The Top Dog Store: A Quick Recap

Hello Readers,

I just wanted to recap some of the things we have learned about the Top Dog Store - a review, if you will. 

The Top Dog Store is a recently opened dog specialty store which is the only store in Calgary, AB to sell puppies. It is owned by Robert and Marion Church who once privately owned a Petland franchise located in Market Mall (hence why they continued selling puppies after Petland corporately chose not to). Personally I was very proud of Calgary to choose to no longer sell puppies and now this store is leaving a black stain. 

The thing is, I wouldn't have a problem with the store if they actually made honest, ethical decisions. How are they unethical? Simple:

• The care they give their puppies are not the best. http://puppymillsexposed.blogspot.ca/2015/01/the-beginning-of-top-dog-store-series.html
• For starters, they said they would not sell "sled dogs, herding dogs, flushing or pointing dogs, or any sort of bear repelling dogs." That sums up a lot of bigger size dogs - and they are right, they should not sell those types of dogs because their care as impressionable puppies is different than a small breed. The size of kennels that the store has is not accommodating enough for large breeds. What do they do? Sell chocolate labradors.... That is not an ethical decision. 
• Apparently only having rope toys is acceptable. I understand that some dogs have favourites but as puppies, they literally crave different textures. Secondly, where is the food? Some people choose to schedule feed, but if a meal is missed, those little guys can go into hypoglycaemic shock which is caused by low blood sugar. It should especially be available if they just had a play session. 
  
  
  
  
• They technically sell their dogs online - they advertise on kijiji and then sell the dogs to you. Now, kijiji has set up ground rules for EVERY animal seller to adhere to when using their site. One of these rules is that the buyer must be able to see how the puppy was raised and is cared for now. We have seen how the puppies from KV Kennels has raised their puppies in little boxes (see below) - that is not ethical or even plain nice. Additionally, by not revealing the location of their breeders, we, the buyers, cannot physically go and see for ourselves. Wouldn't it be simpler for these breeders to sign a contract saying they will not sell to anyone other than The Top Dog Store and then provide facility showings a few times a year? Would that be so bad? http://puppymillsexposed.blogspot.ca/2015/02/the-top-dog-store-selling-puppies-online.html
• They make themselves sound like a viable option when adopting a puppy because they can offer perks that you can't find anywhere else. http://puppymillsexposed.blogspot.ca/2015/01/the-top-dog-store-and-their-sweet.html According to their FAQ:
• they are a superior option because you can play with puppies (like you can't do that at a reputable breeder's or a rescue?)
• you can talk to a knowledgeable staff member to find the right breed for you (right, because rescues just hand out any dog to any person, there is no process or screening or conversations to ensure that the dog in question is suitable for your household *sarcasm* - or for that matter, reputable breeders screen buyers as well and brag about the breed that they so lovingly raise)
• they have an outstanding warranty for each puppy (okay, any reputable breeder has a guarantee on the health of the puppy - just take a look at the crappy warranty their own breeder has below under JO Kennels) 
• THEY.USE.PUPPY.MILLS. Those who do not believe that fact really cannot deny the facts. The public has access to their breeder evaluations and I have been picking them a part and explaining what each detail really means. 
• Exhibit A: JO Kennels. http://puppymillsexposed.blogspot.ca/2015/01/top-dog-store-breeder-jo-kennels.html
• They have over 50 dogs and 11 different breeds that are cared for by 3 people. Each person person has to care for 17 dogs - feeding, cleaning, playing, walking, etc. Many rescue facilities in Calgary have around 15 dogs total (unless a crisis occurs in which case they find fosters) and they are cared for by a TEAM of people. 
• From the pictures, there is zero enrichment. No toys, or grass. They are dumped into their bare kennels and that is all they ever know. 
• I tracked down their website and they cannot guarantee the health of their own puppies unless it directly leads to death. This means that any illness that is contracted in their facility is not covered OR any birth defects that are not life threatening. Good luck if your dog needs surgery because he has a deformed knee cap or if he develops Giardia. 
• This breeder also does not, under any circumstances, allow potential dog buyers to actually SEE the living conditions or parents of the puppies. They are shipped, packaged goods. This is the biggest red flag for puppy mills. 
• Exhibit B: KV Kennels. http://puppymillsexposed.blogspot.ca/2015/01/top-dog-store-breeders-kv-kennels.html
• Once again, zero enrichment in these pictures - not even beds! Where are all the toys that 50+ dogs should have? I realize that they would go through a lot of toys to cater to each dog but if you want to be a reputable breeder, you MUST supply this basic need. 
• Since these are breeders, let's critique their breeding practices, shall we? They keep their newborns in a tiny box with no light aside from a red heat lamp. They live on shavings which can be damaging on their lungs, cause respiratory problems, and/or cause impaction in their digestive track. Knowledgable, well researched breeders would know this, even if breeding methods were different 20 years ago. 
• Their vet is EXCLUSIVE TO COWS. These vets are not trained to handle dog cases. In fact, the brand of medicine they prescribe to adult dogs for killing fleas can be FATAL to dogs. How many dogs have died because of this? The vet might not even be 100% aware of the death rate because the breeder administers it. (They would have to - good luck taking 50 dogs to the vet.) 

Robert Church tries to sound like he runs a righteous, wholesome business with genuine best interests in the animals. The truth is, he doesn't give a crap about the animals and where they came from. They are packaged goods waiting to be purchased for a frightening price (over $1000!!!). Considering you can get a fixed dog for a few hundred dollars at a rescue, he truly is a highway robber. BOYCOTT the Top Dog Store. Don't give him the money that he craves. He is all about quantity, not quality. Disgusting. 

Cheers.