Hasn't she ever met a good breeder? Breeder does not equal puppy mill. You can't paint all breeders with the same brush as the worst large-scale commercial breeders.

I tried to go through rescue for my last dog, but could not get what I was looking for. I carefully selected a breeder that has let me inspect her facilities and see her puppies every week since they were born. I don't support puppy mills, but not every potential owner will find their match in the shelter lottery.

Since I still know people who wouldn't even consider looking for a pet in an animal shelter, I applaud Oprah's announced intention of finding her next great dog from a shelter. I hope she finds a wonderful dog (she will) and then educates her fans about the gentle process of re-homing a shelter animal.

It's not a question of good breeder vs. bad breeder. It's that there are millions of animals here already that need good homes. Buying from any breeder, good or bad, encourages more breeding.

I must admit I've been disapointed in Oprah since she made such a big deal about going to a breeder to buy her three puppies. She missed a huge opportunity to set a good example by adopting from a shelter. I commend Oprah for finally seeing the light.

Denise, this is what the article actually says: "While Sophie was not a product of a puppy mill, and her three current dogs all came from breeders, Winfrey says in the future she would look to adopt from an animal shelter." She's obviously had several very fine dogs selected from breeders.

Oprah Winfrey is certainly intelligent enough to draw the distinction between reputable, quality breeder and puppy mill. I don't think you'll find too many people posting here who can't draw the distinction, either. It's just too bad there are so many people out there who don't know the difference, and who think that if they pay lots of money for a dog it must be good--and properly cared for. My observations in the past have been that dogs produced by good, reputable breeders are often less expensive than pet-shop or factory dogs because good breeders are interested in improving and contributing as opposed to making money. I hope you located your breeder through the AKC.

It's good that you found the right dog through a breeder. I think that Oprah Winfrey realizes that she exerts a tremendous influence on her viewers. By exposing the abuses of the puppy mills on her show, and by selecting her next dog through adoption or rescue, she is using her influence to inform the public. It's certainly an improvement over Paris "but they keep having babies" Hilton.

Breeders are great...if you need a show dog. When I got my first dog I had no clue about the homeless pet population and I went to a breeder. I got him for $900 instead of $1500 because he was a long-haired german shepherd and they cannot be shown. Looking back, the price (and the reason for it) is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Unless you plan on showing the dog, go to a shelter.

BTW that puppy mill episode airs on Oprah tomorrow (Friday April 4).

Most of you miss the point. If you want and need a dog for general comapnionship purposes, then adopt a dog from a shelter. We live in a society where people must have exactly what they want; because of selfishness, countless dogs in shelters await good homes while people pursue their latest desire in the form of a labradoodle or whatever. Good or bad breeders, there is no conscionable reason why anyone should go to a breeder for a dog. I know, I run a humane society, and I see the consequence of our collective selfishness everyday. It is no less than frightening how selfish the human heart can be.

i love dogs how can i help