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Finding a dog
Mill red flags, breeder green flags, and how to verify a claim yourself.
01Adoption first · 1 point›
Shelters and breed-specific rescues (see the rescue finder on every match) are full of wonderful dogs, including purebreds and the exact crosses people pay thousands for.
02Red flags of a mill or broker · 1 point›
路 Will ship a puppy sight-unseen or meet you in a parking lot
路 Always has multiple breeds/litters available, any time
路 Won't show you the mother or the whelping environment
路 No health testing on parents, no health guarantee, no questions for YOU
路 Pet-store puppies overwhelmingly come from commercial mills, despite signage
路 Always has multiple breeds/litters available, any time
路 Won't show you the mother or the whelping environment
路 No health testing on parents, no health guarantee, no questions for YOU
路 Pet-store puppies overwhelmingly come from commercial mills, despite signage
03Green flags of a good breeder · 1 point›
路 Health-tests both parents (OFA/DNA appropriate to the breed - see the research hub)
路 Asks you as many questions as you ask them; has a waitlist
路 Shows you mom and where pups are raised; socializes in-home
路 Provides a contract and takes the dog back at ANY point in its life - the hallmark
路 Is involved with the breed's parent club (findable via the research hub)
路 Asks you as many questions as you ask them; has a waitlist
路 Shows you mom and where pups are raised; socializes in-home
路 Provides a contract and takes the dog back at ANY point in its life - the hallmark
路 Is involved with the breed's parent club (findable via the research hub)
04Ties to · 1 point›
The rescue finder and the research hub's parent-club doors are the tools for both paths.
05Doors · 12 points›
Name: Adopt: Petfinder
Why: Search adoptable dogs - purebreds and crosses included
Link: https://www.petfinder.com/search/dogs-for-adoption/
Name: AKC Marketplace (health-tested litters)
Why: If buying, filter for health-tested parents; cross-check against the green flags
Link: https://marketplace.akc.org
Name: Look up parent-breed health testing (OFA)
Why: Verify a breeder's health-testing claims yourself
Link: https://ofa.org
Name: Report a suspected puppy mill
Why: Humane Society reporting
Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=report+puppy+mill+humane+society
06Gear · 5 points›
Note: Almost none of this is a purchase. One thing is worth it.
Name: Embark DNA test
Why: For a rescue of unknown background, it settles breed mix and screens for conditions worth knowing about.
Free first: Every green flag and red flag in this section is free to check. The verification IS the work.
What to skip: Anything sold by a breeder as a mandatory add-on. Registration papers are not health testing.
Rosette Dog is educational and is not veterinary advice. In an emergency, contact your veterinarian or the nearest emergency animal hospital.
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