Finding a good puppy breeder

If you've decided to buy your dog from a breeder, you'll want to make sure the puppy you're buying is healthy and happy and that you're unwittingly funding the cruel puppy trade.

Here are some great tips for finding out if you're buying from a responsible breeder or one whose only interest is profit

A responsible breeder will:

spend time chatting with you on the phone
arrange a time for you to visit to meet their puppies, along with their mum and siblings, in the place where they were born and raised
be happy to have more than one meeting to ensure you and the puppy are compatible
be happy to answer all your questions – and ask you just as many to make sure their puppies are going to a good home
be happy to show you their licence from their local authority if they're breeding and selling pets as a business (to make a profit)
provide genuine paperwork/certificates for puppy vaccinations, microchipping (which is a legal requirement), worming and any health test results

A responsible breeder won't:

rush you into parting with cash in exchange for a puppy
stop you seeing the mother by saying that the mother is at the vet's, asleep or out for a walk. If mum isn't there, then the puppy wasn't bred there
offer to deliver a puppy to you or meet you somewhere random like a car park
hand the puppy over before it's eight weeks old – it's illegal to sell them younger than that
say 'it's normal for the breed' about health issues such as snoring – all puppies should be born with the best chance of living happy, healthy lives, whatever breed they are
use Kennel Club registration (or any other registration) as a guarantee of quality or health and happiness

Questions to ask the breeder on the phone

Before you arrange to visit a puppy, it’s a good idea to phone and ask some questions first. Here’s a guide to get you started. You might want to write down your questions, so you don't forget.

Part 1: General questions

did they breed the puppy? It’s not a good idea to buy a puppy from anyone other than the breeder, otherwise you will not be able to see the puppy with its mother in the place where it was bred or find out about the puppy’s history
are the puppies kept where they were bred? Always see the puppies in the place where they were bred
how many puppies are there in the litter? It’s best to arrange a viewing when there’s more than one puppy to see. Also ask this question again when you visit the puppy to make sure that you get the same answer about the size of the litter
have any of the puppies had any health problems? Has the mother had any health problems?
have the puppies been treated for worms or any other parasites? Generally, puppies should have been wormed at approximately two, five and again at eight weeks old
will the puppies be given their first vaccinations before they go to their new homes, or have they already been vaccinated? If not, you will need to arrange for them to be carried out soon after the puppy arrives, should you choose to buy one. If they have, make sure you see the vaccination certificates
have the parents been screened for any inherited diseases known to be a problem in that breed? Many inherited diseases including cancers, blindness, diabetes, heart disease, cataracts, epilepsy, hip dysplasia and congenital deafness, are very common in particular breeds. They can be extremely painful or even life threatening. Veterinary treatment can be cost a huge amount, and some pet insurance companies may charge more or not cover certain breeds, so it’s worth checking with the insurance company of your choice
do the puppies have any form of identification, such as microchips? Remember, by law, all dogs must be microchipped

If you're buying a puppy, make sure they're microchipped before taking them home. It's a dog breeder's responsibility to make sure puppies are microchipped before selling them. Puppies cannot be sold until they're eight weeks old, and they must be microchipped before you can buy them. Breeders must also register their details on the database, and their details will be recorded against the microchip for the life of the dog. Please ask for evidence of microchipping.

Part 2: Matching the right puppy to your home and lifestyle

A puppy who hasn’t met many people or other dogs or has lived in a very quiet home may need to be very carefully introduced to new experiences to make sure they don't grow up afraid. This may be OK if you’re an experienced dog owner who has got plenty of time to help build the puppy’s confidence, but if this is your first puppy or you are inexperienced then this puppy is not for you.

where will the puppies be kept? For example, is this inside the house in a busy kitchen where lots of people come and go and interact with the puppies? Think about whether this set-up matches your own home environment.
where does the breeder live? Is it in a quiet or busy area? Has the puppy been exposed to loud noises such as traffic or television? Think about whether this matches your own home environment.
have the puppies met and been gently handled by children of different ages? This is particularly important if you have children or grandchildren yourself
have the puppies met adult dogs as well as their mother?
how many people regularly interact with the puppies and are they used to having contact with people during the day or only at certain times (for example, for short periods of play and feeding)?

Part 3: Arranging to see the puppy

If you’re happy with the answers, the next step is to arrange to see the puppy. But before you do, just check the following.

will you be able to meet all the puppies and their mother? Don’t agree to meeting just one puppy without their mother. Looking at the health and behaviour of the mother and the puppies interacting together will help you make a good choice of puppy
will the puppies’ father (sire) also be present? If not, find out if you can contact his owner. Ask plenty of questions about his health, temperament and that of other litters he has fathered

Visiting the breeder and choosing your puppy

When it comes to choosing your puppy, try to look for a happy puppy who wants to interact with you, and check out our top tips for spotting a healthy, happy puppy.

Spend plenty of time with the puppy and don't feel rushed – they'll be your responsibility for many years to come. Don't buy on the first visit and use our checklist to make sure you've asked the right questions, and you're happy with the answers.

Visiting a puppy checklist

When you visit a puppy you’re thinking of buying, take this checklist with you. It contains useful questions and things to look out for to help you make the right choice of puppy for you.

Where were they bred and reared?

make sure they were bred and reared where you actually see them. Look for clues like whelping pens, food bowls and bedding. If the puppies appear scared in unfamiliar surroundings they may not have been bred there
compare the breeder’s home with your own – is it a close match to your own? It’s best to get a puppy from a similar environment
check how the puppies respond to you. Nervous puppies need lots of time with an experienced owner to build their confidence and may not be a good choice for a first-time buyer

Meet the parents

meet both parents or at least the mother and siblings. Be sure she’s the mother – look for enlarged nipples or that she is still producing milk
ask lots of questions about the mother’s health and behaviour. Watch and see how she behaves towards you. Does she greet you in a calm, friendly manner?
watch out for exaggerated physical features in the parents, such as a very short flat face or very wrinkled skin which may affect the puppies’ health and welfare

Check the puppies’ health

If you notice anything doesn’t look quite right, ask a vet to check the puppy before you buy.

visible ribs
dull, dandruffy coat or sore patches of skin
red or runny eyes or nose
coughing, noisy or heavy breathing
signs of diarrhoea around the tail/bottom
scratching or areas of hair loss
weakness, wobbliness or difficulty standing up
getting tired very quickly
limping, difficulty walking or lifting legs
hunched or crouched body
straining going to the toilet

If you notice anything doesn’t look quite right, ask a vet to check the puppy before you buy.

Choosing the right puppy for you

spend plenty of time with the puppies – five minutes is not long enough
sit down amongst the puppies. Is the puppy confident, happily exploring you and its surroundings?
if you’re an inexperienced owner, don’t choose the sad-looking puppy sitting on its own
take the puppy to a different environment, like a garden or another room, to see its reaction
if you’re happy so far, plan a second visit and take the rest of your family
find out what and when the puppy is fed so you can continue with the same routine at home

Use the puppy contract

If you're satisfied that the puppy you've chosen is healthy and happy, and you're confident you've chosen a good breeder, it's now time to think about taking your puppy home.

There's one more thing you can do to help make sure you're buying from a responsible breeder. Ask your chosen breeder to complete the Puppy Information Pack and contract for the sale and purchase of a puppy. A good breeder should be happy to do this.

Remember, if something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't. Although it's tempting to 'rescue' the puppy, you'll be financially supporting the puppy trade and sadly, another puppy will just take their place. Instead, walk away and report your concerns to us immediately.