How to Find a Reputable Dog Breeder in the UK

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A Practical Buying Guide for First-Time Puppy Owners

Finding a reputable dog breeder is one of the first and most important steps in bringing home a happy and healthy puppy. When breeding is done right, you get a well-socialised companion with a strong start in life. When it’s done poorly, you risk scams, puppy farms, and lifelong health issues. We have put together a guide that offers clear, practical steps to help you find a responsible breeder.

Why Finding a Good Dog Breeder Matters

Poor breeding isn’t always obvious at first. Many puppies from irresponsible breeders look healthy when collected, but problems appear later. These can include genetic conditions that are not apparent at first, behavioural issues caused by poor early socialisation, and high vet bills.

In the UK, unlicensed breeders and fraudulent online listings and irresponsible practices have increased significantly. That’s why learning how to find a reputable dog breeder is essential, especially if you're buying your first puppy.

How to Find a Reputable Dog Breeder (Step-by-Step)

From your early interactions with a responsible breeder, they should come across as transparent, knowledgeable, and committed to the long-term welfare of their dogs. Whether you are interacting with them on texts, calls or face-to-face, there are mental checkpoints to remember. These will help you identify a breeder who genuinely puts their dogs first.

1. Start with ethical, verified platforms

Avoid platforms that do not actively check listings for legal compliance, welfare standards, and signs of fraud. Our team takes the time to manually check every listing to protect buyers from unethical breeders. Things such as health checks and types of registrations are key spots that you will want to look into.

2. Research the breeder thoroughly

If you have shortlisted a couple of breeders, take a moment to understand who you're dealing with. Researching the breeder gives you an early sense of their reputation, how long they’ve been breeding, and whether other buyers have had positive experiences. This step helps you avoid hidden issues and gives you confidence before arranging a visit.

3. Check all health testing

While health testing is not a legal requirement, responsible breeders typically carry out breed-relevant health tests for one or both parents. Buyers should understand the risks if tests have not been completed. Always ask for proof.

4. Visit the breeder’s home

Under Lucy’s Law, buyers must see the puppy with its mother at the breeder’s premises where it was bred. Any refusal or suggestion to meet elsewhere should be treated as a red flag. Being in their home lets you observe the puppies’ behaviour, the cleanliness of the space, and the breeder’s relationship with their dogs. It’s also during this visit that red flags often surface: hidden outbuildings, nervous or absent mothers, inconsistent stories about the litter, or signs that the puppies were moved from somewhere else.

5. Meet the mum with her litter

If the mother is not present with the puppies at the breeder’s premises, this is a breach of Lucy’s Law, and you should walk away. Meeting her tells you everything about breeding conditions and temperament.

6. Review health records and paperwork

This includes:

Vaccination card
Microchip number
Worming record
Health-test certificates

Checklist to Ensure You’ve Found a Responsible Dog Breeder

Use this checklist to confirm you’re dealing with a genuine, ethical breeder.

A responsible breeder will:

Have mum present and healthy
Provide health-test certificates upfront
Allow multiple visits or video calls
Ask you questions about your lifestyle
Offer a clear puppy contract
Provide breed-specific guidance and lifetime support
Raise puppies in a clean, enriched home environment
Be transparent about any known health issues in the breed

Red Flags of an Unethical Breeder

While the previous steps may be obvious at first glance, there are additional red flags that could surface during your interactions with dog breeders. When dealing with irresponsible breeders, you will notice that they often rely on pressure, secrecy, or misleading information.

A responsible breeder will NOT:

Offer to meet you in a car park or halfway
Hide the mum or claim she’s “at the vet”
Operate multiple litters or breeds without transparency, welfare standards, or appropriate licensing where required
Rush the sale or offer discounts
Refuse to show health certificates
Advertise puppies as ‘ready now’ before 8 weeks of age, which is illegal in the UK
Avoid showing the breeding environment
Provide vague or missing paperwork

If you notice even one of these signs, treat it as a serious warning.

How to Avoid Puppy Farmers and Scammers

Puppy farmers often hide behind polished online listings. These are cruel, large-scale operations that prioritise profit over welfare, keeping breeding dogs in cramped, unsanitary conditions with little human interaction. In recent years, especially following the introduction of Lucy’s Law, many may have pushed their operations further underground. Scammers, meanwhile, take deposits for puppies that don’t exist. Here’s how to stay safe.

Common signs of a puppy farm:

Mum is missing or nervous
More than one litter on-site
Different breeds kept together
Puppies appear underweight or lethargic

Common signs of a scam listing:

Only stock photos are used
No video call offered
Phone number frequently changes
The breeder refuses to share their address
Price is unusually low or high

A live video call can be a useful preliminary step, but it does not replace the legal requirement to see the puppy with its mother at the breeder’s premises.

Questions to Ask a Breeder

Don’t hesitate to ask all the questions you need in order to ensure that you are dealing with a responsible breeder. Knowing what questions to ask helps you identify ethical breeders and avoid unsafe ones.

Phone Questions:

“Can I meet mum and the litter together?”
“What health tests have you completed?”
“How many litters do you breed each year, and how do you ensure welfare standards for all dogs?”
“How old are the puppies right now?”

In-Person Questions:

“Can I see their health-test certificates?”
“How have you socialised the puppies?”
“What support do you offer after I take my puppy home?”
“Do you provide a contract and receipt?”

A reputable breeder will answer confidently and openly.

Why We’re Here to Help You Find a Reputable Breeder

Our mission has always been to protect puppy buyers from the risks above, and that’s exactly how we were born. We saw how many families were being misled, pressured, or left heartbroken by unsafe breeders, and we knew there had to be a better, safer way to find a puppy. Today, we’re here to guide you through the process with honesty, care, and a genuine commitment to helping you find your new companion responsibly.