The truth is that an overwhelming majority of pet store puppies come from puppy mills. Puppy mills are nothing more than inhumane breeding factories, and their main reason for operation is to MAKE MONEY!! If you come across a Boxer in a pet store, PLEASE DON'T BUY IT! Think of it like this, if you do buy that Boxer, you are only perpetuating the abomination of puppy mills and you are condemning the parents of that Boxer to a life of untold misery. In the end, that puppy in the window will cause you tremendous heartache and expense.

Because the younger the puppy is, the more marketable it is, puppy mill puppies are often taken from their mothers at 4 or 5 weeks old. They are then sold to a broker, who intern sells them and ships them to pet stores. These puppies are separated from their mothers much too soon, and are deprived of human contact, which leads to improper socialization. Because of this, they may not get along well with other dogs and are often not good with people, especially young children. These puppies also face overcrowded conditions and continuous inbreeding. They are unlikely to have sound temperaments which makes aggression common. This situation results in either expensive training bills or the prospect of euthanasia of your "cute" puppy.

The first ten weeks of a puppies life are crucial, because they are in the developmental phase. They need to be in a sanitary environment. Puppy mills are, for lack of a better word, filthy. The dogs are usually not fed or watered on a regular basis, extremely thin, dirty, and matted. Puppy mills are breeding grounds for the following conditions that are common in pet store puppies: worms, upper respiratory infections, ear and eye infections, mange, coccidia, and giardia. Be aware that lack of sanitation during early puppy hood will cause lingering health problems.

Puppy mills do not care about the mothers either. They are bred every season, receive little or no veterinary care, are given only enough food to keep them alive, and then are euthanized, shot, or bludgeoned to death when they can no longer produce puppies.

Pet stores are interested in selling you a puppy; they are not interested in whether or not that puppy will suit you or our family. You want that one...you have the money...ok, sold. When dealing with a pet store, you will not receive any of the advice and help that you would receive had you purchased from a reputable breeder. 

A common misconception is that people who adopt a puppy from a pet store feel that they are saving the puppy, when in fact all they are doing is perpetuating the problem. Here are a few questions to ponder: Does anyone really believe that pet stores care who is paying for their puppies?  What is their motive? What the future life of the dog will be?  It is heartbreaking to see a puppy sitting lonely and possibly ill in a pet shop display cage. But you have to look at the big picture...How many puppies will be condemned to the same fate? Each puppy you "save" will be replaced by another one, while it's mother is literally bred to death.

I am glad that you took the time to read this page.  Adding a new member to your family, one who will hopefully be we with you for 10 or more years is an important one. Please do it right, and AVOID pet stores.