The American Kennel Club fights to keep puppy mills open. They breed at puppy mills

[ScreamingMeemie]

28. We got our Sheltie, Jessie, from a breeder, and I have to disagree about "loving the fees."

She did not charge stud or breeding fees, preferring instead to work with a close-knit group of breeders. They would co-own dogs for breeding.

Jessie was bred for pure for sable. She was her mother's only litter as the breeder only breeds a litter ever 3 years. After extensive interviews, pictures of our backyard, etc., she basically fell in love with my husband who grew up with Shelties. She promised us Jessie (then named Jilly) if she looked like she was growing out. At the time, she thought Jessie was a bit "leggy." She sold us Jessie at 12 weeks for $500 with all of her shots and early vet care taken care of. Jessie was from a litter of 5, 2 of whom she kept. The vet bills and cost of care far outweighed the fee she charged. She bred for love of the breed. When we picked up Jessie, we signed a pet-owner spay contract and forwarded the spay records when Jessie was spayed. The contract also stated we would return Jessie to the breeder if we couldn't keep her (as if!). Jessie is now a senior citizen, and I still keep in contact with twice-yearly updates.

No not all breeders do that. Some of them do it because they love the breed. And there isn't anything wrong with that.