Um, I think this thread has been hijacked! CKC's are so popular -- doesn't anybody else have a breeder recommendation that doesn't involve a trip to Ohio??? Thank you for the link to Petfinder. We have had two rescues, including a former puppy mill bitch, who was a challenge. I am reluctant to go through a rescue organization that I don't know anything about when trying a new breed, however. Appreciate any other tips, especially for reputable breeders!

Anonymous wrote:Plain and simple, it is my understanding that as far as the Amish are concerned, puppies are a cash crop. No different than corn I guess. There are several documentaries about this subject.

Yes, they do not fall in love with animals, like many farmers. They are the same with horses. We stayed at a Mennonite farm years ago and the owner did not want the kids playing with the cats too much (no rabies shots) and the NEVER came in the house. They bred chocolate labs and tried to get us to buy one.

What I don't understand is why the animal cruelty shows like to focus in on AAs mistreating animals, but never the Amish.

BTW, I am a centrist. I see animal cruelty as unnecessary but will not go out of my way to save an animal. Also, I understand why in some societies animals are no more than a commodity. People who go out of their way to torture animals or who are extremely neglectful are dangerous to humans too.

Plain and simple, it is my understanding that as far as the Amish are concerned, puppies are a cash crop. No different than corn I guess. There are several documentaries about this subject.

There are good and bad people in every religion/culture/ethnicity etc...., PP. Its human nature.

I too have wondered in regard to puppy mills specifically though, "why the Amish?" Indeed it dosnt seem to fit the "stereoype" but I have never really looked in to the reasons. I just know it is a well known fact in dog rescue circles because I always get our dogs from these orgabnizations (rescue) and have learned about their work over the years. Puppy Mills are awful, horrendous places, the dog world equivalent of brothels that "buy" young girls. For some reason, some of the Amish do not see this behavior as criminal or wrong. I'd be willing to bet lots of Puppy Mill owners in southern states (I am from Georgia orginally) consider themselves "Christian." Some people do not extend the grace of God to animals. Really sad.

I'm from Southern Maryland where the Amish/Mennonites run a "farmer's" market down there. I say "farmer's" because people are attracted to idea of back to land, wholesomeness of the Amish like you mentioned pp. Yeah, it's a farmer's market, alright--do you see a lot of banana trees on the east coast? Anyway, they often have domestic pets for sale in cages there and you ahve never seen more lethargic puppies and kittens. I'm fairly confident that they kill the ones that don't sell. Breeding is a cheap investment, which is why puppy mills are in poor states. It requires little work and gets a big return. Against my advice my sister got a dog from a puppy mill and it dropped dead before it was a year old. If you get a dog from a puppy mill you are setting yourself up for big vet bills.

Anonymous wrote:Please be VERY CAREFUL buying pets from Amish breeders. They are well known in rescue circles for running "Puppy Mills" in which the mother dogs are kept in deplorable conditions and do nothing but carry litter after litter with no affection, exercise, proper health care, or interactio with people.

The 4th dog down in petfinder was rescued from a puppy mill in Lancaster, PA - yes, Amish country.
I thought the amish were good people, WTF is their issue with running puppy mills?

PP with the cavalier from Ohio. The breeder isn't Amish - they are a family with a lot of land, and the dogs live with them and their kids until they are taken home. My dog went on a camping trip with the fam. Also, he was house trained VERY quickly. He's not the smartest dog, but he's smart enough. We are very pleased with him, and the breeders were lovely.

CKC are not the smartest and take a long time to house train.

Please be VERY CAREFUL buying pets from Amish breeders. They are well known in rescue circles for running "Puppy Mills" in which the mother dogs are kept in deplorable conditions and do nothing but carry litter after litter with no affection, exercise, proper health care, or interactio with people.

Anonymous wrote:We got our sweet boy from stolzfus pets, in ohio. We made the drive (about 9 hours) to get him, and it was really fun because the breeder lives in the Amish part of Ohio, so we built in a little tourism with getting our pup. He is the sweetest dog ever. A great breed. Not the smartest, not the most energetic, but lovely temperament. Great with kids, and really everyone.

I think the website for the breeder is stolzfuspets.com, but do a search and you will find it. Good luck.

Ha! My neighbor had one (SO CUTE!) and we'd sometimes walk her around the block. Almost always, about 3/4 of the way around, she would drop, flat on the ground, legs splayed in every direction. She was done. No more walking for her!

We got our sweet boy from stolzfus pets, in ohio. We made the drive (about 9 hours) to get him, and it was really fun because the breeder lives in the Amish part of Ohio, so we built in a little tourism with getting our pup. He is the sweetest dog ever. A great breed. Not the smartest, not the most energetic, but lovely temperament. Great with kids, and really everyone.

I think the website for the breeder is stolzfuspets.com, but do a search and you will find it. Good luck.

I second petfinder

PP here. This is what's available at Pet Finder:
http://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?animal_type=Dog&pet_breed=cavalier&location=&distance=0

We got our CKC mix from a nearby rescue. Shelters are full of purebred dogs. You need to scan sites like Pet Harbor regularly if you are looking for something specific.

If so, can you recommend a rescue league or breeder? My children are begging for this breed. TIA