i think i may have purchased a puppy from a puppy farm!!!  not the kind where the dogs are kept in crates etc but the kind where the breeders just churn out the pups to make money,  the pup is happy and healthy but i have now chatted to some other breeders and the place we got our pup has a bad reputation, it is not always easy to tell, so to my point how do you know?????

The best way I know of, is to ask lots of questions about health checks, how many litters the Dam has had, on-going support from the breeder, can you see the Dam and possibly Sire, how long have they been in the breed etc. If they're reluctant to answer your questions or evasive then this will often show up a puppy farmer. :(

Also anyone who breeds several breeds, is always advertising pups, should be avoided, as this is often a puppy farmer too.

liberty :)

I have found that out after the fact, they did give plenty information, but we have now found out they have lots of pups all the time, they register the pups with the kennel club, can they not be limited to the number of litters they can register in a year or something??

no ristrictions :(

I have heard of people being pupppy farmers but they do health checks but always have puppies avaliable and have not checked how compatible dogs are together and temperments not been good :( 

If you can get a puppy right away then it is likly to be a puppy farmer.

Rox

Here are a few good websites that talk about reputable breeders. One is a Doberman Pinscher specific site, but the same principles apply. These go through much of what to look for and the differences. Hope it helps.

http://members.execulink.com/~korevaar/buyingguide.htm

http://www.jlhweb.net/Boxermap/reputablebreeder.html

http://www.weeno.com/art/0499/33.html

Carrie

Puppy farmers often do health checks and register their pups but they have an in between non-registered litter cos licensed breeders can only register one litter from each bitch within a twelve month period but they can be licensed for 45 bitches.
Whatever breed your pup is why not ask other breeders of her breed, they often know who these people are.

A lot of places will advertise every week in your local paper as well as have loads of breeds available ;)