My reason for providing the following information is to INFORM THE BUYER so they can become educated themselves before buying a puppy or dog in Indiana.
You can view the updated new Indiana law that takes effect on January 1, 2010 here or on the Indiana Board of Animal Health website.
If you find anything on my website that is incorrect or that you may question, please send me an email to inform me so I can verify the information and make any necessary changes.
According to Indiana State Law there are 3 types of classifications for breeders, a hobby breeder, a commercial dog breeder and a commercial dog broker.
"Hobby Breeder" means a person who maintains fewer than twenty (20) unaltered female dogs that are at least twelve (12) months of age."
"Commercial Dog Breeder" means a person who maintains more than twenty (20) unaltered female dogs that are at least twelve (12) months of age.
"Commercial Dog Broker" means a person:
(1) who is a Class "B" licensee under 9 CFR 1.1; and
(2) who sells at least five hundred (500) dogs in a calendar year.
We have only 2 female labradors that we breed so we would be considered a "Hobby Breeder" and we are not required to register with the Indiana Board of Animal Health at this time because we own only two (2) unaltered female dogs that are at least twelve (12) months of age. Our labs are registered with the American Kennel Club.
So with this information, if you are concerned about purchasing a puppy from a "supposed" puppy mill you can help yourself search for a family companion labrador by asking the breeder first which one of the above classifications they would be considered by the state. A REPUTABLE breeder in Indiana will be very educated with these new Indiana breeder laws and be upfront with you about their facilities and know exactly what type of breeder (HOBBY breeder, COMMERCIAL dog breeder or COMMERCIAL dog BROKER) they would be considered by law. You should make sure they provide this information in writing to you with your puppy sales contract or bill of sale. In addition, you should always receive a puppy sales contract or bill of sale with the breeder's contact information on it for the purchase of your new puppy.
Again, reputable breeders will be well informed.
My opinion is that if you don't feel comfortable with a breeder, don't buy from that breeder. If you know more about the breed and the state's laws than the breeder does, don't buy from that breeder. Ask to view the sire and dam of the pups as well as the facilities in which the pups are kept in and cared for. I encourage buyers to SHOP AROUND area breeders and compare the pups, the parents of the pups, the facilities and the love the breeder shows for his or her pups/dogs. The puppy you pick will be a lot like his or her sire and dam in his or her temperament, looks and health. A caring breeder will stick with you throughout your time there just in case you have questions and because they want to be sure each of their dogs and pups are handled with care.
They will also be monitoring you and your family to see if you qualify as a "good family" for their puppy. Don't be alarmed by this as this is exactly what you should want from a breeder so you know your puppy was loved and cared for before you take him/her home with you.
However, keep in mind that YOU will make the ultimate, final decision on which pup you believe will be right for you and your family, not the breeder. YOU will also be the one who is responsible for the training and veterinary care your new puppy gets once he leaves the breeder.
As always though, if for some reason you decide you don't want the pup any longer, you must first call your breeder back and you must read your contract thoroughly as you could violate the terms of your contract should you just decide to hand your dog over to someone else and not notify your breeder first. This could lead to a breeder stepping in and revoking your rights to the pup you bought from them. Transfer of Ownership forms have to be filled out and approved by the AKC before AKC registered dogs can be registered in someone else's name other than the original buyer of the pup/dog from a breeder. Remember that breeders can keep in contact with the AKC in regards to the litters they've produced and who the pups are registered to and whether they have been registered or not.
