Finding A Local Dog Breeder

Getting a puppy is very exciting but it is important to take the time to find a responsible dog breeder. It can be hard to know which breeders are responsible and which are not. This guide, therefore, aims to offer all wanna-be dog owners reliable advice on how to find a local dog breeder near you that is reputable. 

Make sure you ask lots of questions and never rush your purchase, no matter how desperate you are to take a four-legged friend home. A big part of finding a healthy, happy puppy to join your family is avoiding irresponsible breeders and puppy farms. 

What Does A Responsible Breeder Look Like?

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A good dog breeder is someone who takes the responsibility of breeding dogs seriously, they ensure their animals are properly cared for and they are not just doing it to make money. These breeders have a good reputation and they are knowledgeable about the breed they work with. 

Various schemes can help you find a responsible pedigree breeder, for example, The Kennel Club’s Assured Breeder Scheme. The breeders involved in these schemes meet high standards so it can be a good place to start your search. However, there are also many responsible breeders not involved in these schemes so don’t rule them out based on this alone.

The Signs Of A Responsible Dog Breeder

Responsible dog breeders are open and transparent, they are always willing to answer questions. Reputable breeders are happy for you to visit their premises where you will be able to see where the dogs live and the general cleanliness and care of the property.

The health of the dogs is of utmost importance and responsible dog breeders will not only have a good relationship with their local veterinary practice but they will have records of health tests and genealogy of the dogs they are using to breed. 

A Responsible Breeder Will Be:

• Happy to talk to you over the phone 

• Happy to meet with you 

• Willing to answer all of your questions 

• Able to show their Local Authority licence (where applicable)

• Able to provide genuine paperwork and certificates for the puppy (including microchipping, vaccinations, worming, and the result of any health tests that have been performed)

• Happy for you to visit the mother and puppies 

• Offer advice and information on feeding, training, and exercising your puppy

Dog Breeders To Avoid (Avoiding Puppy Farms)

Unfortunately, puppy farms are still a reality, these places prioritise profit and breed large numbers of dogs with little care for the animals’ health and welfare. 

Puppy farms cut corners to maximise the profit they make, this means the dogs and puppies are not health tested or vaccinated which increases the risk of health problems. The environment of a puppy farm also leaves the animals traumatised, which can lead to behavioural problems in the future. 

When you are looking for a puppy, take your time and if something doesn’t feel right walk away and continue your search elsewhere. Never purchase a dog from a breeder you think could be a puppy farmer, instead report them to the local authority, police, or RSPCA.

• Don’t pick up the puppy from a location that is not the breeder’s premises/ house 

• Don’t buy from a breeder who lacks knowledge about the breed

• Don’t buy from a breeder who claims they can get you a puppy of any breed, colour, or sex 

• Don’t buy from a breeder if the dogs seem uncomfortable around them or if the dogs seem generally unhappy or unwell (you shouldn’t feel like you are “rescuing” the puppy, this is a sign of a puppy farm and needs to be reported)

• Don’t buy from a breeder who doesn’t ask questions or show interest in your home and lifestyle - good breeders want to make sure the puppies go to a good home 

Why It’s Important To Find A Responsible Dog Breeder

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Finding a responsible breeder is just as important as finding the right puppy. Searching “dog breeder near me” will generate a list of breeders but choosing one of these without thorough research would be a mistake.

Dogs from puppy farms or irresponsible breeders are more likely to suffer from health issues as well as behavioural issues. 

Responsible breeders will screen for health issues and make sure the parents are health tested before they are used for breeding. Good breeders will also make sure all the dogs are well cared for and they have all the relevant vet visits before being homed.

The first 12 weeks of a puppy’s life are part of their critical socialisation period so you will want a puppy that has been socialised and has had many positive experiences while with its breeder. Unfortunately, dogs from puppy farms often have behavioural issues because they are not socialised during this time. 

Useful Tips On Finding A Reputable Dog Breeder

As there are many breeders out there, use these tips to help you find reputable ones that you can trust:

Visit The Litter Before Buying 

Visiting the litter before you buy a puppy will help you to get a feeling of the breeder and the premises. You will be able to see the dogs' living conditions as well as meet the parent dogs and siblings. 

Visit the litter at least once before making your final decision and when you decide which breeder and puppy are right for you, always pick the puppy up in person at the premises. 

Review The Medical Records Of The Puppy And Their Parent 

Before buying your new puppy, ask the breeder to show you the medical and vaccination records of the parents and the puppy. A reputable breeder will talk to you about health conditions the breed is known to suffer from and will tell you which health tests were performed before breeding. 

Ask Questions 

The best way to identify which breeders are reputable is to ask lots of questions. Buying a dog is a huge commitment and it is understandable for potential new owners to have lots of questions before taking the plunge and buying a puppy. 

If the breeder is not willing to answer your questions or their answers seem strange, this could be a sign that something isn’t right. Reputable breeders are more than happy to talk to you about the breed and puppies and will answer any questions you have, ensuring you have all the information you need before making your decision. 

Ready To Find A Puppy From A Reputable Breeder?

Use Puppies to find a puppy near you from a reputable breeder. To help you avoid irresponsible breeders, all listings have been pre-checked against a fraud database and any breeders who are breaking the law or presenting scam listings are banned and reported to Action Fraud.