The Dog Merchants

Inside the Big Business of Breeders, Pet Stores, and Rescuers

By: Kim Kavin

Narrated by: Tamara Marston

Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

We love them with all our hearts, but do we really know where our dogs came from? Kim Kavin reveals the complex network behind the $11-billion-a-year business of selling dogs. A must-listen for the benefit of all dogs everywhere.

In what promises to become an Omnivore's Dilemma for dog lovers - breed devotees and adoption advocates alike - The Dog Merchants is the first book to explain the complex and often surprisingly similar business practices that extend from the American Kennel Club to local shelters, from Westminster champions to dog auctions.

Without judging dog lovers of any stripe, The Dog Merchants makes it clear that money spent among these dog merchants has real-world effects on people and canines. Kavin reveals how dog merchants create markets for dogs, often in defiance of the usual rules of supply and demand. She takes an investigative approach and meets breeders and rescuers at all levels, shedding much-needed light on an industry that most people don't even realize is an industry.

Kavin's goal is to advance the conversation about how all dogs are treated, from puppy mills to high-kill shelters. She shows that a great deal can be improved by understanding the business practices behind selling dogs of all kinds. Instead of pitting rescue and purebred people against each other, The Dog Merchants shows how all dog lovers can come together, with one voice as consumers, on behalf of all our beloved companions.

©2016 Kim Kavin (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Excellent Book to know more about dog merchants

Neutral content. A great overview on how dog merchants and rescue groups operate. Absolutely worth reading.

Read this book before getting a dog from any source!

A thorough investigation into puppies mills and a general guide to the pitfalls of aquiring a family pet dog, this book opens your eyes to the world of breeders good and horrific. It also explores the AKC who admits to inspecting about 9% of their recommended breeders and the damage shows like Westminster and Crufts do to both purebred dogs and their consumers.

She proposes a new type of show called “Best Dog.” Read the ending for details.

I also highly recommend her previous book, Little Boy Blue,

Everyone needs to read this book!

I loved this book. Perfect for anyone who loves or is interested in dogs. Wonderful!

Must read for all dog lovers

Incredible, thorough, and unbiased. This book is truly a must read for anyone who loves dogs, is thinking of getting a dog, or works in the dog world!!!

Oh dear ...

Not necessarily filled with happy stories, but informative. Would like to see author write more on the topic.

Have a Dog? Listen to This!

Necessary for anyone who has a dog, wants a dog, and/or generally likes dogs. If you have or want a dog and don't listen to this, you will likely be giving money to people who abuse dogs. PROTECT YOURSELF. PROTECT YOUR DOG. ARM YOURSELF WITH THE TRUTH.

Also, SHAME on the pathetic sniveling cowards who threatened lawsuits and police action against the author for her website. DogMerchants.com should be a Yelp-like site for dogs as originally intended!!! Only shady, abusive PUPPY MILL PEOPLE would threaten someone whose mission was to help people discover the truth! Not a puppy mill person? PROVE IT!!!!!!!!!!

THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE

THE TRUTH WILL SET THE DOGS FREE

Informative and inspirational

I wasn't really into the book at the beginning. I'm glad I stuck with listening, as this was one of the best audio books I've listened to yet. The author does a good job of presenting all the competing interests involved in the dog industry while not taking firm sides until the conclusion. You might change some of your opinions after this book. I did.

Highly informative, well researched, and well presented. I can't recommend this book strongly enough if you're at all interested in the dog industry!

Must read if you are going to get a dog

The message is well researched and circumspect. The amount of money flowing in and through the market for dogs in the US warrants conscious consumerism and collective action in the part of buyers/adopters.

Puppy Buyers, educate yourself.

This book is an education..
Hobby & Show Breeders should read/listen to this:
It’s eye opening..
Ileen Green, CPDT-KA

Very infomative and well narrated.

Very helpful for anyone that's looking into buying a dog or just curious about the market.