Large breed dogs that do not sell within the first month grow into lanky puppies who have difficulty turning around in their cages. Pet shop puppies lack fresh air, exercise, play, and lots of positive human contact, all of the ingredients necessary for a puppy to become a happy, well-adjusted adult dog. Pet shop puppies commonly have worms, upper respiratory infections, ear and eye infections, mange, coccidia or giardia. Sick puppies, even those with distemper or parvo, often share cages with well puppies. Due to improper ventilation, the germs of puppies in the back room are spread throughout the store.
Puppies frequently die or require euthanasia.
AKC registration, however, does not guarantee proper breeding conditions, health, quality, or claims to lineage. The AKC derives a significant percentage of its revenue from the registration of puppy mill litters. It registers thousands of puppy mill puppies each year without questioning the horrendous conditions in which these puppies are raised. Pet shops frequently sell sick puppies. A number of genetic defects do not emerge for months or even years.