These so called ‘puppy mill’ laws are a joke and fall into the same category as the depressing SPCA ads asking for money IMO. How many dogs you have is not necessarily an indicator of how they are treated. I have malinois and any trainer/breeder who specializes in working/military dogs will tell you that they have to import dogs because there aren’t enough quality dogs bred in the USA. Many of the famous malinois/german shepherd kennels in Belgium, Holland,France and Germany would be labeled puppy mills here, and they most certainly are not. Short story is that the gubmint hates any internet sales, because they are much more difficult for them to take control over, tax, etc.
Exactly. You could have many “breeding dogs” but because you are responsible, have very few litters, carefully watch where puppies go and be regulated...OR you could have up to the limit with 4 breeding females, produce 8 litters a year if you bred all those girls every heat, sell those people to WHOEVER and be exempt. Makes perfect sense! </sarc>