Page 21 - Assisi Paw Prints issue 95

and their littermates to the vet for these as well socialisation and this can cause behavioural
as flea and worm treatment. If there is no record of issues later on in life. Being separated from the
this, question it! litter too early can stop them learning how to
interact properly with other dogs and those born
● Do not feel pressured to buy your puppy. A in puppy farms tend to be more nervous,
reputable breeder will understand you wanting which can come across as aggression as they age.
to go home and think about it, whereas someone
more concerned about money may use tactics to ● Dogs are often bred irresponsibly (such as Stella)
make you buy the dog that same day. resulting in serious health implications later in
life. For example, German Shepherds are prone to
hip dysplasia and a responsible breeder would
have a vet screen their dogs for a hip score
before making puppies, whereas someone who
is only concerned about making money would
not. This results in poor genetics and a lot of
unnecessary pain.

● Mothers will be bred ‘back-to-back’, meaning
every season possible without any time to recover
until they physically cannot have any more litters.
This causes numerous health issues including
exhaustion, hernias, pyometra, and mammary
cancer. The older the dam is, the more dangerous
this is. In 2020 we had an 8-year-old bichon
frise rescued from a puppy farm. She safely
delivered 3 puppies and she was rehomed not
long after. Sadly, we recently learned that over
breeding had taken its toll on her body and she
had passed away just 1 year after finding her
How puppy farms affect a dog’s health forever home.
and development
● When breeding for a particular look, such as
Stella’s flat face, puppy farmers will often inbreed
Short term:
without caring for the future implications.
Inbreeding can result in serious health issues and
● Puppies typically have their first vaccination when
makes a dog more prone to breed-specific
aged 8 weeks old, with a second vaccination
illnesses, such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
following 2-4 weeks later. Often dogs on puppy
and syringomyelia.
farms are not vaccinated, as veterinary care
costs money and money takes priority
● You may not get the breed you expect! For
above health and welfare. Being born on a puppy
example, you may be sold a small fluffy dog that
farm, to unvaccinated parents and surrounded
you have been told is a shih tzu, as you
by other unvaccinated dogs will leave
feel that a little lap dog suits your
your puppy incredibly vulnerable to
lifestyle. However, as it grows you may
deadly diseases such as parvovirus.
learn that you have actually bought a cockerpoo,
who is bigger than expected and a mix of a
● Responsible breeders will ensure that puppies
typically high energy cocker spaniel and
are deflead and wormed before being rehomed,
notoriously anxious poodle.
whereas puppy farmers will not. If a pregnant
mother has worms, she can pass them
Remember, in that moment you may feel like you’re doing a
onto her pups and if left untreated they can cause
good thing ‘rescuing’ a puppy from a puppy farm. However,
vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, inability to put
paying the people running these operations you are
on weight/weight loss, dehydration, and even be
inadvertently supporting them and causing more dogs such
fatal.
as Ginny, Stella, and Sierra pain and suffering. Our girls had
a lucky escape, others aren’t so fortunate.
Long term:
Lucy-Mae McCallow
● Dogs taken away from their mum and littermates
too soon (before 8 weeks old) miss out on vital
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