The Boxer is the perfect family/companion dog and once you’ve purchased one he/she will weedle it’s way into your heart so quickly, you won’t be able to stop the love you feel for your cherished friend, even if you tried. You will most likely think of them as one of your children, buy them presents at Christmas time and dress them up for Halloween.
Now imagine after all the love you have put into this blessing, something suddenly is wrong. It could start with a lack of energy or you wake up one morning and your loved one has passed on. How you will chastise yourself for purchasing a cherished part of your family from a backyard breeder or pet store.
Unfortunately, especially in the case of a Boxer, this is a reality. Boxers carry many life threatening genetic defects. Many of these defects have been passed on or dare I say caused by irresponsible breeders, out to make a quick buck. Would you pay more to get your loved one back, if it were possible? Of course you would. Almost anyone would pay whatever the cost to have a cherished member of their family back with them.
Back Yard Breeders- Back yard breeders will breed any boxer. There are no health checks and screenings done, because those are expensive. There is no concern for their pedigree, because Boxers with excellent pedigrees are expensive. They advertise “AKC Boxer” Any Boxer who’s parents are registered, are “AKC” All that means is the dog is a purebred, NOT WELL BRED! They will breed Boxers that do not meet the standard and are not good examples of how a Boxer should look or act; such as white Boxers, Disproportioned Boxers, Behavioral Boxers etc… Backyard breeders will sell to anyone. Placing a Boxer in a home is a huge responsibility for the breeder, who is responsible. There are thousands of Boxers in rescue missions around the nation. Many due to being placed inappropriately. As a responsible breeder would you want your puppy going to a puppy mill or a home where the family Doberman pincher is going to rip it apart as soon as it gets there or possibly to a couple who spent their tax money on your Boxer, but can’t provide any veterinarian care. These are only a few examples of what backyard Boxers face, once they are placed. So, you go ahead and save a few bucks by buying from a back yard breeder. You gave a least one puppy a good home Right? Yes, you did; however you have supported the backyard breeder, making it desirable for them to continue breeding and all those puppies who are placed in bad homes will suffer.
Pet stores- Lobbyists around the country are protesting Pet stores who sell puppies. Why? 98% of all pet store puppies come from puppy mills. What is a puppy mill? It is the worst place on earth for a dog and especially the Boxer. If you search “Puppy mill” on the internet you will find thousands of horrible details concerning puppy mills. Puppy mills have all the bad qualities of a back yard breeder and so much more. The dogs are kept in small wire cages and are bred until their bodies, literally, give up. The puppies live in the same environment where they are never touched, held, talked to or socialized in any way. Many times they are placed in cages with other dogs and frequent fights injure them Many of the adults and puppies lose legs due to getting them caught in the wire cage. These puppies often have severe behavioral problems, as well as, health issues. 50% of all pet store puppies come to their new homes with a communicable disease.Pet stores charge outrages prices for these poor puppies and the buyer will continue to pay and pay and pay. Pet stores always tell you the puppy came from a reputable breeder they trust. There is no such thing! Why? Because, Joe backwoods nutcase can walk in and say, "I have 27 pitbulls and I want to buy a puppy for them to use as target practice" and the pet store will say, "Credit or debit?" A reputable breeder would never sell a puppy to a pet store! Please do not support puppy mills by purchasing a puppy from a pet store.
Amy's letter:
I looked through the past puppies page, and again I was very impressed. I very much like the fact that you refuse to sell a puppy on full registration to anyone in a puppy mill state. I myself am working with the USDA and some local rescues in my area to get a puppy mill shut down. I'm happy to say I was able to provide the USDA with a lot of evidence and information to help the case. Too many people don't understand the full effect puppy mills have on not only dogs, but people, too (ie financial burden of sick puppies because of poor breeding).
Please follow the link below to view a movie on puppy mills and pet stores.
Back Yard Breeders and Pet Stores
The following is my personal opnions on BYB and Pet stores. The information that helped form my opnions has come from many different resources; such as, internet sites on pet stores, puppy mills, reputable breeders and a wide variety of books on Boxers and Breeding.
This is how Bubba feels about BYB and Pet stores.
Rocky's Story:
Sue,
I just came across you wonderful website. I have a boxer named Rocky who is now 10 months old. I love him like I have never loved a dog before. Unfortunately when I got him I didn't know much about selecting a boxer and I bought him from a breeder but probably not the right one. By age 4 months he developed cancer on his face and needed surgery. Then I found out he had lung problems and will require inhaled steroids for life. I would not change a thing about getting him because he has brought so much joy to my life but I know that losing him will devastate me. At this time he is doing well and we are working towards our Canine Good Citizen and also attend agility training which he loves. Boxers are the most incredible breed of dog I have ever known and I love your attitude towards them. Thanks for sharing your passion.
Sharon.
This is a short story about a phone call I received a while back. I wanted to share it with you because it seems to say alot about the things pet stores will tell you to sell you a puppy.
A woman called me awhile ago because she wanted some advice about purchasing a puppy from a pet store. Her and her children had found a white Boxer in a pet store and after snuggling up with it for awhile, they had fallen in love. She had some concerns though, so she was calling Boxer breeders. The content of our conversation was the following: The pet store had told her white Boxers are rare (False) They told her she could not see the vet certificate or AKC paperwork until she purchased the puppy (???????, definetly hiding something there) and the puppy had two different colored eyes (Never heard of this in a Boxer, mixed breed perhaps) Obviously, all of this raised some red flags, so she called around. Of course I couldn't recommend she purchase this puppy.
