How to Find a Responsible Dog Breeder
Looking for a Puppy Breeder?
There are a few ways to go around buying your new friend, and because of Lucy's Law, if you have decided a newborn puppy is the right thing for you, all of them will involve find a breeder. This blog will help you work out how responsible they are, and how to decide which breeder is the right one for you.
A Responsible Breeder Will:
Answer any questions you have
Ask you lots of questions
Show you the puppies and their mother together, ideally suckling.
Provide all the paperwork, vaccinations etc
Offer DNA health tests for the parents. These are often breed-specific and you can check which schemes should be used HERE.
Be happy to use a contract of sale for the puppies, and should offer a money-back guarantee if any health issues arise
A Bad Breeder Will:
Agree to meet you somewhere that isn't their location (i.e. a park)
Accept puppy deliveries. NEVER allow your puppies to be delivered. You must visit the premises of the breeder
Rush you to exchange money and feel like you are under pressure
Will not offer a contract or guarantee of health.
Make excuses as to why you cannot see the mother.
Assured Breeders
The Kennel Club offers an assured breeder program for breeders offering pedigree dogs. Many breeders will be a part of this scheme and it is a great way to see their quality. You can check the claim HERE
However, many amazing breeders are not in this scheme as they do not breed pedigree. Cockapoo breeders, for example, are not allowed to join the scheme. Instead, look for breed clubs that offer a similar scheme.
puppies.co.uk Listing Rating System
At puppies.co.uk we use our 30+ years of experience in dog breeding to rate each litter and listing we see. We look for things such as health tests and breeder background to give a rating out of 5*. You can use this system to find great, responsible breeders on our site. Learn more here.
Other Great Resources:
https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/puppy/breeder
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog/are-you-ready/finding-a-good-breeder/
