You could always put in 2 years of training (i.e. “train all the way through”) and just hold off on the actual showing until you have the ILP in place.

But I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for “papers” at this point. The constant name changes are but one indication that this outfit is not one to be relied upon to conduct their business in an above-board and honorable way. I think you just might have to get used to the idea that that’s money out the window.

None of which - of course - precludes your ability to have a lovely time training and interacting with and loving your new dog.

My issue is that I already PAID for the papers, and I should have had them already. I tried to do research on the breeder before buying, but the constant name changes (Elite German Shepherds, Stone Hill Pet Resort, and originally von Fenwald Kennels) kept me from spotting the complaints ahead of the purchase.

—Lone Star Dog Owner

The scam with “vitamins” or sometimes Life’s Abundance food that you mention in your name link is a puppymill tactic.

They offer a “health guarantee” that is predicated on you buying all this crap, and they additionally get a kickback from the manufacturer for locking the consumer into it.

And they know that they can weasel out of the health guarantee because no one can prove they were 100% compliant on feeding/dosing the dog as required.

http://www.akc.org/reg/ilpex.cfm

Just thought I’d offer that up in case it’s useful for you.

http://cindyhiemenz.com

No one can DO anything about it. The AKC is “just a registry”, the State AG has more important things than keeping dog breeders records honest, and the breeder says she’ll get around to paperwork later.

The dog is fine but I paid extra for “papers” that aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on, because THEY HAVEN’T EVEN BEEN PRINTED.

There sould be some way to check with the AKC before you buy that the dogs are legitimately documented.

—Lone Star Dog owner

“Can we dog lovers help to unsell the idea of the “pedigree purebred” as a superior pet? This should not be the sole job of shelters.”

You had me up until that point.

The dog Fancy has existed for about 150 years.

The concept of dog breeds is at least 5000 years old.

Most dog breeds were not invented by the Fancy. They were invented by people who wanted or needed specialized dogs for specific functions.

Even among those who want a pet, there is a wide variation in what people want. If somebody wants a Pom and not a chow/pit/lab mix, I’m not going to tell them all dogs are interchangeable.

I will not give ammunition to those who are trying to destroy dog breeds and dog breeding with false allegations that all of us can just get any dog we could ever want or need from among the random-bred dogs at shelters. Find an avenue to reduce cruel breeding practices that doesn’t involve cutting our own throats. Promote shelter adoptions with a POSITIVE message. Don’t do it by dissing dog breeds.

I know you were only referring to the dog Fancy’s closed studbook model of purebred/pedigreed dogs and not to the broader concept of dog breeds. That distinction is lost among those who already reduce this issue to simple “breeding & breeds are bad” grenades aimed at all dog breeding.

The concept of closed studbook purebred dog breeding vs. other models of dog breeds deserves thoughtful discussion among those who care about breeds. Those who are trying to destroy dog breeds aren’t going to use the ‘unsell purebred dogs as pets’ message the way you intend. They will aim it right back at you.

In anticipation of another round of highly imaginative reading between the lines — NO, I’m NOT making a “yer with us or against us” defense of puppy mills. Criticize them for what they do wrong, not because they produce purebred dogs.

Essentially, a cat is a cat is a cat to most people.

A few people are willing to pay for a particular look in a cat, and a few want a purebred cat with breed-typical behavior (e.g. “doglike” Abyssinians). Some, like Gina, are hoping for a reduced allergen load. A tiny, tiny number want to go to cat shows and win ribbons.

But the overwhelming majority of cat owners are like me — I can get a really nice cat or kitten for free with little trouble. I can even have my choice of colors and coat textures in a random-bred kitteh. I’ve been totally happy with my free cat choices in my life. Why would I spend money for a purebred cat? I’ll spend money to adopt from a shelter (have done so three times), because I perceive that I’m getting good value in terms of vetting, and to support the shelters.

So, lesson for the dog world here?

The puppymill industry depends on “the Fancy” to sell the idea of “breed” as “brand” to the potential dog-owning public. This started in earnest after WWII, when everybody was getting a tract house, a Ford, and an AKC beagle.

Can we dog lovers help to unsell the idea of the “pedigree purebred” as a superior pet? This should not be the sole job of shelters.

I will grant that the situations are not entirely parallel; functional dog breeds vary drastically in size and behavior for a reason, and different forms of dog are suitable or preferable for different owners.

But millers would have a harder time making a profit on the “pure bread” morkie-poo pups if potential buyers were comparing them to the small mixed-breeds down at the shelter, instead of viewing them as higher value because of the marketing hype.

Comment by peggy Richter — November 2, 2009 @ 7:26 am

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This is what worries me with the prospect of replacing puppy mills with backyard “Amway” breeders.

Of course I want the mills closed. But I don’t want their closure to just drive the production of equal numbers of “excess” puppies. Excess meaning they are dumped in the shelters as babies or, worse, 12-18 months later, when their poorly (or un-) screened buyers take them there.

I already see plenty of this on Craigslist, people “just trying to feed their family” by selling purebread puppies.

Yes. Bread.

And don’t even ask how some of them spell
“Chihuahua.”

As in, “I traded up my breeder mommy for a home on Park Avenue with maid service and an in house chef”.

Sean keeps asking if he can go with them.