>from Lisa's email's subject line: Be suspicious of newspaper ads selling dogs
Lisa makes an excellent point, but it's misstated. She should have said just "Be suspicious." It doesn't matter where anyone advertises, there are scrupulous and unscrupulous breeders (and buyers) all over. Some advertise in the newspaper, some in the dog magazines, some on the internet, some are BMDCA members, some are Berner-L members. Some broker dogs, some sell at auctions, some sell to pet shops. The unscrupulous will use any means to help make a profit and sell a puppy, they would never limit themselves just to newspaper ads. The challenge that many of us have been working hard with is to help educate the caring buyer about how to better identify the caring seller. I think we have done a great deal in the creation and dissemination of resources: information packets, educational materials, counter newspaper advertisements, posters, baseball cards, the lobbying efforts, the BMDCA education committee, the BMDCA public relations committee, you name it! I think it's becoming more difficult for sellers to churn out litters and sell them for high prices. I think we've been making a difference. We still have a long way to go, but look at how far we've come already! Pat Long, (& Luther) Berwyn PA
