Thinking of getting a puppy? Make sure you know where it comes from. Deciding to buy a puppy should be a careful, well-thought out decision. Make sure you don't unwittingly support the cruel practice of puppy farming - the mass breeding of puppies for profit, often with little regard for animal welfare.
The Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999 was introduced to give local authorities more powers to license dog breeders and help stamp out puppy farming.
All new licensed breeders have to be inspected by a vet and a local authority officer. There are strict penalties for cruel breeders who break the law.
Help stamp out the cruel practice of puppy farming by buying your puppy only from a licensed breeder or a small-scale, local breeder. Or why not give a home to a puppy from your local RSPCA centre?Puppy search
Make sure you see a puppy with its mother when you buy from a breeder or commercial premises - this will give you a good idea of background, health, eventual size and temperament. It should stay with its mother for at least eight weeks.
Contact the RSPCA or the local council environmental health department if you are concerned about conditions at premises where puppies are sold.
Try a local small breeder who could have healthy puppies bred in a home environment - your local council dog warden, vet or animal welfare officer may be able to help.
Don't buy from a large, unlicensed breeding establishment - ask to see a copy of the breeder's licence.
Don't be tempted by advertisements offering lots of different breeds for sale - this is a tactic sometimes used by dealers selling puppies bought from unlicensed puppy farms.
Never buy a puppy from someone at a car boot sale, tabletop sale or in a car park, and avoid buying puppies from pet shops - you may be supporting the illegal and cruel practice of puppy farming.
Choosing a puppy
Puppies must be at least eight weeks old before they leave their mother. Purchase should be after, or conditional on, a satisfactory veterinary examination. Avoid skinny dogs or puppies. Also avoid puppies with potbellies, as they are quite likely to have intestinal worms. Never be tempted to take a puppy with runny eyes, a runny nose or a cough. Teeth should be clean and white. Gums should be pink and not smelly. Make sure the puppy's bottom is clean without any signs of diarrhoea or soreness. Do a quick check for fleas and other parasites - many puppies have them but they can be treated. Brown or yellow deposits in the ears are one sign of ear mites. Puppies should have received the first vaccinations in their immunisation programme before they leave their mother and the vendor should supply an interim certificate. Always make sure the breeder gives you a diet sheet showing how the puppy has been fed so far - moving home is enough of an upset for a young puppy without adding to it by the stress of feeding unfamiliar food. If you are concerned about the welfare of a puppy contact the RSPCA cruelty and advice line on 0870 55 55 999. Calls are treated in strictest confidence. If you are concerned about a pet shop or breeding establishment contact your local authority.
