As heartwarming this story is, "designer dogs" are by no means biologically sound, not bred for temperment/good behavior, nor ANY different from pound puppies who are in desperate need of rescue.

Instead of people spending $200-$600 or MORE on a so called "designer dog", why not support our local PAWS, Animal Shelter or Purebred Rescue? Dogs are adopted to deserving homes for much less than $200, often including services such as spay/neuter, microchipping and a round of inoculations.

Then a LOT more people could contribute the extra $$ (hundreds of dollars) they've saved for projects like Cambodia, Darfur etc. And NOT support backyard breeders who are irresponsibly creating these "designer" breeds.

Just my 2c.
Grace

Their philanthropic intentions are commendable; but fundraising with a puppy mill is not - there are already too many unwanted dogs in the world. Couldn't they come up with a do-no-harm item to market? Designer jewelry, maybe.

Why add to one problem to solve another? There are already too many mixed breed dogs in our shelters. I am sure there is something else you can "create" to help this charity effort.

One of the problems I have with this concept is that it perpetuates the idea of fads, but with living creatures instead of clothing, music, etc. Pets are not disposable, and they sure aren’t an impulse buy. I agree with the other posters; why not adopt a dog from a shelter, pound, or rescue group, and save a life for much less than the $1000-$1500 price tag that is on the Bikki Bear website. My husband and I rescued a young dog that had been in a shelter for two months, and then moved to a rescue group when she was about to be euthanized. Both her knees in her back legs were blown and no one gave her a second look. She had surgery, and she went from a dog that could only walk on her front legs, balancing so she was upright but dragging her hind legs, to a dog that loves racing after her ball. The change in her from the surgery, and from being in our loving home, is amazing. Rescued animals are some of the loyalist, most loving creatures you’ll ever see. A life knows when it’s been saved.

One other problem I have is that these puppies are being bred mainly for profit, with a “portion” of the proceeds going to charity. If you want to donate to a cause, then donate to a foundation where most, if not ALL the proceeds go towards your charity.

Charity is giving to others--using a blend of dog breeds and selling for exorbitant prices--(yes, these are exorbitant prices), then 'donating' $200 is not my idea of charity It doesn't respect the dogs, the charity work, or the problems in Cambodia. Look in the pet ads any day of the week and you will see people that are trying to profit from mixing breeds and selling for the most money they can make. If you want a dog or puppy--go to the local Shelter, NOAH, or Rescue organizations. THEN--donate money to the cause you believe in. People that are creating a breed can go through the AKC to get the breed recognized........it takes a great deal more time and effort than coming up with a cute name and selling them as a new 'breed' that is unrecognized, undefined, and unnecessary except for their personal goals..

I believe in the cause, but not the breeding and selling of puppies. Just look on Craigslist to see the amount of unwanted animals that people get as babies and then don't keep. Since I believe the in cause, I went to the Worle Concern website and donated. No puppy needed! I think if they just get the word out about the cause, people will donate.

I am very disappointed in King 5 for promoting this woman. Don't they know about the pet overpopulation problem in this country? Don't they know that every puppy bred takes a home from a puppy or dog who desperately needs a home? There aren't enough homes for them all and she's making more??? Shame on King 5, shame on this woman and all the other breeders,and finally shame on every person who buys a dog from a pet shop or breeder.
There are so many ways to help deserving causes. This is NOT one of them.

Yes, absolutely, there are many unwanted dogs in shelters across this country. Yes, these dogs do deserve homes. However, many of these "unwanted/shelter" dogs have sketchy histories, at best. Many of the breed types in shelters also may be prohibitive, for people to "home", for a miriad of reasons. Maybe the dog needs more property, than one can offer, or they are too active for an older or disabled person,or they cause allergies/asthma attacks, etc, etc. These dogs/animals deserve homes that are equipped to serve and care for them best. It is important to remember, we live in the real world, and it is definitely unrealistic, to think "any or everyone" could give one of these dogs the type of home, it demands is an ignorant point of view. What about the people, who have children in their home? Yes, I have no doubt, because of what is typical of the species, there are many shelter/rescue dogs, that are loyal. Shelter or not, MOST CANINES ARE LOYAL!! I also have no doubt, that there are a good number of these "unwanted"/shelter dogs, that have not been socialized appropriately with children and/or other dogs/animals. The problems that arise from inappropriate socialization, makes it prohibitive, for them to be "homed" with people who have children or for that matter with people who do not have proper training, education, or experience rehabilitating a dog, illsocialized behavior, that could result in a dangerous situation. Who is anyone, to deny someone else a pet to love, i.e. a pet, that won't cause them to have an asthma attack, a vicious attack, destruction of property, etc.?? It is good, to have pie in the sky aspirations, for the animals in shelters. But, I would wager, many of these extreme opinions/accusations, are made by people, who do not know a whole lot about animal behavior and/or rehabilitation OR even how to identify a good breeder from a bad. Troubled dogs, big dogs, destructive dogs, or dogs with fur coats (vs. hair coats), are not for everyone. Last time I looked, this was still a free country...a country of choice for it's people. Don't make blanket statements of "ALL" breeders, while denying still others of their choice to love a dog/animal, that will not pose harm to themselves, their children, and/or to others, because they are unable to retrain/rehabilitate a dog/animal, with serious pre-existing problem behaviors. There are many responsible and trustworthy breeders out there, doing a lot of good. It is sad, when people think they corner the market on self righteousness enough, to accuse others of self righteousness! Shame on you????? Come on! Don't be so hatin'. Try to encourage those capable, to adopt shelter animals, give to worthy causes when you can, and try to stamp out hateful attitudes whenever possible. Lastly, why don't you, in person, go check out this woman's facility, to make sure it truly is a puppy mill, before you make such evil statements. If you find that it is a "puppy mill", then please, do the right thing, (since you are so righteous), and contact the proper authorities.

Very sad that King 5 is promoting a puppy mill. Puppies should not be bred for this purpose. there are plenty of mixed breed puppies in shelters that need homes.

The contracts on the Bikki Bear website do not say the breeder will take the dog back if the buyer can non longer keep it nor does it specify that the dogs should be spayed or neutered.

This is not a reputable, responsible breeder.

All this woman is doing is contributing to the over population problem of mixed breed dogs.

And it is a very small percentage of a 1500.00 purchase price that actually goes to charity.

While it sounds warm and fuzzy to raise puppies to help people, the person benefiting the most is the breeder, she is raking in the bucks with her mixed breed dogs. if she was truly wanting to help people, she would donate most of the purchase price, but, that still does not make it right to breed mixed breed dogs.

I will not donate to organizations that auction off puppies as fund raisers, and I would never recommend buying a puppy from a breeder like this.

SUNDAY UPDATE FROM Tricia Manning-Smith

Thanks for your thoughtful responses on this news report. The poignant issue of homeless animals in need of adoption is accurate; any overflowing animal shelter is proof. While I am certainly no animal husbandry expert, nor do I profess to have knowledge about animal breeding, I have personally covered "puppy mills" and witnessed the inhumane conditions that may exist within. What I viewed at the Clearview kennel in no way falls into that category. Certainly, any charity would welcome direct contributions to a cause of your choosing, to benefit some of the many overwhelming human plights affecting our world today. Besides the dog breeder, we reported that others in this same "Women of Purpose" group personally donated from their own resources, some creatively organized concerts and a golf tournament to benefit exploited Cambodian women and children. Thank you for taking the time to write your comments.

PLEASE!! For goodness sakes! Stop accusing people of being a puppy mill, without proof! I watched the story. Yes, I do agree there are things that do not seem right about the whole guise of selling puppies for profit, and using a charity, to promote one's own business with just a pittance going to charity. However, businesses do it every single solitary day all day! Quite pointing fingers!! Those of you, who falsely accuse people, of being puppy mills, are just as guilty, as the ones they are accusing. It's just a different kind of evil. Not one of those dogs shown in the King 5 piece looked as though they were a "puppy mill" dog. Those shown, looked like they were clean, happy, loved, fed, watered and well cared for. Educate yourself about what a "puppy mill" is, before you start throwing such an evil accusation around so irresponsibly/ignorantly.

I think there are some very valid points. There are many animals un justly euthanized every day but people still pay top dollar for a pure bred instead of adopting from a shelter, and if some of the money can go towards a good cause then that's great. I can understand why not ALL of the money is donatable, it costs money to feed, groom, and keep up the facilities for the animals. My issue, like with any breeder is how often are the females being bred? Are they breeding on every heat cycle or giving a break between? Breeding every heat cycle is unhealthy for female dogs. I am sure they are kept in cleaner conditions than animals are in shelters. I used to work at a vet hospital and 8 out of 10 animals that came in for well checks after adoption were diagnosed with kennel cough or upper respiratory infections. Give the lady a break she's doing more than the majority of us are!!

I am appalled that King would run this story and promote a backyard breeder.

I am appalled that King 5 would promote this lady and her "profitable" business of breeding puppies regardless of what the cause is for.

This article depicts breeding puppies as a lucrative business and the last thing we need is for more potential backyard breeders to think that breeding puppies is a profitable business idea, whether they are doing it for charity or not.

You want a better story idea, Tricia? How about you actually report on the exploitation of women and children in Cambodia instead of trying to paint a feel good story about "puppies as profit", oops I meant "purpose," and sugar coating the issue. This article truly makes me sick to my stomach.

I am appalled King 5 would choose to promote such reprehensibe behavior as to add to the massive pet overpopulation problem by breeding designer dog for profit. I don't care where the $$ is going - this program is morally bankrupt.

No matter how good her cause it does not justify adding to the over population of pets. Sure she's helping alleviate one social problem by adding to another. Nothing justifies that!

This woman is not a responsible or reputable breeder by most typically accepted standards (designer dog issues aside). Go to the Bikki Bear website and look at the contract. Anyone can buy one of her dogs (screening appears to be very minimal - new owners dont even have to be 18yrs old). She appears to understand the biology (put boy with girl) but no concern for genetics or breed improvement (refer to spay and neuter requirement for any dogs that may not be to "standard"). There is no veterinary health certificate included (all dogs can have thyroid issues, etc. were the parents fully checked out prior to breeding??). There is no language saying that at any time in the dogs life if it doesnt work out she will take it back (no concern for the individual dogs she has arranged to bring into this world). There is no mandatory spay and neuter clause. She also advertises in the newspaper (reputable breeders already have the litter spoken for prior to the breeding). Only donating $200 out of $1500?? - Sorry folks this cake is for profit with a topping of charity frosting. This is just BAD, BAD, BAD and shame on King 5 for promoting it (very poor research/knowledge). Im switching to Channel 4.

So many "appalled" readers who are apparently not very skilled in critical thinking.

Cross-breeding dogs is no different from the massive volume of strays reproducing every day. And like it or not, there are people out there who want a particular breed of dog. Some want hunting dogs; some specific types of hunting dogs (English or Llewellin setters).

Don't make the mistake of assuming that tailored breeding is tantamount to abuse, and don't be so lazy as to project what you read or hear onto a particular story, just because its elements sound familiar.

Good story, Tricia. I'm a former newspaper reporter and thus am quite familiar with the puzzling accusations of "promoting" people or concepts merely by virtue of covering them. I guess it's an occupational hazard. Some readers seem to believe they are entitled to exactly the material they want to see.

The bottom line is WE DONT NEED MORE PUPPIES.

STOP THE MADNESS

STOP HIDING BEHIND A GOOD CAUSE

STOP.

SHAME ON YOU KOMO

STOP REPORTING/SUPPORTING THIS FRAUD.

STOP.

This is one of the most bizzare schemes I have seen, forget the shelter dogs, forget breed standards & genetics, forget licenses.What are you thinking to publish and endorse such lunacy as a media outlet ?? This is right up there with Erwzqn4aster ducklings for sheer inane thinking

I am absolutely SHOCKED that a reporter does not know what a PUPPY MILL IS (does Tricia watch Oprah?) and also does not realize the potential for fraud with this setup.

Perhaps Tricia does not understand that thanks to lack of licensing and inspection laws, puppy mills frequently hide the number of animals bred and sold to avoid taxation (and also hide the actual figure for "charitable donation.")

And since this is a foreign charity, it is impossible to determine if any money is actually going to a charity, or is not simply being laundered.

Just because someone makes a claim on a website doesn't make it so! That is why so many puppy mills can hide animal abuse and disease through fancy websites that cover the truth, and also hide questionable "charitable activity."

The internet if filled with fraud from people who can sound like the most loving, caring people in the world!

What is more interesting is what this breeder has been up to prior to now- has she been licensed, inspected, collecting sales taxes, paying income taxes? Selling sick or genetically defective animals? Getting needed vet care for the animals?

Puppy mill breeding businesses are notorious for evading these responsibilities.

I am just shocked that a reporter would allow herself into being manipulated into giving free advertising for an ethically dubious "business."

And Scott, the shelters are filled with dogs that come from breeders like YOU!

As far as purebred or "designer" breed dogs, they are far more likely to have problems than any mixed breed due to the inbreeding required to get the looks, and the fact that most are coming from puppy mills that use inferior breeding stock.

And Tricia, apparently you are unaware of how puppy mill breeders "set up" controlled viewing so that people get only a rosy view, not the true picture of what is going on behind the scenes. This is understandable since the puppy mill breeding industry has used dishonest tactics for a long time to dupe the public.

But please, learn about the world of puppy mills, and internet puppy mill sales!

And I would like to know- have taxes been paid on the $1500 per puppy this breeder has been selling so that American charity programs like education, Social Security, food stamps can keep running?

What is her tax id number? Where is her business license? Has the income been getting reported to the state and federal tax authorities, as she is required to do? How many animals is she selling per year?

While this may not be a puppy mill in the sense of dozens or more dogs being bred constantly, living in filth, and being given less than adequate food and medical attention, it does not mean that this is "good" either. Backyard breeders are as much a part of the problem as large volume mills.

I am appalled by the non-stop judgemental, attacking, accusing, "holier than thou", narrow minded posts in response to this article. The first thing that is so clear is how the "no-dog-breeding" religious zealots attacking this woman are so caught up in their own self-righteous hate emanating out of "their cause". The over-the-top arrogance of the people posting here, commenting as if they are eminently entitled to hurl one scurulous charge after another at the puppy breader and then showing complete disdain for and dismissal of this woman's efforts supporting the cause she has taken up, is breathtaking.

I would at least expect those of you who believe you are engaged in the "greater good" of championing homeless dogs, would have the personal maturity to at least recognize the value of another human being's efforts to help those in need that weigh heavy on their heart. Do you think this woman's efforts on the part of those caught in human trafficing comes from a different place in her heart than your efforts for homeless dogs comes from in yours??. Shame on you. And if any of you claims "tolerance" as one of your core values, you need to do a little humble self-reflecting and self-observation.

Secondly, my family (myself, wife and 2 sons) purchased a puppy 2 months ago from this "puppy mill breeder". Every single thing about the process of buying our dog from her was completely positive, meticulously handled and utterly humane. And, ALL of her actions unquestionably demonstrated a great deal of obvious love and care for the puppies and their parents.

OH, AND BY THE WAY... my older son who is 13 years old has severe allergies including dog allergies. He and his brother have been asking for a dog for about 7 years. But we always had to say no because the allergist and his Doctor said it would be too hard on his system. This past year they finally said it would probably be ok as long as we got a non-allergenic breed. I guess in her back yard laboratory, "Mrs. Frankenstein" must have gotten lucky with the haphazardly concocted breeding mix and matches she threw together to come up with our dog... because my oldest boy has had no allergic reactions the first 2 months we've had "Logan". He (Logan) has been a delight for our family to get to have and love.

And if this Cruella Devil is such an "unreputable breeder", and her business an assembly-line puppy factory, then why the heck have 5 DIFFERENT FAMILIES that we know well (and now our own also) raved about their experiences with this dog breeder and the quality of her care, practices and business... ALL ending up with completely healthy dogs, that received VET rave-reviews, with no sicknesses, no diseases... NO NOTHING??!!! Just very sweet, cute and healthy dogs with great deameanors from day one. God help us if people like the one's who have posted here are ever running things.

If any of you want to responsibly actually go investigate, find and expose actual inhumane puppy mills... go for it. But let's be honest here. Anybody who doesn't agree with or espouse your beliefs that the creation of any dog which isn't stray, is barbaric, would be on the receiving end of your utterly jugdmental, projection filled, accusation-loaded, self-rightious and angry firing squads. Oh, and Trish... nice piece. Thanks for writing this and bringing our attention to the reality that any one of us can do tangible things to help intervene in and lessen significant human suffering. Which is what your article is actually about.