Start with the mother dog
The single most reliable indicator of a puppy mill or irresponsible backyard breeder in India is the condition of the dam, the mother dog. Ask to see her. A legitimate breeder will bring her out without hesitation. If the answer is that she is "resting," "at another location," or "not available today," leave.When you do see her, look at her body. A female dog carries a litter for approximately 63 days and should not be bred again for at least 18 months after whelping, according to standard veterinary guidelines. A dam with a sagging abdomen, visible ribs, dull coat, and anxious eyes has almost certainly been bred through consecutive cycles without adequate recovery. This is the physical record of the operation written on one animal.A 2011 study published in the Veterinary Record by Pierantoni, Barnard, and Reisner found that puppies separated from their mothers before eight weeks of age showed significantly higher rates of aggression, destructive behaviour, and anxiety as adults. The mill model depends on early separation, puppies sold young look smaller and cuter and free up the dam for the next breeding cycle. If the breeder tells you the puppy is "eight weeks" but cannot show you a whelping record or a vet's first vaccination certificate dated from birth, the age is a guess at best.
