[Ihave4Chihuahuas]

My wife and I visited a breeder today, looking for another Chihuahua pup.

The breeder's web site indicated their puppies are well-socialized and receive their love and commitment from the day they are born. Also, the breeder's web site states their adult dogs are kept in the absolute best of health and looked after daily as well.
Also, they say their puppies are handled, played with, and
socialized with other dogs every day.

Now here is what we saw when we visited today. They had about 60 or 70 dogs, all were small breeds like Chi's, Min-Pins, Jack Russell, and others that size. They are housed outdoors, with a cover above and grate type floors. Water was available. Most dogs were housed in areas about six feet long and two feet wide, and never get out to run or exercise. About three to five dogs were in each cage. The mothers with pups were in separate housings, and a light bulb available to provide heat. Droppings were about what could be expected for no more than a days worth. I only saw one animal that had something in their eye, none were coughing and I didn't see any with diarrhea.
I would classify the kennels as crude.

I can't imagine a Chihuahua staying outdoors in the cold with temps at night in the uppper twenties to 30 and 40 deg F.

I would classify this as livestock animal conditions, not an environment that I would expect to see for breeders of pets.

Is this typical, or even acceptable conditions?

[nattiej1976]

Typical.....Yes for mills. Acceptable.......IMO No! I would steer clear of any of the dogs bought from this place, the dogs may be fed and watered daily, maybe even cages kept clean, but one would doubt the likely hood of animals checked reguarly for health issues, particuarly heriditary ones. After all you think about how much it costs to check one animal over, do you really think this lot would put the effort into regular checks for 60 or 70 animals?

It really does sound like you visited a typical mill. Having dozens of diffrent breeds is only one of the first indicators of a money hungry, dog mass production line

Given that you have location details, is it worth mentioning it to your local RSPCA (or SPCA isnt that you have over there?) Just to be sure that they are aware of them and the conditions. Probably not alot they will do, but at least you have then done what you can by atleast reporting what you have seen.

[suebgone]

absolutely, it was a small mill. can you imagine five or six HUNDRED dogs living like that?

things vary a great deal from state to state. I would be glad to see what the cruelty laws are in your state if you like, or you can try to track down tomorrow who exactly enforces your cruelty laws. it may be the SPCA or AC or nobody! you can call them to find out & I would not wait to report it

somes states have no statutes pertaining to animal cruelty, some have no provision for vet care or shelter. there may or may not be kennel licensing requirements.

please let us know what you find out.