Most of the public do not know about puppy mills/commercial breeding (USDA inspected), they see them on the news and feel sorry, but they do not identify at the time. Many people remember the days of getting a dog from the local pet store who sold local breeders or back yard breeder puppies only displayed on the weekend if ever. Many people watch the rescue shows and think all shelters and pounds will find their nuisance puppy a home so they drop them there.
People who suddenly want a dog often go to the internet and buy based on looks...often they do not get the puppy in the picture (lots of cut and paste) the designer dogs have caused an already strained shelter system to overload. The dogs as someone pointed out sometimes do not stay cute as they envisioned some are sick, will have life long problems (due to poor health of mother and poor conditions), many will have behavioral problems. The dog does not deserve this or do we.
Even some show breeders misrepresent their dogs, generally I side with the breeders, but there are problem ones, people need to educate themselves, all we can do is keep talking, sometimes it does sink in. It may take a learning curve for your friend or family member but when they finally say to you next time I am doing my homework and getting what I paid for.
I have a friend she bought a Golden years ago from a pet store...it was too late...she was in love. He was smaller then the standard and was slow...sort of dull in the brain. He died at 13. She called me and said Robbie I got a new dog and I listened to you I did not go to a pet store. I bought from a breeder and met him and the puppies in the parking lot of the store...Well, she half listen. She paid 1,500 for the Golden and $2,000 for a Boxer. The Boxer has aggression problems she has paid to have a trainer work with him...she does not trust him with her child. Last year she looked at me and said I made a mistake with my last two dogs...I get it now...I will only buy from someone I meet at a dog show or visit their kennel and meet them and the dogs. It took a few thousand dollars, some disapointments, and 15 years for her to get it. This is an educated career woman.
I also know a judge who paid 3,500 for a Maltese from a show breeder her puppies are all small but the standard is small, after a week the puppy got sick, she took it to the Vet after two more weeks she went to NC State Vet School, she paid several thousand dollars, the puppy had liver shunt inoperable...her husband made her take the dog back to the breeder (he told me he was not willing to watch it die, and she would not put it down), the breeder claimed the puppy was fine...but would give her another next breeding, but no money back because the puppy was fine. Two years later no money back and she found out the woman had the dog destroyed a week later and has had many puppies with liver shunt. We as buyers need to do our homework, if she had of done hers she would have gotten an older one if small or a bit larger and went with someone who health test and publishes their results. Sometimes it takes hard lessons, it breaks my heart but I hope everyone keeps putting the word out.