from what I gathered - yeah it's like SarX said - that they pick unhealthy runt dogs and breed to appease folks who wouldn't take on the responsibilities of a dog otherwise - that they are small and hassle free and "precious" - and that they don't know how these dogs are abused and exploited...


:( :(

apparently this practice is well beyond just this place is south florida :( :( :( :( :(

I don't know what depresses me more - that there are people out there that can be so callous about the puppies that pass through their stores, or that I'm no longer surprised :(

I even saw one website where they were bragging that "If there's a mix you would like and we don't have it, we'll breed it for you". That begs 2 questions straight up.

1. How many pups in an average litter?

2. What happens to the pups you don't take if no-one else wants them? :crying:

:o Dogs aren't pizzas here! That's seriously the first thing that came to mind... Pizza shops htat offer to make you a custom pizza and if you buy only one piece, the rest goes to other customers... Bleh.

The "oodle" fad is becoming just as sickening, in the money-making sense.... If you want a mixed breed, go to a shelter, there's tons of very unique dogs there that nobody else would have.

It's disgusting that celebrities are perpetuating the fad too...with their teacup chihuahuas, and puggles etc. dressed in skirts and living ¾ of their life in a handbag. Equally as disgusting is the general public's cravings to emulate celebrities.

Oh and... small dogs are notoriously hard to housebreak. Thought I'd throw that in.

Teacups are often bought as an accessory -- and treated like one. It's sad.

Yes, SF, downsizing of certain breeds is becoming all the rage, with these so-called "designer" breeds cropping up all over the place. People are willing to spend THOUSANDS on one of these pups, and most of them are crossbreeds. For example, the Australian Shepherd is a medium size dog, one bred to work livestock. Therefore, the typical Aussie is NOT a couch potato, nor one well suited to apartment life (unless the owner takes them running every day, then maybe). But people see the beautiful coat/markings of this breed, don't want or need the excess energy, so they cross them with Chihuahuas, Papillions, etc. to get the size down quick! Designer dogs are just a ploy to rake in gobs of cash from buyers who are either ignorant of the possible problems, or they simply don't care.

I'm gonna quit now, before I get reallllly upset and say something that gets me a warning. :angry soapbox:

--Studdog

that reminds me of a case i saw on the People's Court about this "teacup" Yorkshire Terrier. The dogs name, of course, was Prada and was being toted around in a Juicy Couture bag in the courtroom while the plaintiffs, decked out in Chanel sued a 13 year old girl for dropping the dog 2 feet which almost caused it to die.

ew, ew ew ew.

Yuck... Personally, I'd never want to own such a fragile dog.... I enjoy an occaisional good session of rough housing, and tug-o-war, and obstacle running (like agility) with my dogs... but those things would most likely put a Teacup half in the grave.

Offtopic, there's so many small dogs popping up in those people's court shows... I've seen a few where people are suing because pups had to be put down to horrible deformities or health problems... or the pup just died all on it's own -- sometimes on the way home from the household they were sold from.

you would think that there would be laws on the books somewhere :angry:


but with the current obsessions on shape and form like runway models - and the shocking mentality of people equating tragic circumstances like premmies as "precious" - I am not surprised - saddened - but not surprised :(

There are a few, but they're not widespread or tough enough for my liking <_< (liability limited to purchase price of pup etc). I'd like to see them introduce some of these here in Australia.

Just do a search for puppy lemon laws - here's a good summary I found.

http://www.malteseonly.com/lemon.html

It can also take forever to pursue through the courts :rolleyes: and most require you to return the dog (usually resulting in it's death - the stores aren't interested in ongoing vet bills :angry: )