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Would I be shunned by respectable breeders if they knew2007-11-25 2:57:01

My first dog, purchased in January, was from a petstore, IE from a puppy-mill. I hadn't known, and admit entirely to my ignorance. I plan on going to my first show in June, and making necessary connections into the show world through that. I one day hope to show papillons, but I wonder if I've screwed myself.

What do you think, can past mistakes be overlooked, or should they simply be ommitted? I beleive honesty is the best policy, but I beleive that most people judge too quickly.

Might this be a hinderence when I am ready to adopt a retired show-dog? When they do a background check and all I'm sure they will find out.

Answers:

I don't think so. Make sure your mill dog is spayed or neutered. If anyone asks, be honest. I know breeders that also rescue. Especially the mill dogs. Tell people you learned your lesson.

Learn all about Papillions. Talk to the breeders. It's going to be a matter of trust before you get one anyway.

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They will not judge you for purchasing a pet shop dog, unless you decided to breed him/her (Continuing bad lineage). Then they could get upset.

Nothing that will hold you back from being able to adopt a retired show dog, as far as I'm concerned. People make mistakes, and as hard as we try, not everyone is educated about where the puppies in the pet shops, come from.

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I do not think you have screwed yourself. I think most breeders know that the general public unfamiliar with pet store/puppy mill practices. I would just simply explain when they ask where your dog came from that you purchased it at a pet store and didn't know at the time how the stores were supplied with their pups. Now that you are a well informed/responsible owner you would never dream of doing that again.