Avoid the Internet Puppy Lemon

This:

The concern is that people who sell dogs over the Internet are able to skirt federal licensing and inspections because they are not considered wholesalers. And because most states don't have puppy lemon laws, an Internet buyer often has no recourse if his or her new dog has health problems. "People are getting suckered," said veterinarian Helen Hamilton of Fremont, Calif. Hamilton said some of her clients have been victimized by Internet dog sales. Many of the puppies are diseased because of dismal kennel conditions, or have genetic defects because of inbreeding and other poor breeding practices, she said.

Rogue Dog Breeders Using Internet

Note to those considering the "purchase" of a dog "advertised" on the internet. You want do be doubly, triply, or even quadriply careful, and check out that breeder, that advertiser, that nincompoop (oops, I'm making assumptions) on the other end of that ad. Check for references. Check for information on that breeder. (A Google search is a good way to confound a Google ad for a disreputable business, because if you're about to get burned, it's likely somebody has been burned before you). Of course, none of these are failsafe, and neither is getting yourself from a local breeder with good references. I've seen people (good friends) nab themselves a poodle from a fantastically referred, well set-up breeder, and both friends ended up with dogs that had genetic problems (likely from the sire). Sometimes it just happens, even when care is taken against it. When you're talking genetics, there is always an element of chance.

Good grief. I didn't want to get into a discussion of genetics. I just wanted to point out that ya' gotta be careful. So be careful, y'all. Don't get "suckered."

And blessings.

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