puppy mill
noun
: a commercial farming operation in which purebred dogs are raised in large numbers and often in substandard or poor conditions
Currently, hundreds of thousands of dogs languish in puppy mills, large commercial breeding operations that supply most pet stores across the United States and contribute heavily to the pet overpopulation problem.—
Dog Watch
Dog WatchExamples of puppy mill in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The bill also aims to rein in puppy mills, Gaetz said.
—Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
An Iowa Senate bill that would limit state regulators’ oversight of puppy mills and dog breeders is facing stiff opposition from animal advocacy groups.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 12 Feb. 2026
People don’t know about puppy mills.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 8 Feb. 2026
Ending the retail sales of dogs is a crucial way to reduce demand from puppy mills.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for puppy mill
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
An Iowa Senate bill that would limit state regulators’ oversight of puppy mills and dog breeders is facing stiff opposition from animal advocacy groups.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 12 Feb. 2026
People don’t know about puppy mills.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 8 Feb. 2026
Ending the retail sales of dogs is a crucial way to reduce demand from puppy mills.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for puppy mill
Cite this Entry
“Puppy mill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puppy%20mill. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
