Puppy mills need to be shut down. And no, they won't be killed, they'll eventually be sold, and if less people buy from mills, the less mills there will be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HM8UmHM8Uo
By buying the dogs, you support the mill.
If the shop doesn't sell the puppy, they won't kill it, waste of money, they'll lower the price.
And it's not the puppies themselves, but their parents, stuck in nasty conditions, bred until they die or are rescued, and it is disgusting.
A reputable breeder is not someone selling overpriced dogs, reputable means:
They have great pedigrees on their dogs, going back many generations.
The dogs have had thorough temperament tests.
The dogs have been screened for disease and problems that can be passed to pups.
The dogs are very well conditioned prior to breeding, and are taken expert care of during pregnancy, labor, and the puppies are socialized, trained to an extent, and have health tests before going to pre-arranged homes.
The ***** (female) is not bred more than 3 times in her life, 4 at the MOST.
Not bred before 2-3 years old/same with male.
You get my point? Buying from a good breeder cuts own on the irresponsible breeding of dogs.
So sorry to get off topic, but the issue came up.