Loading ...Dog Breeders Not All Good: Gibby’s Story
I wrote this originally over a year ago but think it’s worth re-introducing. This is the story of our white Golden Retriever Gibson, and how he came to be ours…
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Someone asked me on our nightly stroll last night how we happen to find a white Golden Retriever.
I had just read a story on MSNBC called “Buying a Dog? Beware of Breeder.” Since the gentleman asked and I had just finished reading the article, I felt the need to tell him the whole story. (He probably regretted asking me later).
Gibson (the white Golden’s name) was littermates with Benson (our red Golden). When the family chose to take Benson home 7 years ago, Gibson was one of the last two pups left. We felt horrible for leaving him alone. (*Important note: I wanted a shelter dog but the decision was not mine to make.)
The breeder had some serious acreage on his plot with tons of room for the dogs to run around. They had very nice pens, lots of greenery and a big fat sticker and papers that said they were AKC registered. The dogs seemed healthy enough (although you and I both know Goldens are infamously inbred but you can never tell if the breeder lies about it or not) and happy enough.
Benson was a great addition to the family. After he turned 5 months old, we returned to the breeder (without warning) to get Benson’s papers.
What we found was an absolutly horrifying site. The “other” side of the house, the part that wasn’t green and lush, the part with no pens, was filled with trash, overgrown sharp brush (dangerous in the California desert in summertime), old car parts, farm equipment and such. There was no water bowl, no food dish, no nothing.
And then there was Gibson.
He barreled over to us, tail between legs but SO happy to see a human. Gibby was in terrible condition. He was skinny, had bloody feet and was very dirty. (You can really see dirt on a white dog.)
We practically knocked down the door of the place (we had mistakenly happened upon the wrong side of the property) and said we were here to get Benson’s papers, and, oh by the way we are taking this dog and getting your AKC and USDA breeding license revoked.
When we got Gibby home (we impolitely slammed down $500 – more than a fair bargain- on the table and said “we are taking this dog”) and to the vet, turns out he had fleas, ticks, ear mites, and multiple leg and foot punctures from fox tails. Fox tails are these needle-like weeds that are very dangerous to animals in the desert. They enter through the feet and are so thin they can travel in an animal’s blood stream all the way to the heart and puncture it.
We did report the breeder to the AKC AND the USDA, and they both said it’s very hard for them to control every single breeder who displays their name.
You have GOT to be kidding me.
They pretty much just said they would take note of the breeder but they don’t have enough time or resources to get out there.
I personally wanted to stand in front of this jerk’s house and farm and tell every single person who walked up in the next couple months (I assumed the mother was carrying another litter on the “good side” of the property) what this breeder was REALLY about. I would have been arrested though for multiple things and I probably would have wound up in a fist fight with the owners of the place.
The MSNBC story states:
“Just because a breeder has a license from the USDA doesn’t mean much. USDA minimum standards for housing and exercise are bare bones. The agency requirement for cage size…is just six inches taller, wider and longer than the dog inside… The USDA waivers the exercise requirement of 30 minutes per day for at least five days a week if the dog is housed in a cage with twice the floor space.”
The article also says the AKC requirements are less than savory and that all AKC papers certify is that both parents were of the same breed. Who knew?
As far as the AKC goes, it actually says right on their website that they don’t “guarantee the quality or health of dogs in its registry.”
Gibson, whose picture I have used multiple times in this blog since he’s so handsome, thankfully has turned out to be the absolute sweetest, most gentle and observant dog I have ever known. He kisses kids gently in the face when we pass them on the street, he smiles at you (literally) when you walk in the door, he purrs (from being brought up around cats), and has the most delicate nature. He does have that blessed Golden personality but there’s a little something special added in because he came from such hard beginnings. (He could use some help in the training department but that’s our fault for spoiling him rotten!)
I’m pretty sure the fault lies in the actual breeder here, but I was surprised to see the outright lack of requirement that the AKC deems. It was after this happened that I learned more about the horrors of some pet breeders and what some of the animals are subjected to. I have since become an even bigger advocate of shelters and rescue pets.
Does anyone else have any history (good or bad) with AKC or AKC registered breeders? Share your experiences with me please.
Wow. What a crazy story, poor Gibby. We are so glad that you rescued him and he is safe and happy now.
We have never experienced anything with the AKC cuz our dogs are rescues but this is not the first time we have heard that AKC registration is a piece of paper crap really. It doesnt mean anything and the AKC doesn’t care about the dogs from what we’ve heard…
What a horrible story of abuse. I’ve heard about how some breeders have a public viewing scene and a private horror out of view. It’s a shame the AKC doesn’t have any standards or care about the dogs.
OMG, this is terrible. Poor Gibby. Thank God you went when you did otherwise who knows what would have happened to him,
yeah, the AKC paper doesn’t mean anything at all. they dont give a crap about the dogs they “certify.” All they care about is profit, like most companies. Dont be fooled by breeders lauding their name in the future, obviously.
Thank dog and praise cheeses woo got him out of there!
It so sukhks that there are ‘people’ like that around…and being from Pawsylvania I know the ugly side as well.
Akhtually my mom’s khurrent oldest sibe I blog about (Kyrye) came from a breeder who was one of the good ones…Kyrye was 14 last Okhtober and is doing well – all age issues khonsidered.
We khan only hope when their ends khome, the bad ones get theirs.
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: Mom says just WAIT until woo see the passengers she is expekhting to have this khoming weekend!
Sometimes, even well-meaning breeders can spoil an entire breed by concentrating on appearance rather than character. This is what has happened to English Springer Spaniels in North America, who are now prone to something called “spaniel rage” which is never seen in Europe. Sadly, human nature being what it is, greed will always ruin some creature’s life somewhere along the way.
It happens frequently. We have a 9 week old schnauzer (CKC registered) surrendered from a cruelty case right now. The breeder refused to take the pup back! She claims she doesn’t have room. We have contacted CKC regarding this, but doubt anything will happen. There are just too many unethical breeders out there
I agree with Tom and Tanma Chan and DogsDeserve Freedom, Its the breeder’s responsibility to make sure these animals are taken care of and NOT inbred to prevent any future issues. Greed gets in the way too often, a heart-wrenching conclusion for so many animals.
Im glad you at least saved Gibby. Hopefullly that breeder learned his lesson.
I feel your pain about Gibby, but I wanted to put in a few words about good breeders, because Tucker and Daisy came from a dear friend of mine who is the opposite of the horror stories you read. I will be the first to admit that her house is a mess, and it is a farm with things around, but the dogs are house pets who happen to have puppies. This does not make her a backyard breeder however. My friend is a veterinarian, who purposely breeds pet quality Goldens, but she breeds to a champion male every time, and x-rays her dogs hips, and has heart and eyes checked before she ever uses a dog for breeding. I have no idea if she is AKC registered as a breeder, but she does register each litter of puppies. She has a long list of people who want her puppies, either as repeat customers or people who have met her dogs and want one too. She rarely has to do it, but she has a life-time guarentee on her dogs and will take one back at any time for any reason. If only everyone was like this and not just in it to pump out puppies and make money.
I am glad you rescued Gibby, I remember reading his story the first time and being so glad you found him.
Heidi-Tucker and Daisy’s Mom
Grrrrrrrrrrrrr…what an horrible story!!!!
Poor Gibby!!!!!!!
We are so glad that you rescued him and he is safe and happy now!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You’re his miracle!!!!!!!
we love Gibby and you dear friend and hearing these terrible stories made us soooooooooooo sad and furious!!!!!!!!
hope in the future people could be more intelligent and responsible and dogs don’t made suffer again!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing with us…you’re wonderful humans!!!!!!!!!!!
We love you sooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!
P.S.:
we’ve posted your super award!!!
Sweet kisses and pecial cuddles to your furry babies!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for saving Gibson – your story needs to be told far and wide.
Woos, the OP Pack
Poor Gibson. So glad you rescued him.
What a great rescue story. We agree with Tucker that there are responsibly breeders but there just TOO MANY irresponsible ones in it for the money.
More people need to read this story and learn to do research before “purchasing” a dog. Rescue is the only way to go if you ask me…
When I get an owner surrender with “paper” I toss them in the trash! That is all they are good for, trash!
I had a somewhat similar experience with getting my golden puppy. I think her dogs were taken care of pretty well, I wouldn’t call her a puppy miller, but her business practices were terrible. The day before I was supposed to pick my puppy up, she emailed me stating that the 2nd pick people (I had 3rd pick of the litter) wanted to come later in the week, and that she was sorry, life happens, blah blah blah. Well, I emailed her right away stating that the day I had scheduled (months in advance!) is the only day that would work, since it’s a 5 hour car ride and I planned my whole week around this date. She never emailed me back and I ended up calling her at 10pm that night asking if I should still come tomorrow. She told me that it really wasn’t the other peoples’ fault and that she wrote me down for pick up on the wrong date. (Even though the email she sent out CLEARLY blamed the people with 2nd pick reserve). She tried to guilt trip me, stating “the other people are going to be sooo mad… can’t you come next week?” No, I can’t. She didn’t realize people plan their LIVES around their animals. I had my work schedule and school schedule built around this date.
I ended up going the same date as I had scheduled, and when I arrived, she tried to convince me to take home a different puppy. I told this to a coworker of mine, who had a problem with the VERY SAME breeder not too long ago. She went to pick up her puppy (she had 2nd pick female) and the breeder told her she must have “accidently sold it” to someone else the day before. How can a responsible breeder NOT know what she’s selling? She obviously was given a higher offer for the female from someone else and sold her. Then completely lied to my coworker (who drove 6 hours to this breeder without a phone call….)
Sorry I wrote a lot! I’m just very upset about this, and I was given basically the same response when I contacted the AKC. I guess the only thing I can do is keep telling the story to deter people away from her!
Ps. The puppy is great! He wasn’t injured or anything, and is healthy with a great temperament. It’s just too bad that his breeder isn’t a very good person…
anyone who breeds dogs doesn’t like dogs. there is a severe pet over population problem in this country, and anyone who contributes to that is obviously more inclined to make a profit than help decrease the millions of dogs who have to be put down each year. breeders like the breed (I make the distinction between liking a breed and actually liking dogs in general) and most importantly, like the money. it’s disgusting. Please adopt from shelters!
Chris…what a bunch of crap about anyone who breeds dogs doesn’t like dogs!! I’m a home/family breeder who has the time to spend with pups as I am self employed. I have puppies because I LOVE the miracle of birth and my ability to find great genes-the making of great puppies! Having puppies is ALOT of work with little pay in the end-I do it to see the smiles of the families that I match my pups with. And of further note-I know this thread is about inbreeding…mine are NOT inbred.
Oh dear…here I rant again ChRIS…”the distinction between liking a breed and actually liking dogs in general”…are you really THAT stupid? There sometimes IS a difference amongst breeds and who is looking for what. If I were an apartment dweller, I would go looking for a small dog-or if I were a hunter I’d go looking for a specific hunting dog to match my likes and housing style. Yes, shelters maybe great in your opinion, but what are you getting? A dog that has been abused or given up versus raising a puppy right from the start. Do you really want to take a chance on an older dog who might have really bad habits you can’t change, or has been so abused by his previous family that it might rip your face (or worse your kid’s faces off?). So get off your high horse. Breeders or people that raise puppies are not the devil here. Yes, I feel bad for dogs abandoned, so don’t get me wrong…but there are problems that will come with that abandoned dog; so be very prepared for that if ‘PAYING’ to adopt a dog that is already paid for state funding and donations. Sorry…not trying to glorify either side, but he made a very sad case and beat up breeders.
MONEY….MONEY…there is ALOT of $$ to be made selling puppies??!! OMG…I must raise my price because that is Sooooooo not so! Dews, shots, vet checks, puppy pads, puppy food, EIGHT WEEKS OF YOUR TIME….advertising, etc., etc. Sorry, not a lottery ticket I’m holding, not even a scratch off. Maybe we do this for OTHER reasons. Proud to be a puppy loving person!
To Cathy-
I think you need to get off YOUR high horse. Most breeders are only in it for the money and most dogs ARE inbred in my experiences and most other people’s I know. Your comments here just confirmed to me why I do not like dog breeders. They are self-righteous, couldnt care less about the plight of homeless animals so they just keep making more and more, using a female dog like a machine, always impregnating her and making her uncomfortable.
How dare you say that adoptable dogs are “A dog that has been abused or given up versus raising a puppy right from the start. Do you really want to take a chance on an older dog who might have really bad habits you can’t change, or has been so abused by his previous family that it might rip your face (or worse your kid’s faces off?)”
You have no idea and obviously dont give a CRAP about the plight of homeless animals or animals that HAVE been abused. Did you know that over 6 million dogs die in shelters every year? How many of those are YOUR DOGS that arent puppies anymore so they get given up to shelters.
Some people would prefer to SAVE A LIFE than bring an extra one into the world. You are so crass and I cant believe you have the nerve to comment here supporting your “business” of selling dogs for profit. I feel so bad for your animals.
Where do I start. #1 If you are a legitimate breeder you are NOT, I repeat NOT breeding for money. You may have 1 litter a year maybe 2 at the most. You run reference checks on potential owners, you get the dew claws, shots and even get the dogs FIXED!!! BEFORE they go home or you have the dogs are contract to get fixed by a specific date. You take your dogs back should anything happen where the family can’t keep it. Ect.
I do dog rescue and I have NO ISSUE with RESPONSIBLE breeder. Responsible being the key word here. I know people who breed and rescue. And most if not all responsible breeders are involved in rescue because there are so many not responsible breeders out there.
Now Cathy you need a reality check. Just because a dog is a “RESCUE” dog doesn’t mean something is wrong with them. You are very uneducated if you think that. Dogs are DUMPED for so many reasons. Owners are moving and can’t take the dog. Single person gets married and spouse doesn’t like dogs or that dog. Couple has a baby and no time for the dog. Loss of job can’t afford the dog any more. and the #1 reason people don’t get their dogs fixed and end up with a litter of puppies they can’t afford and what is the easiest thing to do??? DUMP THEM!
So, CATHY you are VERY VERY VERY wrong in your belief that rescue dogs are not as good as breeders dogs. I mean seriously where did you think they came from… a self proclaimed breeder. I can’t even tell you how many dogs I have taken from a shelter on they day they were going to die and the shelter hands me there “registration” papers that the owners dropped off with the dog. UGH!
And before you sit here and say how horrible rescue dogs are I want you to contact EVERY single person you have EVER sold a puppy to and find out how YOUR puppy, the puppy you brought into this world is doing. #1. Do you even have that contact information and #2. Do you know 100% for sure that they are still in that loving home you placed them in? How many of your dogs are chained up outside? How many of your dogs spend hours on hours locked in a crate? How many of your dogs ended up in the shelter because the family didn’t want them any more?
I have placed nearly 500 dogs since 2006 and I keep in contact with EVERY SINGLE person who has one of my dogs. I reach out to EVERY person 2 X’s a year and even baby sit my adopted dogs, the come over for play dates and have a yearly party where the all come so I can see them. ANYONE who has been unable to keep a dog due to a life change I take the rescue back. ALL the dogs are fixed and up to date on all vet care PRIOR to going home. AND NONE OF THEM HAVE KNOWN AGGRESSION! I put to sleep any dog that comes into my rescue that is people or dog aggressive.
Get a reality check Cathy and educate yourself to the real issue out there… breeders who are NOT RESPONSIBLE. If you are responsible then you shouldn’t be so angry and leaving message after message about how responsible you are.
If you can say you #1. fix your puppies prior to being sold #2. have your dogs on contracts so that nothing happens to them. #3. Interview in the people that are BUYING your dogs and making sure they are a good home. Not just selling to the first person that comes to your door. #4. Will take them back at anytime and #5. can honestly say without a doubt you know 100% that none of your dogs ended up in the shelter. Then you are good breeder and there is no need for you to act like a basket case on this blog post.
CATHY-
Dont you dare come here to a blog that obviously promotes rescue and defend breeders. How would you feel if you were used to constantly churn out kids?? And then to have your kids taken away from you??