Puppy Profits: Purebred pedigrees can boost profits
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Sam Cowles, a driver for Pet Stop Transport, waits with puppies he brought to Tulsa
International Airport for shipment throughout the United States.
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By OMER GILLHAM World Staff Writer
10/22/2007
Last Modified: 10/22/2007 1:04 PM
Related story: Web purchase turns costly
Search an inspection database of licensed breeders and brokers, view videos and a slide show and read previous stories in the series.
Breeding purebred animals
for a nationwide market is big
business in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma has a bustling business industry
that places it among a handful of states
supplying the nation with purebred
puppies.
While there are scant economic figures
on the size of the industry, the profit margin is
clear at the kennel level: One purebred puppy
such as a Yorkshire terrier can bring $1,000
to $1,500. A litter of Yorkies can bring up to
$6,000 for a breeder.
Puppy sales are seasonal with prices soaring
during Christmas and decreasing during the
summer months. But a litter of registered
Yorkies born in August can still bring $1,500 to
$2,500 if marketed properly, breeders said.
‘‘There is an incredible amount of money
to
be made if you do it right,’’ said Gary
Phillips, president of the Northeast Chapter of
Oklahoma Pet Professionals.
“But it takes money to do
it right. You have to have the
proper food, facilities and
affordable veterinarian care
to raise quality animals that
you can stand behind.’’
Phillips raises Cavalier
King Charles spaniels,
papillons, poodles and other
breeds at G&M Kennels
in Adair. His animals
are registered with the
American Kennel Club, the
nation’s premier pedigree
organization.
Oklahoma has 702
commercial breeders and
brokers registered with
the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, according to
information obtained by the
Freedom of Information Act.
Oklahoma breeders are
located throughout the state,
but there is a significant
concentration of kennels in
eastern and southeastern
Oklahoma.
The number of registered
breeders in Oklahoma
has doubled in the past
10 years, which coincides
with a radical change in
how Oklahoma puppies are
marketed across the nation,
industry officials said.
Internet sales are fueling
the industry, but there are
regular dog auctions and dog
sales that contribute.
Oklahoma breeders are
providing expensive pedigree
dogs to markets from New
York to California. In addition
to Yorkies, popular breeds
include Maltese, shih tzus,
teacup Chihuahuas, English
bulldogs, French bulldogs,
Cavalier King Charles
spaniels and Rottweilers,
to mention a few popular
breeds.
Additionally, since the
industry is Internet-driven,
some breeders are selling
directly to the public and
avoiding federal regulations
that dictate humane
treatment of animals. A few
unscrupulous breeders are
tricking consumers into
buying animals that are not
purebred.
Jaime Winchell, of Carson
City, Nev., said she paid $500
for a registered Rottweiler.
She purchased the dog from
an unlicensed breeder in
Mounds, south of Tulsa. What
she received was a ‘‘lovable’’
mutt and veterinary bills to
address a life-threatening case
of intestinal worms, she said.
‘‘I was supposed to get
a pure-bred puppy with
registered papers but I never
got the papers,’’ Winchell
said. ‘‘The breeder lied. The
dog I saw on the Internet was
not the dog I received.’’
USDA regulations
require registered breeders
to meet federal standards
of treatment and care for
commercially bred animals.
However, there are
unregistered breeders selling
puppies over the Internet,
through newspaper classified
ads and on street corners,
industry officials said.
Many of these individuals
run secretive or hidden
operations that house up to
100 dogs or more. They are
known as backyard breeders
or puppy millers.
An Oklahoma puppy
mill typically involves small
breeds kept in substandard
conditions. The small dogs
require less space and
resources while producing
puppies that bring thousands
of dollars in profit.
In the worst cases,
cramped conditions and
inbreeding can create
diseases, weakened immune
systems and animal defects.
‘‘Some breeders sell sick
or defective dogs and I have
weeded them out,’’ said
Deborah Byrd, who sells
puppies for 75 breeders in
eastern Oklahoma. ‘‘It is very
unethical to do this. It is my
reputation on the line when I
sell for a breeder.’’
Meanwhile, the
proliferation of breeders and
Internet sales appear to have
crowded out pet stores in the
Tulsa area. There are few
pet stores and even fewer
offering puppies for sale.
Phillips, 53, said he
switched from selling
cattle to selling puppies
professionally about six years
ago. With 100 breeding dogs,
Phillips’ operation would
be considered a medium size
kennel by Oklahoma
standards.
The size of a breeding
kennel in Oklahoma varies
from 30 dogs for a smaller
operation to more than 600
dogs for a large kennel.
While Oklahoma is the
second-largest dog-breeding
state in the nation, there are
no economic impact figures
available from the state
Department of Commerce or
Department of Agriculture.
The American Pet Product
Manufacturers Association
estimates the public and
industry will spend $1 billion
buying dogs in 2007, said
Bob Vetere, president of the
association.
In 2006, three out of 10
dogs were obtained from
breeders, he said.
‘‘Most breeders are
conscientious, but it only
takes a few bad ones to give a
poor image to the industry,’’
Vetere said.
Vetere said the demand
for puppies is expected to continue. An association
survey of 580 people shows
that 63 percent of those
surveyed own at least one dog.
Pet transporter Tracy
Wiedemann said Oklahoma
is the market sought by
consumers wanting an
affordable, purebred dog.
‘‘I talk to people all over
the country and I asked
why they buy dogs over the
Internet,’’ Wiedemann said.
‘‘They say because it is hard
to find puppies and the prices
are better here.’’
Wiedemann, of Stigler,
owns Pet Stop Transport,
which she began in
November 2005. She hauls
puppies to the airport for
Oklahoma breeders selling
animals to individuals in
other states.
The animals are flown
out of Tulsa International
Airport, which breeders
say is a major shipping hub
for puppies from Missouri,
Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Wiedemann said she
tried her hand at commercial
breeding but decided to get
out of the business.
‘‘Breeding dogs is hard
work and the work seems
never-ending,’’ Wiedemann
said. ‘‘You can cross the line very easily into neglecting
the animals if you are not
careful. I made a decision to
get out of the business.’’
‘‘I think this is how puppy
mills happen,’’ she said. ‘‘I
don’t think people start out
to neglect the animals, but it
becomes too much for them
and they cross the line.’’
As a pet transporter,
Wiedemann is licensed by
the USDA. She also had to
undergo a background check
to haul animals to the airport
cargo area.
Wiedemann transports
puppies for 40 breeders
in the eastern Oklahoma
counties of LeFlore,
Sequoyah and Haskell.
Her late-model van can
haul 36 animals at a time. On
delivery days, Wiedemann
leaves home at 1 a.m. to
arrive at Tulsa airport at 4
a.m. to check in the animals.
‘‘The USDA and the TSA
(Transportation Security
Administration) are strict,’’
Wiedemann said. ‘‘The
animals must have the
approved crate, and all the
paperwork must be in exact
order or they will reject the
animals.’’
The paperwork includes
a veterinarian health check, vaccination records and food and-
water records.
During a given week,
Wiedemann said she will
transport up to 50 puppies
to the Tulsa airport to be
shipped to customers.
‘‘I have a competitor
who hauls twice that many
puppies to the airport each
week,’’ Wiedemann said.
In addition to the Tulsa
airport, breeders in southeast
Oklahoma ship thousands of
puppies through the Dallas-
Fort Worth area. Southeast
Oklahoma is the state’s
most concentrated area of
commercial breeders.
USDA regulations require
that an animal be at least
eight weeks old before it is
taken from its mother.
The effect of an airplane
flight on an 8-week-old puppy
can be problematic even
though the plane’s shipping
compartment is climate controlled,
said Dr. Melissa
Montgomery, a veterinarian
for the Tulsa Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals.
Many fragile puppies
arrive at their destination
with diarrhea, serious
coughs or other ailments,
Montgomery said. The stress of the flight affects their
immune system, she said.
‘‘Think about it. If a plane
has a barf bag for humans,
what do you think it does to a
small animal?’’ Montgomery
said. ‘‘If a breeder is really
concerned about puppy
health, they don’t ship by
plane because of the stress it
places on the animal.’’
Wiedemann said she
won’t transport animals that
are not healthy enough for a
flight.
‘‘The puppies have to be
a certain weight and age
before we will transport
them,’’ Wiedemann said. ‘‘I
have a standard that I ask the
breeders to meet and they
know what to expect. We
don’t do business with puppy
mills.’’
In most cases, the puppies
must weigh at least two
pounds and be eight weeks
old before Wiedemann will
transport the animal for
shipment, she said.
Other shipping routes
for Oklahoma puppies
include a land route through
Goodman, Mo., just across
the Oklahoma border
in southwest Missouri.
Goodman is the home of
the Hunte Corp., a giant
clearinghouse for puppies
being shipped to pet stores
across the nation.
Hunte Corp. has a fleet of
brightly colored semi-trucks
used to haul the puppies. The
megabroker buys and sells
animals from thousands of
breeders in the surrounding
states.
In 2005, Hunte bought
and sold 88,235 animals,
according to USDA records.
The company ships an
estimated 1,500 to 2,000
puppies in an average week.
Hunte President Steve
Rook did not return
numerous calls made by the
Tulsa World.
In addition to the Internet,
thousands of puppies and
breeder dogs are sold each
year at dog auctions.
Regular dog auctions are
held across Oklahoma and
typically prohibit cameras
to keep out animal rights
activists who use such
pictures on their Web sites.
Lester and Edith Miller
own the Chouteau Auction
Co., an auction house that
features as many as 150 dogs
every two weeks.
Lester Miller said the
animals are treated in a
humane manner and that
his auction is regulated by
the USDA. As a licensed
broker, he has had no USDA
violations in the past three
years, records show.
Miller defended his
decision to prohibit cameras
at the auction.
‘‘We run a clean and
honest operation, but we
got hurt pretty badly when
a news station shot some
pictures that placed us in a
bad light (by association),’’
Miller said. ‘‘We don’t
support bad breeders, and
we don’t sell their animals at
our auction.’’
Most of the animals
auctioned in Chouteau are
the top breeds, including
Yorkies, English bulldogs,
Maltese and French
bulldogs. The animals
receive a veterinarian check
before the auction begins.
Dog breeders and brokers
attend the auctions looking
for breeding stock and good
deals on puppies. Auctions
are also a place for selling
former breeding dogs,
industry officials said.
Many breeding dogs are
depleted after five years to
seven years of continuous
breeding, showing problems
with reproductive organs
among other ailments,
Montgomery said.
A number of the dogs
have infections, bad teeth
and mammary tumors
to name a few problems,
Montgomery said.
After a life of producing
thousands of dollars in
puppies, an old breeder often
sells for $1 at auction.
‘‘There is some hope for
these animals,’’ Montgomery
said. ‘‘But it takes a loving
owner who puts in the
effort. You will really make a
difference with these animals
if you do.’’
Omer Gilham 581-8301
omer.gilham@tulsaworld.com
Curtis Killman 581-8471
curtis.killman@tulsaworld.com
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Mr. Phillips, per the following quote, you raise at least FOUR types of dogs ("Phillips raises Cavalier King Charles spaniels, papillons, poodles and other breeds at G&M Kennels in Adair.") to sell for profit. How can you call yourself an honest, non-puppy mill breeder? IMO, and I'm sure many others will agree, how can you EFFECTIVELY support each breed, test each breeding pair, not keep the dogs and puppies in deporable conditions and show the dam/sire on the dog show circuit to KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the puppies you are selling MEET or exceed each AKC standard guideline for the breed? Do you only breed each female once a year or even once every other year? I don't mean to be overly critical, but when the President of the Southeast Chapter of Oklahoma Pet Professionals has 23 USDA violations, it seems to me that your particular stance on the issue on the whole is hypocritical....when one of your own can't even abide by the rules. Ms. Ratliff, for those that don't know already, is NUMBER 6 on the USDA list of top dog breeder violators in the UNITED STATES! She holds the same title as the illustrious Mr. Phillips. Does that sound like a responsible breeder? I think not! One of my two dogs is a rescue from ARF, the other is an extremely well bred example of his breed that I purchased from a breeder that I met at a breed specific dog show here in OK. I went to multiple shows and talked to many breeders before deciding on my particular dog. I paid $500 for him...much cheaper than the same breed of dog at the local pet store...and he's ten times the dog, with championship bloodlines, both his dam and sire are multi show winners and his grandfather was featured on a breed magazine cover. Do you require all of your dogs to be spayed/neutered so that the future owners of your puppies don't taint your well thought out bloodlines? Or so that they themselves don't become "backyard breeders"? I sure hope so. If you are working so hard to prevent fine breeders, such as yourself, from getting a bad name, that seems to be a step in the right direction. If the TW wants to write a story on RESPONSIBLE breeders, I suggest you locate those that are dedicated to their breed, who show the dogs, test the parents and don't really make any money at all on the puppy sales. Those are the folks we need to be supporting, not some rural organization who features MANY types of small breed dogs...
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I am so thankful to the Tulsa World for doing this puppy mill expose' series! We simply cannot do enough to stop this breed for greed industry. The products of these puppy (& kitten) mills not only fill the pet stores, newspaper ads and internet but they fill the shelters with dogs bought on impulse that are not the right breed to fit the family's lifestyle or that are so sickly the owner is tired of paying vet bills. Without the demand these breeders will have to slow down the production of these pets and hopefully that will lead to MAJOR changes in the lives of what would be breeder dogs. My thanks to the reporters, photographers, investigators and writers for this series, it is much needed!
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I would have been happier with this article had it given readers information on how to find reputable breeders. Most AKC recognized purebred dogs have national breed clubs. Tulsa has a very well respected all breed dog club, The Mid-Continent Kennel Club. They offer breeder referrals. Our area also is home to dog shows, another excellent place to find reputable breeders.
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Amy, Tulsa (10/22/2007 10:56:30 AM)
This is a sick and twisted way to make money, on the backs & bellies of defenseless animals. The greediness of people too stupid to get a real job is unstoppable, we need to regulate this industry and stop destroying thousands of animals each year in Tulsa.
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VT, Stigler (10/22/2007 11:45:16 AM)
I was very pleased with the article. So many people give "breeders" bad raps simply because they breed animals. I don't see them commenting on the cattle industry, or the horse industry, or poultry industry. Most breeders raise good quality pets for homes that want them. We have children in our society treated worse than some animals. Think about it?
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Norm C, Tahlequah (10/22/2007 11:48:51 AM)
I commented on the first article. All I will add here is that I have trouble getting my head around the phrase "reputable breeder." To me, the two do not, can not, go together. Breeding in and of itself is DISreputable, done only for selfish humans, for monetary gain satisfying people who want a "cute" or "beautiful" pet accessory. The welfare of the animals is secondary at best.
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E T, Tulsa (10/22/2007 12:01:47 PM)
Why are people worring about a bunch of dogs when we have crime and decaying streets. In my 45 years of working downtown, I've never seen a dog living downtonw.
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Holly, OKC (10/22/2007 12:16:11 PM)
I wanted my own barf bag when I read this story. Your article is about something that Oklahoma should be ashamed of. It is what real breeders strive to get potential puppy buyers to stay away from. I can guarantee you most of the breeders that these people talk about are not reputable and don't give their dogs that kind of care they really need. And when I say care, I am not necessarily talking about veterinary care, although that is scant. How would you like to be locked in a cage and used for breeding for profit and not get any love or attention. That is the way it is with these type of puppy mill breeders. And if you are breeding for money, not for the sport and well being of the breed, then you are a puppy mill. I suggest that before you ever do another story on dog breeding you talk to some breeders that put their money, heart and soul into their specific breed. Then you will have a story. People who exhibit their dogs DO NOT make money.It cost thousands of dollars to "finish" a dog. Not to mention the hundreds of thousands spent to "special" a dog to top dog in their breed. The people who buy dogs from hobby breeders are much more satisfied with the puppies they get. You get a more socialized puppy. One that is more well rounded in day to day life. Not to mention the time and money spent picking the right sire. Matching pedigrees and genetics to produce the most healthy, best tempered dogs they can. Not to mention structure which helps them to do the jobs they were intended to do. AND, most of us don't ship. If you want one of my puppies, you come to my house, meet my gang and see your puppy. You wouldn't get just any puppy either. You would get one that I have watched and matched with your application to make sure it fits your family and lifestyle. And, you must spay/nueter the dog you get from me usless agreed by me that you will show the dog. Even then I have to approve all breedings, or the dogs won't be registered. I have turned down potential owners. I have 5 Champions that I have finished in the last 7 years. No dog of mine will be bred until they are a Champion. This is followed by our National Club Code of Ethics for breeding. If all these breeders that you have stated in your column would follow their Breed Club code of Ethics, then we most likely wouldn't have the over population of dogs these people create. Females would only be bred once a year and maybe have only 4 litters over their liftime. Not bred everytime they go in season and have multiple litters and bred until they can breed no more as stated in you article. That is where auctions come into play. Also puppies wouldn't be an impulse buy. People would be on a waiting list for a dog and then they would have time to think if this is really the right breed or if they are really commited for this dog's life. So many owners purchase dogs and then decide that they don't want them. Or the dog just wasn't what they thought it to be. A hobby breeder will take the dog back and rehome it. These breeders in your article would probably never do that. Heck, they have no idea who purchased their dogs! We have hundreds of our breed end up in rescue each year. We have webpages full. Ninety percent come from these type of breeders in your article. Then the hobby breeders who support the rescues pay for vet care,the cost of housing and rehoming the dogs. I can promise if you took a poll among the people in the article, they have most likely never given a dime of the money they "MAKE" off the litters to a breed rescue. The very thing they create. In two weeks, there is an all breed show at the convention center in Tulsa. I suggest that you go there, interview those people and take pictures of dogs that are champions of their breed. Not show them a puppy that is trying to chew his way out of a crate.
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Malissa, Eufaula (10/22/2007 12:48:10 PM)
I agree with Holly! This article makes me sick! Is sounds like we sould be proud of all the puppymills we have here and yes that's what they are anyone who is breeding to make a profit, not improving the breed , selling to anyone with the money, selling with full breeding rights so more puppymills can start, shipping their puppies out of state to God knows who is a puppymill! And these people who are brokers they don't care either they are making a living off these poor animals.
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Jeff, (10/22/2007 12:59:26 PM)
Save a dog from the local Chinese Restaurant. ADOPT PEOPLE. Do not buy from the losers on 71st st, go to Petsmart or call up your local vet. They have many waiting to go to good homes or can get you in contact with someone who does and is a legit adoption place.
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Mattie, Stillwater (10/22/2007 1:50:07 PM)
Does anyone know of a place where people can complain or leave comments about breeders in Oklahoma?
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I agree - this isn't something Oklahoma should be proud of! It's absolutely ridiculous. When did shipping 2lb puppies all over the world become common place? I think it’s horrible. Anyone who truly cares about obtaining a wonderful new addition to their family should gladly travel the distance to pick him/her up. I'm horrified to know that people are allowed to have 600 dogs to breed - even 100 is astonishing. I'm hoping we can make some strides in preventing these sorts of things from happening soon.
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Laramie, Verdegris, OK (10/22/2007 3:11:23 PM)
This is why I am on the verge of divorce everyday. I work with a local rescue group. People like this keep us on the phone day and night. This is why our new vehicles have 50K plus miles on them. Puppymill owners should have to die a horrible death. All dogs should be spayed or neutered until the shelters are completely empty of unwanted pets. Adopt from a local rescue group, DO NOT BUY PUPPIES FROM BREEDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Adopting dogs saves lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Laura , Tulsa (10/22/2007 3:13:00 PM)
If you are interested in adopting a dog, please go to your local Petsmart on Saturdays! There are lots of Tulsa area rescue groups there with numerous pets that need good loving homes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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This is a concentrated effort by the Humane Society of the United States, these people are not your local animal shelter. Pennslyvania house bill 445, driven by HSUS, would even put Holly, OKC out of business. One of the points in HB 445 would make it illegal for a licensed kennel to buy an animal from an individual that was not a licensed kennel. It also severly restricted intra-state purchases of animals, IE making virtually impossible to buy a dog from a litter, from out of state, even if the parents were multiple champions and could improve the breed. The ultimale goal is to take all rights away that have to do with owning animals as pets.
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KAT, TULSA (10/22/2007 3:17:23 PM)
It is so funny when you try to go buy a dog that you want or that your kids want and someone is selling it for $500 and up, it is a rip off and shame on the people that charge that much for a dog, I know breeders do suffer some expense but not $5,000 a liiter of expenses. I would rather go and get a rescue dog and pay them the $500 rather than give it to some one who is just greedy.
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