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Puppy Broker: A middle man who buys puppies from a puppy mill (example video) usually in a large quantity instead of breeding dogs themselves. The brokers will then sell their stock of puppies to either pet stores or through newspaper ads where the puppies will be sold at a house masquerading as a loving home both of which will not have any adult dogs present as these adult dogs will remain hidden at the puppy mills as the years of neglect and abuse would be quite apparent.

Puppy brokers, also known as puppy mill representatives, know all to well how to market themselves to potential buyers and will prey upon an individual’s lack of knowledge.

Currently there are no laws stating that pet stores must disclose to their buyers of where their puppies actually have come from. So pet stores (and brokers) can then say that their puppies are coming from quality dogs from reputable breeders or say whatever they think the buyer will want to hear to make a sale. They will pass themselves off as individuals who care about the dogs and will insist on protecting their breeders privacy; therefore they will not disclose any breeder or kennel information.

A person selling an entire litter "for a friend" or who does not have the female (dam) dog present likely did not actually breed themselves & the litter likely came from a puppy mill. A reputable, responsible breeder would never breed and sell in large quantities and would NEVER sell their puppies to a pet store.

How to Identify a Puppy Broker. There are two factors which allow a puppy broker to do business: your lack of knowledge and your impatience to have a dog of a certain breed. If you want a quality, healthy dog, do not allow these things to be used against you. Educate yourself and be patient.

What to Look For: Puppy brokers and pet stores always have dogs available. They will usually "just happen" to know of a great litter from a "responsible breeder" ready for their new homes. Breeding is not an overnight process. Quality, responsible breeders have waiting lists for their dogs and their puppies are often sold prior to their actual birth.

• Always meet the adult female (dam) of a litter and always pick the puppy up from where the dogs and puppies are housed/kenneled. When you pick up your puppy insist on viewing the breeder's facilities of where the dogs and puppies live, a quality, responsible breeder will be proud to show their facilities to a potential buyer. Please remember if a seller will not allow you to view their breeding facilities, of where their dogs live, be very suspicious. If they hesitate to allow you to meet the dam, they either have not bred the dogs themselves or the dam is not who they claim. The adult male (sire) of the litter is commonly not on property, but you always have the right to contact the sire’s owners.
  
  Be warned: brokers will go out of their way to cover the fact that they themselves are not the actual breeders of a litter and will say anything to prevent the puppy mill truth from surfacing.
  
  Not only will brokers sell through pet stores or newspaper ads but they will also sell through beautifully disguised web sites littered with puppy photos or photos of adult champions; unfortunately photos found on a web site may not be their photos to use as images can easily be copied from a responsible breeders website & then posted on their site or printed off to show to potential buyers. Remember brokers will say & do anything to make a sale, so please do your research.
  
  
• Check references. Breeders should be able to produce a list of references from either breed, sport or show clubs, previous purchasers and at least from one vet. Contact all references!
  
  
• Before You Buy: Please do not support this growing industry of puppy mills and their brokers/re-sellers. There are many ways to determine if you are purchasing from someone who is wanting to make a quick profit. Make it your goal to become educated and take responsibility before acquiring your next animal companion.