If you’ve been thinking about bringing a Doodle into your family, know that they are such a joy to have around! And as you probably know by now, Doodles are highly sought out and sold for designer prices. Unfortunately, this demand comes with the risk of some very dishonest people (Doodle scammers) out there looking to outright steal your money.
Table of Contents
- Doodle Puppy Mills – Red Flags to Watch Out For
- How to Know Who to Trust
- How to Get Your Money Back if Scammed
Check HERE for reported Doodle scammers and puppy mills, and the comments section at the bottom of this page.
(Have you fallen victim to a Doodle scammer or puppy mill? Report them here.)
Luckily, there are some red flags you can look out for and things you can do to make sure you’re buying from a responsible and reputable breeder. This article aims to educate future Doodle buyers on how to know who can be trusted versus who’s trying to cheat you out of your money. This includes understanding what puppy mills are and how to avoid those. We also touch on what you can do get your money back if you were scammed.
Doodle Scammers – Red Flags to Watch Out For
Not everyone who says they have puppies available is telling the truth. Here are some red flags to watch out for when you’re talking to someone who says they have the Doodle puppy you’re looking for. The more of the following boxes you tick, the more likely this person is not a real or reputable breeder.
- They don’t have active social media accounts
- They don’t have a website
- They don’t have a business email address
- They don’t give you a phone number
- They don’t answer all your questions
- They don’t reply to your messages, calls, emails, etc. within a reasonable time frame
- They don’t provide a list of prior customers or references whom you can contact to talk to yourself
- They may not speak very good English (in native English-speaking countries)
- Their personal social media profile pictures, names, etc. might not show consistent information
- They want you to meet them somewhere else instead of on-site
- They might use fake or made-up terms like “home trained” (what is that?)
- They offer to send the puppy home with you before the puppy is 8 weeks old
- They have puppies available “right now” so you don’t have to get on a waitlist (not always a red flag)
- They have AKC papers for the puppy (Doodles can’t be AKC registered – but the parent pups can be. Be sure to ask for clarification.)
- They ask for money without having talked or met with you
- They cannot provide identifiable photo/video evidence of the puppy. This is a great way to help rule out scammers: ask for a picture of them holding the puppy with a paper that has the date and your name written on it. Usually you won’t hear back from them after that.
In short, check people out. Do research on the person – check out their Facebook, Instagram, etc. and Google their name and see what comes up. And the more of the above boxes someone ticks, run away fast. You can also join this Facebook Group to view names and photos of alleged Doodle scammers preying on Facebook. There is also this website that provides a list of known Doodle scammers’ websites.
The bottom line is: NEVER send money until you have met with the breeder, seen their facility, and picked out the dog you are going to get.
Doodle Puppy Mills – Red Flags to Watch Out For
“Hey everyone!!! So I’m kinda doing a PSA. I got my [AussieDoodle] from a place that I thought was very responsible and an amazing breeder. I found out after I got her that they are a puppy mill. My puppy has a chronic cough that she has had since I got her (she will be 2 in December) and she gets recurring coccidia – vets don’t know why or what’s causing the cough (she has been treated for kennel cough 10+ times, among many other things.) Come to find out they are listed on the Humane Society’s “Horrible Hundred.” They are also being sued by previous workers for a ton of things. Please check your breeder and make sure they aren’t listed here before you buy! I’m stuck with my girl because I fell head over heels the moment I saw her. She’s mine and I’ll do what I must to keep her healthy, but If I had known I wouldn’t have gone through them. So please – thoroughly vet your breeders!”
A puppy mill is essentially a business that seeks to maximize profit by producing the highest number of puppies at the lowest possible cost. Oftentimes they keep their pup moms, dads, and litters in cruel living conditions where the psychological and/or behavioral needs of all or some of the dogs are not being consistently fulfilled due to inadequate housing, shelter, staffing, nutrition, socialization, sanitation, exercise, veterinary care and/or inappropriate breeding.
When considering purchasing from a breeder, be sure to tour their facility, either in-person or over a video call. If any of the following red flags are seen at their facility, do not support their business and find another breeder.
- The dogs are living in tiny cages or in outdoor pens.
- They are living in filth, often caged up with their own feces and waste.
- They have little or no vet care – noticeable if the dogs are clearly injured or wounded without proper treatment.
- They aren’t being groomed – noticeable if the dogs are visibly dirty, matted, and have long nails.
- The dogs aren’t being walked, played with, or interacted with.
- Pup moms are being bred non-stop.
- Puppies are immediately removed once there’s a buyer so there’s a sudden separation between pup and mom/litter.
- Puppies are transported out in stressful, crowded, filthy, and exposed conditions.
- No effort is made to find homes for adult dogs who can no longer breed.
To learn more, visit ASPCA’s More Puppies More Profits page.
A Word on Amish and Mennonite Breeders
“Someone posted not to buy a Doodle from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, and Illinois (USA). If this is the case, then where should someone from those states get a Doodle pup? I feel like I want to personally meet the pup before I commit.”
This person asked this question because of the concern of irresponsible Amish and Mennonite breeders. In case you aren’t familiar, these folks commonly live in and around the listed states and are notorious for running puppy mill operations.
“We got ours from a Mennonite breeder also that turned out to be a puppy mill…they kept puppies in cow runs not letting them out so they went potty in their living areas…we have yet to win the constant giardia battle…they are now shut down and hopefully out of business for good!”
This is not to say that all Amish and Mennonite breeders are running puppy mills – just that they are known for doing so. Moreover, not all breeders in these states are Amish, Mennonite, or irresponsible.
Regardless of who it is, NEVER send money until you have met with the breeder, seen their facility, and picked out the dog you are going to get. We can’t stress this enough.
Also: Pet Stores
Be wary of pet stores that sell puppies. Oftentimes, pet stores will purchase puppies for cheap from puppy mills and resell them for a higher price. Though, the issue is not that the puppies are more expensive. Rather, it’s that customers are (usually unknowingly) supporting the continued operation of puppy mills.
Moreover, since the puppies typically come from puppy mills, there is a high chance that a pet store customer will have to deal with a lifetime of health issues in their dog.
How to Know Who to Trust
Don’t leave here feeling discouraged. There are plenty of responsible breeders to choose from. To learn how to choose a responsible Doodle breeder, check out this article.
See Also:
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Moreover, here are some things to look for that indicate a real and reputable breeder:
- They have a social media outlet that they update regularly.
- They can provide identifiable photo/video evidence of the puppy. Ask them to video call you with the dogs to see their living conditions, or at the very least to send you a picture of them holding the puppy, with a paper that has the date and your name written on it.
- They provide you with references or past customers and encourage you to contact them directly.
- The parent dogs are genetically tested through Wisdom, as well as DNA tested.
- The pups are thoroughly examined and given a health certificate by an accredited veterinarian.
- They have a waiting list that is full.
- They are willing to give you their vet’s name and contact info. You can call their vet directly and ask about previous litters.
- Ask for pictures of parents and do a reverse photo search on the internet.
There is a lot that Doodle scammers can’t fake, so do your due diligence.
Again for those in the back: regardless of who it is, NEVER send money until you have met with the breeder, seen their facility, and picked out the dog you are going to get.
Finally, it’s important to build a relationship with the breeder. Everyone wants the cheapest pup they can find RIGHT NOW when instead, we need to take the time and get on a wait list with a breeder that is responsible and trustworthy. You don’t get that instant gratification, but it’s a great way to follow your pup’s journey as well as create a bond with the breeder for life.
How to Get Your Money Back if Scammed
You may be able to get your money back if you used Google Pay, Apple Pay, or PayPal to send money. Contact customer service immediately. You can also dispute it with your bank, and they will usually work with you.
Have you fallen victim to a Doodle scammer or puppy mill? Tell us about it in the comments below.
This was interesting, but I need a list of AKC breeders of mini Golden Doodles and Cockapoos. I’m trying to check up on Crockettdoodles in S Carolina and Florida. I’ve seen great variation in their reviews. Can you please help me find out if they are a reputable breeder or a puppy mill?
July 27, 2020 at 5:38 amThanks for your comment. Just to clarify, Goldendoodles or Cockapoos are not recognized by the AKC since they are mixed breeds. However, there are many breeders who breed AKC parents to produce Doodles. I don’t have a list on hand so it will take some research on your part. As for Crockett Doodles – you’re right, the reviews vary greatly. I once read other people discussing online that they are puppy brokers, which means they simply connect buyer to breeder and take a cut of the sale. This means that they have a network of breeders who they send buyers to…and who knows if any or all of those breeders are reputable or responsible? Without visiting each breeder’s facility, one cannot say for sure. However, brokers are notorious for re-selling puppy mill dogs, so keep that in mind. My opinion? When in doubt, choose another breeder.
July 27, 2020 at 9:45 am