How to find the right puppy breeder if you're getting a dog for Christmas?
Should I research breeders before getting a dog?
Yes, you definitely should. By taking the time to research a breeder that responsibly breeds healthy puppies, you will greatly improve your chances of having a healthy, happy dog that goes on to have a long life.
Why is finding the right puppy breeder important?
There are many passionate, genuinely good breeders out there, unfortunately, there are also breeders that breed puppies unscrupulously for the sole purpose of making money, no matter the cost. These breeders will put their profits above the health and welfare of the puppies that they breed. Because of this, it is recommended that you only purchase pedigree puppies from assured breeders.
Why is finding a good breeder necessary?
Assured breeders have all agreed to follow good breeding practices and have agreed to be inspected by the Kennel Club. These assured breeders are required to comply with breed-specific health screening, whilst also maintaining high standards of animal welfare. They will also offer unlimited assistance both pre-and post-purchase. This is to ensure that your puppy has the very best start to its life.
What are the signs of someone being a responsible dog breeder?
Responsible breeders of pedigree pups will be registered with the Kennel Club. Registered breeders will be more than happy to answer questions you may have, and they will also be happy for you to visit the mother of the puppies, along with her litter. You should pay attention to how the mother interacts with both the breeder and her puppies. She should appear to be healthy and happy, and visibly free of disease or illness. If the mother appears aggressive, scored or anxious then her puppies may show these tendencies as they get older. Some exaggerated features, such as flat noses or skin folds can also result in the development of skin and breathing difficulties, for example.
Should I consider buying a puppy from a highly recommended breeder who is not registered with the Kennel Club?
This is a difficult situation. It is a good idea to check out the genetic test results/health of the original pedigree dogs in the line. This will give you an idea of what to expect in terms of the pup's health, character and longevity. If you do decide to go down this route, you should ensure to follow the same rules as outlined above in assessing whether the breeder is genuine and breeding for the right reasons. You can ask friends, family, clubs, or your local vet to see if they have any recommendations for good, local breeders.
Are dog rescue groups and dog shelters good dog breeders?
As a rule to follow, dog shelters or rescue groups should not be breeding from rescued dogs, so you should avoid any that are. The only exception to this rule is if a pregnant dog is rescued, and as a result, has her pups at the shelter. Remember, even if the pup looks like a genuine pedigree pup, there is not likely to be any paperwork to prove that they are.
Should I visit a dog breeder before getting a dog?
Any genuinely good and responsible breeder would be more than happy to let you into their home for you to meet their pregnant dog and her puppies. They should be keeping them in a clean, welcoming environment that leaves you feeling at ease. Their dog should not appear agitated, or in poor health or condition, and the breeder should be keen to talk you through the characteristics of the pups and any health issues they may have.
What are the classic red flags of a bad dog breeder?
A breeder who insists on either meeting you outside of where the dog is kept. Or a breeder who insists on delivering the pup to you, or makes excuses for you not being able to meet the mum. These should definitely be avoided at all costs - particularly if there are continuous reasons/excuses given.
Breeders who are not forthcoming with the answers to your questions should also be avoided. It is also a red flag if they fail to ask questions of you. Be wary as well if the mum or pups are not lively, have ribs protruding, have runny eyes/noses/backsides, are coughing or lethargic, or have skin scores. As a general rule, you should be happy to take home the mother of the puppies. If you are not because of her condition, it may not be advisable to buy a puppy from that litter.
A breeder that is placing multiple adverts for multiple litters at the same time should also raise alarm bells. These are all red flags that they are actually running a puppy farm. These adverts will often be very vague and generic. The descriptions on the adverts are often taken from other websites.
If an ad is claiming that pups younger than six weeks old have already been vaccinated, it is probably because a puppy farmer is breeding them. A puppy should be at least s weeks old when it has its first vaccination, although most are eight weeks of age.
What won't a responsible dog breeder do?
The main thing a responsible breeder will not refuse is your request to meet their pregnant dog, as well as seeing first-hand the living conditions of the dogs. A responsible breeder also wouldn’t refuse or give vague answers to any questions that you ask. They will also allow you to meet all of the litter, not just the puppy you would adopt. They will also not let pups go to a new home without also checking you out to ensure that their puppy is going to a good home. A responsible breeder will also not let their puppies go until they have been fully weaned. This will usually be between six and eight weeks of age.
What is a Puppy Contract?
A puppy contract outlines that a breeder is responsible for setting themselves apart from those whose breeding methods are not at the standard the dog's involved need. The contract contains information on the sire and dam of the puppy in question, as well as the details about said puppy. It provides a legally binding contract between the breeder and the buyer, so both sides can have peace of mind.
Will a good dog breeder use the Puppy Contract?
Yes, a good breeder will always use a puppy contract, it is as simple as that.
What is a puppy farmer?
A puppy farmer is a so-called “breeder”. They use multiple dogs who are continuously bred, with the resulting puppies being sold. Often, the breeding dogs are housed in inadequate environments. They are usually confined in very small spaces and left in dirty conditions, often with little access to water and sometimes food. These dogs will not have seen a vet or received preventative medical care such as vaccinations and flea and worm treatments.
Another common factor of puppy farms is Inbreeding. This can cause potentially catastrophic health issues. Puppies from these “farms” will not have been properly socialised with other dogs and are more likely to develop behavioural problems such as stress and anxiety. Sickly pups are often sold as healthy ones by puppy farmers. Sadly, once the mothers are no longer “useful”, they are tragically abandoned.
Why should I avoid puppies from puppy farms?
Puppies from puppy farms are likely to be in poor health and will have very little immunity. This will mean that they are very sickly. Because of this, they will need potentially a lot of costly veterinary treatment. You may also be unable to get them covered by insurance for certain “pre-existing” conditions. If you need to claim you could be seriously out of pocket.
Many people understand that puppy farming is abhorrent, and may feel compelled to “rescue” one of the pups. In fact, you are far better to walk away and reporting the puppy farmer to the RSPCA. You should report the ad and call the police if you see any animal cruelty.
FAQs about dog breeders
Should I wait to find the right dog breeder?
The more research you do the better. According to The Kennel Club, almost 15% of pups purchased in 20 minutes or less will experience illness, death, or ongoing veterinary treatment in the first six months. This number is three times higher than the rate of puppies that have been chosen with more time.
Is it safe to buy a puppy online?
It can be safe to buy a puppy online, but you will need to do your research. You should take on board all of the advice and information that we have given you above, and if you have any doubts, always investigate the area of concern thoroughly before agreeing to the purchase.
What is Lucy’s Law?
Lucy’s Law is legislation that was brought into effect in April 2020 to tackle a low-welfare, high-volume supply of puppies and kittens. It does this by banning their commercial third-party sale in England. The law means that anyone wanting to get a new puppy or kitten in England must now purchase directly from a breeder, or consider adopting from a rescue centre. If an independent business buys or sells puppies or kittens without a licence then they could receive an unlimited fine, or even be sent to prison for 6 months.
The legislation is named after Lucy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who was rescued from a puppy farm in which she was subjected to dreadful conditions. Because of this, Lucy had many health issues. Thankfully, she was adopted by a new owner having been liberated by an animal rescue organisation.
Can I speak to a vet before buying a puppy?
If you would like some personalised advice about buying a puppy before you make any purchases, then a vet at PocketVet would be more than happy to help however they can. Chat with an online vet at PocketVet today.
Medically reviewed by:
Sources
https://pocket.vet/blog/getting-a-dog-finding-the-right-puppy-breeder
https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/puppy/breeder
https://www.uk.pedigree.com/getting-a-dog/preparing-for-a-dog/finding-a-good-dog-breeder
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog/are-you-ready/finding-a-good-breeder/
https://www.four-paws.org.uk/our-stories/publications-guides/how-to-find-a-responsible-breeder
https://gov.uk/government/news/lucys-law-spells-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-puppy-farming