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58 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, September 19, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 1, 2004 Dina Wiley of Medford feeds a snack to her 1-year-old Pomeranian named Bearly. Wiley spent $5,000 on a liver operation for the dog, which she purchased at a pet store. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Puppy-purchase pitfalls Know your prospective new dog’s pedigree and state of health before you fall in love with the li’l critter By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Dina Wiley thought she purchased a $400 healthy, purebred Pomeranian from a local pet store. But one liver surgery and $5,000 later, the Medford resident feels deceived about Bearly, whom she believes turned 1 year old last week. "I call him my $5,000 mutt," she says. She’s doubtful she’ll ever get to the bottom of things. The store she bought the dog from is under new ownership and the breeder’s phone number is disconnected. Her story illustrates how dog buyers should do their homework before falling in love with a cute, fluffy face, experts say. Steve Poet, veterinarian at Best Friends Animal Hospital in Medford, says unhealthy breeding practices are a problem locally and nationwide. Buyers need to check out the dog’s background before making a commitment, he says. Advertisement "Hip problems, knee problems, eye conditions — there’s like three pages of (potential) congenital problems," says Poet, adding that responsible breeders screen for such conditions. "Some of the nicer dogs are puppy mill dogs," he says. "You see a lot of sweet puppy mill dogs but they can have a lot of problems." Mark Dunlap, the new owner of Fur-Ever Friends in the Rogue Valley Mall, where Bearly came from, says he goes out and inspects all the breeders he uses, from Northern California to Portland. "We’re not wanting to deal with puppy mills," he says. He says he doesn’t have any more information than Wiley does on Bearly’s background, but he’s very picky about breeders he’ll buy from and customers he’ll sell to. "We’ve taken over the system and kind of tightened it up," he says. He says he cares about the animals’ well-being, and has pets himself. "I love all my animals... they’re my family members." Poet says the first places he’d look for a dog are the Jackson County Animal Shelter and the Southern Oregon Humane Society. Also, Dogs for the Deaf adopts out dogs that may be good companions but didn’t graduate from its strict training program. Poet says animal shelters screen for healthy dogs. "At the county pound, (a dog) may have fleas or foxtails, (but) you usually get a dog that’s congenitally healthy," he says. Those hoping for purebred dogs should look for breeders connected with agencies such as the Southern Oregon Kennel Club, he says. "If you want a purebred dog, find out who the parents are," he says, adding that it’s important to inspect the breeder’s kennels. "Someone who wants to meet you someplace else to sell the dog, that should send up red flags," he says. Monti Craig breeds Norwich terriers and Cairn terriers in Grants Pass. "First of all, in planning your breedings, you need to know the background of both the sire and dam," she says, adding that giving the dogs proper diet and exercise are crucial, especially for the bitches. Craig says she interviews the people interested in buying a puppy. "I would prefer my puppies going to someone who’s familiar with terriers," she says, adding that it’s important people know what they’re getting into. She said in February, she learned from X-rays that one of her terriers had hip dysplasia, so she removed her from the breeding stock and found a good home for her. Barbie Owen, technician at the Jackson County Animal Shelter, says some people see breeding as a way to make money but don’t pay attention to the health or fate of the dogs. The shelter put down 88 dogs in August, largely because of health and congenital problems that make them unfit for adoption. Shelter staff suggest those who want purebreds contact rescue organizations for that particular breed or find a reputable breeder recommended by a vet. The shelter does get some purebreds, and interested customers can be put on a breed waiting list. All breeders must be registered and inspected by the county. Shelter staff say if anyone knows of backyard breeders with unhealthy practices, such as dogs confined in stacked-up cages, or the breeding pair not being screened for congenital health problems, to report them to animal control at 774-6655.Animal control can investigate and even shut down an unhealthy mass-breeding business. Wiley says she’s now very attached to her seven-pound pup, and she just hopes Bearly continues to heal and has a healthy liver someday. "He loves to go to garage sales, and people say, ‘Oh, where’d you get him, I want one!’ " Wiley says, "and I say, ‘No you don’t.’ " Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . 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