ripped off because you dont agree with the dog they are getting. If you feel so passionately about it, go adopt a house full for yourself. Puppy mills need to be stopped, but ethical and responsible breeders are what keep great breeds and bloodlines around.
I have contacted MLIVE about these scams and the yorkie ones for some time now, with no response. I am glad wood actually persued it.

[Tired of the hypocrites]

Just my opinion, but I've never seen any need to have a "purebred". It just reminds me of Hitler looking for a "pure" race of people. Dogs are like people in that respect. Bloodlines don't necessarily dictate behavior.

[Happy Mom]

Tired of the hypocrites wrote:

Just my opinion, but I've never seen any need to have a "purebred". It just reminds me of Hitler looking for a "pure" race of people. Dogs are like people in that respect. Bloodlines don't necessarily dictate behavior.

No they dont necessarily dictate behavior, but dogs are animals and not people. Specific breeds were bred to specialize in certain areas over the centuries, and many people have a passion in preserving specific breeds. Its preservation, not racial selection. Breed does not always dictate behavior, but different breeds are better at different things whether it be GSDs that make better police dogs, or retrievers that tend to make very good service dogs for handicap people. Greyhounds have their speed, and terriers were always used as exterminators of vermin. Professional breeders celebrate the history of the breed and strive for perfection of the breed. Thats ok in dogs, they're dogs, not people. Its not like breeders think that any dog that doesnt fit the standard should be euthanized like Hitler did with people.

[Tired of the hypocrites]

Happy Mom wrote:

<quoted text>
No they dont necessarily dictate behavior, but dogs are animals and not people. Specific breeds were bred to specialize in certain areas over the centuries, and many people have a passion in preserving specific breeds. Its preservation, not racial selection. Breed does not always dictate behavior, but different breeds are better at different things whether it be GSDs that make better police dogs, or retrievers that tend to make very good service dogs for handicap people. Greyhounds have their speed, and terriers were always used as exterminators of vermin. Professional breeders celebrate the history of the breed and strive for perfection of the breed. Thats ok in dogs, they're dogs, not people. Its not like breeders think that any dog that doesnt fit the standard should be euthanized like Hitler did with people.

No, it's not that breeders think mixed breeds should be euthanized, but so many are because dogs keep multiplying. I see no harm in celebrating the history of the breed, but I think it's a little sick when people try to make money off them. It's like doggie prostitution.

[Laura]

Happy Mom wrote:

Its not like breeders think that any dog that doesnt fit the standard should be euthanized like Hitler did with people.

Actually... that's exactly what many (not ALL) breeders do. If there's the slightest defect, even just in the 'markings' they will throw them in the pound no questions asked. Again, not all breeders, but I have seen it happen again and again, mostly back yard breeders, where if the dog doesn't look/act 'perfect', it's just thrown away

[not a golfer]

Some dog breeds are nothing less than freaks! Purebreds have a lot of health problems specific to the breed which is an indication right there that things are not right. I don't get why dogs cost money and cats are free when cats are MUCH better pets.

[mama knows]

Laura wrote:

<quoted text>
Actually... that's exactly what many (not ALL) breeders do. If there's the slightest defect, even just in the 'markings' they will throw them in the pound no questions asked. Again, not all breeders, but I have seen it happen again and again, mostly back yard breeders, where if the dog doesn't look/act 'perfect', it's just thrown away

I have two dogs here that were "defective" one, a beagle we got from the humane soc. and a shitzu(sp?) that my daughter had with her boyfriend(another ex-boyfriend) andthe beagle has protruding eyes which is considered a defect, and the shitzu has an overbite/deformed lower jaw. The people who bred the shitzu have five adult dogs in the garage that never get out and just are there to breed. They had three of the latest pups in the house where they were fed if someone remembered. The last time they had shaved Bear's(the shitzu we now have) fur they cut him all over cause he "wouldn't sit still, so oh well" Luckily we now have permanent "custody" of the little guy and he is precious. That's why we have four dogs, and I cannot stand the idea of people breeding dogs when there are sooo many already!

[fed-up]

Laura wrote:

<quoted text>
Actually... that's exactly what many (not ALL) breeders do. If there's the slightest defect, even just in the 'markings' they will throw them in the pound no questions asked. Again, not all breeders, but I have seen it happen again and again, mostly back yard breeders, where if the dog doesn't look/act 'perfect', it's just thrown away

I agree, and some breeders do have pups "put down" if they don't meet the breeders standards.