Unfortunately, looking for a new member of your dog family isn't always as easy as it seems. Clients often find out too late that they have bought a puppy from a 'puppy farm' or 'backstreet' breeder. There is no licence needed to breed dogs, and unfortunately, this means that some people do this for money.

So, what is a puppy farm?

A puppy farm is a term we use when people breed dogs purely for money. They will often sell numerous different breeds, breed from the bitches far too frequently, and get rid of the breeding dogs when they are no longer able to reproduce. The mum and puppies are often not given the required care that they need.

How do I know if the breeder is a good one?

1. Do your research. Look online to see if anyone else has bought a puppy from this breeder. Have they been selling puppies recently or very frequently? Are there loads of different breeds for sale?

2. Does the breeder ask you the right questions? Are they ensuring that you are going to be a suitable owner?

3. Visit the puppy - does the puppy match the photos shown online? Ensure you meet at the premises where the puppy was born and insist on seeing the siblings and mum. If the breeder refuses, then something isn't right. Do not meet in car parks and laybys!

4. Make sure the puppy is microchipped. It is the legal responsibility of the breeder to microchip all puppies.

5. Make sure the puppies have been wormed. The breeder should provide evidence of worming, microchipping and ideally first vaccination. Make sure the puppy is no younger than 8 weeks before leaving the mum - ideally it should have been health checked by a vet.

6. Good breeders will provide breeder’s insurance, which usually covers the puppy for 4-6 weeks. If it is a purebred breed, then a kennel club registration is a good indication.

It is illegal to buy a puppy and sell it on for profit, so anyone that is trying to sell you a puppy that hasn't bred it themselves, is doing so illegally.

If you visit a puppy and you have concerns that it might be a puppy farm, DO NOT buy the puppy. Although it is difficult to walk away, this will only feed the puppy farm industry. If in doubt, then give us a call on 01665 252250 and we can answer any questions you may have.