Whether you are looking to buy a puppy or an adult dog, it's important to prioritise the well-being of the animal and ensure you are not supporting unethical breeding practices.  

If you are buying a puppy, have a look at The Puppy Contract for some more in-depth information when looking at where to get your puppy from.  

Some options to consider when looking to buy a puppy or dog are: 

• Rescue Organisations and Shelters: Consider adopting a puppy or dog from a local animal shelter or rescue organisation. There are countless dogs and puppies in need of loving homes, and adoption is a compassionate choice that can save a dog's life. These organisations also typically provide care, vaccinations, and sometimes behavioural assessments.  
• Reputable Breeders: If you're interested in a specific breed, research and identify responsible breeders who prioritise the health and well-being of their dogs. Look for breeders who conduct health testing on their breeding dogs and provide proper socialisation and care for their puppies. Breeders selling 3 or more litters a year must have a license from their council to breed dogs.  
• Breed-specific Rescue Groups - Some breeds have dedicated rescue organisations that specialise in rehoming dogs of that breed. If you have your heart set on a particular breed, consider reaching out to these organisations. 
• Online Platforms (with Caution) - If you choose to buy a puppy or dog online, exercise extreme caution. Online purchases are growing in popularity but buying an ethically bred dog this way can be challenging. Make sure to thoroughly research the seller or breeder, ask for references, and ensure they provide clear information about the dog's health, upbringing, and any required vaccinations or medical records. 
• Do your research - before getting a dog, educate yourself about the specific breed's needs and consider whether it's a good fit for your lifestyle. Research the breed's temperament, exercise requirements, and potential health issues. 

This is a breeding establishment where multiple dogs are continually bred for profit. They usually offer very poor welfare conditions for the mothers or puppies. Often many different breeds are available and often there are puppies in constant and plentiful supply. Some puppy farms will source puppies from different countries and import them for sale in the UK. Often this is done illegally and again the welfare of the puppies is often overlooked for profit. The correct vaccinations and healthcare are not provided prior to or during transportation. 

A reputable breeder will generally only breed one or two different breeds at a time and put the health of their dogs above profit.  

The wellbeing of dogs and puppies is often not considered by puppy farmers, they are bred for profit, not for health. Profits are maximised at all times, and it is much cheaper to keep the breeding stock in poor conditions with poor welfare standards. Veterinary care is likely not provided and proper prenatal and post-natal care unlikely. Enclosures are often small, cramped and dirty.  

Over breeding of bitches is common as extra litters gives extra profit. Reputable breeders generally retire a brood bitch after a few litters and ensure they have a break between litters. Puppy farmers will breed the bitch again at each season to maximise the litters they can have in their lifetime. The Kennel Club will only register the first 4 litters produced by a bitch. Legally 6 litters is the maximum that should be produced.  

Inbreeding is also often a problem. As the dogs are continually mated there is little regard for the genetics of the parents. Inbreeding is common and this contributes to a higher instance of health conditions.  

Intensively farmed puppies are unlikely to have been socialised and are more likely to have behavioural issues. Farmed puppies will have never experienced a “normal” family home or environment. This can make it quite intimidating for them. There is also a very good chance the puppies were removed from their mother before the legal 8 weeks minimum. This is done to allow the bitch to recover briefly before she is bred again. It does however mean the puppies do not learn to properly interact with other dogs. 

The mothers of puppy farmed dogs are often abandoned when they reached the end of their worth to the breeder. If they can no longer breed they can no longer make money so are discarded.  

Everyone wants their new puppy to be happy and healthy. Puppy farmed dogs are more likely to develop illness or have long term health issues. It can be very difficult to spot a puppy farmer or unethical breeder from a regular breeder. Often underhand tactics are used to convince buyers that their pet has been bred ethically when they have not.  

Lucy's Law began in April 2020. This outlines that all third-party sales of puppies six months or younger will be banned. Puppies must be sold by the breeder; from the place they were born with their mum. This law aims to stop puppy farms and other untrustworthy sellers. 

Here are some top tips to help you try and avoid unscrupulous breeders: 

• Always ask for references. Ask for references from previous buyers to ensure they have a positive track record. Also ensure that they have a licence if they are breeding more than 3 litters a year. This allows some reassurance that the premises are inspected to ensure that the dogs and puppies are kept in appropriate conditions.  
• Ask for photos. Breeders generally take as many photos as new parents. Your breeder should be able to send you pictures of your prospective new puppy without much delay. Be wary of stock images or a breeder that is unable to send an image without a delay. 
• Visit the breeder in person before you purchase your dog - arrange a visit to see the living conditions and meet the puppies' parents. Responsible breeders will be open to such visits and should be transparent about their breeding practices.  
• When you visit ask yourself if you believe this is genuinely where the puppies were bred. Do the dogs all seem familiar with their environment or are they exploring a new one? Breeders have been known to use a dummy house to convince new owners the puppies were bred in a clean and loving home environment when they were not.  
• Observe how the dogs interact with each other. Are the puppies with their parents? Puppies should not be removed from their mother until they are 8 weeks old (this is a legal requirement). Puppies and parents will be relaxed and interact with each other easily. If the dogs do not seem to be doing this, they may not be related at all. Stunt mothers have been used to fool buyers into thinking the puppy was bred from a well-cared for mother.  
• Ask about healthcare - reputable breeders will provide information about vaccinations, deworming, and vet checks for the puppies. You should receive a fully completed vaccination card and microchip paperwork for all puppies when you collect them.  

Be Patient - finding a responsible source for a puppy may take time, but it's worth the effort to provide a happy and healthy life for your new pet. 

Remember that responsible pet ownership is a long-term commitment, and it's essential to provide a loving and caring home for your new puppy.

Buying a dog online can be convenient, but it's essential to do so with caution and responsibility to ensure you are dealing with reputable sellers and ensuring the well-being of the dog.  

Here are some steps to help you to avoid a puppy farmer when purchasing a dog online: 

• Look for stock images or reused photos that have been repeated on multiple postings. This may be a sign that the litter is not the one pictured. 
• Beware of adverts that use similar or identical wording to other listings. This may mean all of the listings are by the same breeder.  
• Check the contact numbers – many puppy farmers will have multiple adverts for puppies of different ages and breeds. These can sometimes be identified by comparing the contact numbers on the listings. 
• Check the puppies age in relation to their vaccinations. Vaccinations cannot begin before 4 weeks of age. This is especially important if the puppy has come from abroad and has a pet passport. A pet passport cannot be issued until the puppy is 12 weeks old and the puppy cannot travel until it is a minimum of 15 weeks old. 
• Never agree to meet in anywhere apart from the breeder's house to view or collect your puppy. Many reasons are given for this, but it is never recommended. Ensure you meet the puppy's mother and see them in the environment they were bred. 

Be extremely cautious and prepared to not purchase a puppy if: 

• You are not able to view the home they were raised in 
• You are not able to view them with their mother 
• The breeder seems reluctant or unhappy to answer your questions 
• The breeder asks you which puppy you have come to see. This can often mean they have different breeds they are selling and the home you are visiting is a front for the sales. 
• You are pressured in any way to make a decision 

Always prioritise the well-being and ethical treatment of the dog and be cautious when dealing with online transactions to avoid scams and unethical breeders.