American Kennels

WARNING… American Kennels SELL ANIMALS WITH HIDDEN MEDICAL PROBLEMS and then lies to minimize your concern so they can keep your money. I purchased a puppy from American Kennels earlier this year. The day after r taking her home and of course falling in love with her… I noticed she was making little coughing noises. I called American Kennel and they said it was probably just a little cold. Give her plenty of water and rest and she will be fine. Well the cough continued to get worse and worse. They said they would reimburse me if I took her to the vet. I took her to my vet and it turned out my poor baby had a very serious condition requiring IV antibiotics and a one week stay in the animal hospital. American Kennel tried to blame me for my puppies condition and refused to reimburse me. They have no ethics. They are dishonest. I will never shop there again and have told all of my friends not to patronize this disgusting puppy mill.

Our frenchie is healthy, super smart with a sweet personality. She is a wonderful addition to our family. We absolutely adore her. The pet store is clean and run smoothly by the staff. I am very satisfied with my puppy. Mr. Luigi helped us get the perfect dog for our family. Thank you.

Unfortunately, this is my second time reviewing this place as Unilocal felt that my first review violated privacy concerns. So, here I go again.
On the American Kennels website, it reads: «We at American Kennels believe that we are only as strong as the health of our pets and the happiness of our clients.» That is a fabricated lie. My initial feeling when I first bought my pug 2 years ago was insensitivity and greed from this overpriced pet shop that deals with puppy mills. I had to put my 13 year-​old pug to sleep and stopped in there and bought a new pug on a whim; my 2 year old Pug died in April. Cody died from necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME), also known as Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE). PDE tends to strike Pugs who are closely related (e.g., littermates) and many veterinarians suspect that it is hereditary and immune-​mediated. They continue to use the very same breeder for their Pugs, so if you are considering purchasing a Pug, I suggest you go elsewhere. I went into the shop the day after my dog died at the Animal Medical Center on 62^nd Street and told the Manager, what happened. He stared at me blankly, with NOT an ounce of sympathy or compassion. Although I was given a ridiculous ‘Lifetime’ guarantee (which is 25% off of the price I paid for Cody), I was told that they had no pugs, do not expect any in the foreseeable future and was offered a call should a Pug dog become pregnant. I would not wish what I went through on anyone and the manager does not belong working with animals or people.
Not surprisingly, American Kennels is on the Humane Society list as well as many puppy stores in Manhattan with shady breeder (puppy mill) information. I had included a link in my initial post proving so, however, have decided not to in this post in case, American Kennels and Unilocal decide to remove this review. I have been a constant ‘Yelper’ for years and haven’t been doing so for the past year; have been an ‘Elite’ Unilocaler for 2 years and have been very fair with my reviews and am being quite reasonable with American Kennels.
It just so happens that Cody’s breeder is from Missouri and apparently from one of the worst puppy mills in Missouri and the country for that matter!

This place is horrible, rude and dumb staff with shoddy supplies… Should have know better than patronize a place that still sells puppy mill dogs.

The dogs and their crates were beyond dirty. It was disgusting. A few dogs had a bunch of poop encrusted around their butts, a few had gunk around their eyes due to infection, many looked like they had never been washed, the list goes on. The worst part is that they looked either depressed, stressed or sick.
The conditions made me angry and sad.

I went to this store to get my first puppy and when I entered the place it looked so fine. Sales were all suited up and professional. Right after I chose an adorable teacup size maltipoo, he told me that the puppy just got here in the store therefore they needed to keep him in the store and check him for a few days. He pushed me to the counter and asked me to pay saying I have to pay now for the puppy to be mine. I paid for it and went home, waiting for their call. Later that night I did some research on the store and see those terrible comments and reviews, the next day I decided to get my money back and buy puppy from other places. When I went to the store, the guy acted so indifferent and said, we have a no return policy, and if you want to return the puppy, we have to charge you half of the price. That was ridiculous! I didn’t even get the puppy yet and the price of the puppy was 3850!!! I had to pay almost 2000 for nothing!!! After negotiation, the store still kept 1000 dollars, they were very rude and unprofessional and the prices of the puppies are insanely high! I will never ever recommend anyone to go there.

This place is awful! They clearly do not care about their animals or their customers. Even though there is a sign saying they provide breeder information, if you actually ask about it they refuse to give it!
The dogs are in tiny cages, sometimes two dogs to one cage, and they don’t even have proper flooring! They are standing on grates and they put paper down for the dogs to their business.
I honestly can’t believe this place hasn’t been shut down yet!

I did a little more research after writing this and it turns out that this store has been investigated by the humane society and does indeed buy puppies from puppy mills. Please do not buy pets or pet supplies here! it is a truly disgusting institution! Click the link below and scroll down to see them listed as one of the many stores in NYC that obtains their dogs from puppy mills:
Like most of the reviews say this is a truly terrible place! The dogs are kept in cages and when I asked for a dog breeder they said I had to buy the dog before they could give me breeder information and when I pushed them they gave me a fake name.
They were clearly very defensive because they don’t get their dogs from reputable sources or treat them well. The cages didn’t even have proper floors they were bars! All the people working there were very rude and unhelpful.

This place is as good as it gets for a pet shop with very sweet animals. I have gotten 2 great dogs from American Kennel. Well behaved and trainable. I just got a new puppy and he’s a beauty, as well as sweet and fun. Hoping he’s as wonderful as the Bischon and pug. I know that people do not like many pet shops because of the sources, however these dogs have been just as wonderful as top breeders I have gotten other dogs from. Additionally we worked with rescue greyhounds, so I understand all that is involved in saving dogs. Having the resources, if there’s any concern, I think it’s a blessing to be able to get dogs here, and if you are concerned about the money, just dont go into these shops. These dogs would end up in a bad spot if it werent for caring owners like myself who get them young. We could stop the source and pattern, but why penalize the great pups already in the stores? I dont understand that logic. Everyone, the staff was so kind (sorry to hear Jin they werent to you?) and the woman who handles the dogs there, especially caring. If you feel sad for them, and have the resources, then go in, get one and show you care to the animal and explain to the owners youd like to see better care etc. I walked in there the other day and 3 women were raving about the dogs they got over the decades there (local NY women).
Happy to report early Feb, our baby Frenchie is doing sooo well, and he’s so adored.

This store is terrible. I gave them one star only for that my westie is healthy for now. Thanks god!
There are some problems:
1. The employees there are extremely cold, to their customers and puppies, of course except their sales guys. It’s nothing a puppy store should look like. They really treat their puppies like products but not alive creatures. They don’t offer any more help or after-​sale services. In fact, I still didn’t receive my pup’s registration after 3 months.
2. Some of their puppies are registered in America’s pet register, inc (APRI). I really don’t care if my puppy is pure blood or not. But the employees claimed that this is a reputable institution to register pure blood dog. But once you do researches online you will find APRI is not! It means their puppies may not from reputable breeders and, unhealthy.
Avoid this store!

If you are a truly animal lover, please do not go here. These animals are from puppy mills… I bought a kitten from there and it costs $ 800 and the cat turned out to have behavioral issues and I had to take him back to store, and they only give me half refund. They just want to make money from innocent animals. Now I own a beautiful poodle that I purchased from a reputable breeder and his personality is wonderful and his health is great!
If you really want a healthy puppy/​kitten, stay away from them!

I picked up my dog after grooming and she had BLOODY clipper marks on her little belly.
I had told them she has a sensitive skin but that is so cruel!!!
I would normally not complain but that is really a dangerous situation.
and my gut told me not to give business to stores who sell puppies

This place treats their dogs terribly. One of the guys kicked the garbage can loudly to scare the puppies so that they would stop barking. Another puppy had infected eyes and when customers pointed it out they pretended like it was something that was common for the breed but it most definitely isn’t. The puppies just looked sad and unhealthy in general. Do not support them — find a way to save these poor puppies!

I had a horrible experience at this establishment.
I bought a sick dog. I literally got home and within 2 hours the dog had a deep hack every 1 minute. IEarlier in the pet store they told me that the coughing the dog exhibited was because of the leash and he would not cough in his cage. I had listened to this although my gut gave me a bad feeling.
Within 2 hours of being home I took the dog to the vet. The dog was subscribed antibiotics, and 2 cough related medicines. The vet provided an unfit for sale letter.
Most astonishingly, I had bought at American Kennels when I purchased the dog $ 420 worth of supplies for this dog. They refused to refund me for the carrier and open food. I understand they can not resell these items; however, the whole reason I purchased the supplies was for the sick dog they sold me which I was now returning. For the supplies I lost nearly $ 250, the vet bill was $ 400.
I am not an animal rights advocate as I thought maybe was the case with most the reviews on here. I was getting my first dog which the pet shop knew and they still went ahead and sold me a dog they knew was sick.
Avoid at all costs. Follow your gut about this place.

Experience as a previous client: HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE. The staff is condescending and completely unprofessional. I feel so sorry for the animals. If I knew my dog was not what the establishment had advertised, I would not have given this establishment money. They use deceptive practices. Do not listen to anything they tell you (breeders, health, or any information). They act like you are an inconvenience by asking any questions before your purchase (they fail to answer them intelligently, and correctly). If you have high standards, this is not the place to go. I am no longer a supporter for pet shops, but if you must go, go elsewhere.
Prospective Clients: A lot of the animals here are sick and neglected. I suggest that you do not leave your animal for grooming or daycare. A lot of dogs get nervous while left in a kennel, so they won’t eat, become severely dehydrated (better off having someone come to your home). Dogs are at a high risk of kennel cough (airborne) and parasites. Excessive barking and behavioral issues can be learned here as well. In addition to some other serious factors. It’s better to find a reliable pet sitter to watch your dog at your own home, or their home.
Educational Info: A great site just to explore to learn more about where the puppies/​dogs come from. Please be open minded, take a look…

Buyer beware.
I don’t necessarily agree that this place is a puppy mill, as some have suggested here. I doubt they would have survived for decades in an affluent neighborhood if they were. Be that as it may, I do have some issues – enough to keep me from purchasing a pet from them again.
My wife and I bought a three-​month old Long-​Haired Chihuahua from at this place during the Thanksgiving weekend of 2012. We had had a Chihuahua before, so we are familiar with the breed. When I asked the salesperson how large the dog would become, he said (emphatically) six pounds. That’s good because that’s what a Chihuahua should grow to – maybe seven pounds. Hold that thought.
They wanted $ 2000 for the puppy – $ 500 dollars more than I had planned to pay. We settled for $ 1600 – as the pup suddenly became «on sale» when the salesperson talked to his manager.
We were delighted with the dog (we named him Gravy) and took him to our vet the next day. He checked out fine – in perfect health. Shortly after that he got his rabies shot and a microchip. We’ve had the dog for a year now and he has been wonderful – a very sweet dog. He even traveled with us (on a plane) to Kansas City when he was only six months old. He traveled quite well.
What I’m amazed at is that we never got any follow-​up from American Kennels. Not one phone call to see how things were going. Not even an email or a text message. Nothing.
But what I am really annoyed about is that the dog is now 15 months old and can you guess what he weighs? Almost 11 pounds. And he is not fat. But what can you do? Take him back now that he is fully grown? I don’t think so. We love him. But we definitely wanted a smaller dog. In hindsight, I don’t think the salesman knew anything about the breed – except enough to say what he knew we wanted to hear. Six pounds.

If I can rate this as zero I would. I was here with my family passing by to see the adorable puppies in the window. I Been passing by this place for over 5 years. I stopped because a little girl screamed «mommy the puppy is dead!» I look at the window and there the puppy was– looked so sedated. I walk in the place and it’s not like other pet stores with the barking an yipping. I thought this place was empty! Looking closer in the dirty kennels, there were cats and dogs– all asleep. I mentioned to the employee there, but all I got was a shrug. I thought he Prob didnt speak English, but I heard him carrying on with the manager? who was spraying tons of air refreshener around. Didnt help with the smell of feces/​misery. Wow, was like a twilight zone in this place. I wouldn’t put my worst enemies pet in this place– run away!

Very clean and large store. I have not used them for grooming. I DID come to look for a shih tzu puppy. The first time, I called ahead, but when I arrived, they had no shih tzu. Somehow the dog disappeared within 30 minutes.
The second time, I called and went to go see the dog. I am a serious buyer. I asked an older gentleman who works there to see their Shih Tzu. He was very reluctant to show me the dog even though I’d called in to specifically see the dog and told him so. I wanted to walk out with a puppy.
He proceeded to bring out what was a ‘shih tzu’ puppy. I kept asking questions about the dog’s date of birth, origin, and other important information. He rolled his eyes and mumbled answers. Clearly, I was asking these questions because I wanted the dog. He didn’t know many of the answers, and didn’t bother looking them up. The levels of animosity was ridiculous when I was willing to spend over 2k at his store.
The dog was very hyper, had a longer face than most Shih Tzu and different fur. I kept remarking how un-​Shih Tzu like he was. Then I looked at the tail. it was NOT a Shih Tzu, but a MALTESE!!! I couldn’t believe he tried to scam me! No wonder he didn’t want to tell me the D/​O/​B or lineage of the dog. I blew my day going over there and he’s going to try to sell me a different breed of dog?!? He tried to pass this Matlese as a Shih Tzu who just got groomed. yea right. I took a picture and sent it to my friends. RIDICULOUS! Don’t trust this store. They are mean and bad at their jobs.

I really wanted to like this place but I must say… I do feel a bit badly about some of the puppies there. Most of them are shaking, nervous, anxious. This one particular poodle puppy (could not have been more than 1 pound) I held could not stop shivering (probably close to a panic attack). If she were properly socialized or old enough … perhaps things would have been different.
I also asked about specific breeder information /​where they get their puppies from and no one could provide me with a straight answer. So after I came back home, did a bit of research, and was not surprised to see their name on this undercover report by the Humane Society (link below). Read with caution, as it lists many puppy stores in Manhattan with shady breeder (cough puppy mill) information.

My wife and I bought a Shih Tzu puppy from here and he has been nothing short of amazing
Unilocal should delete these useless reviews from people preaching about puppy mills. Theyre useless to Unilocal members trying to get legitimate reviews about businesses.