There are many laws in the UK, which cover the breeding and selling of puppies
The Puppy Contract can help ensure that you buy from a responsible breeder, avoid puppy farms and scammers, and choose the right breed/type for your household.
This link for 10 steps to buying a puppy
- Is a puppy right for you? Can you meet their needs?
- Can you afford the long-term costs? Veterinary costs, insurance, training classes, food, toys, beds…
- Which breed/type is right for you? Consider breed health. Has the breeder carried out health testing and screening on the parents? Is a working breed a good fit for your household?
- Where to buy a puppy? Choosing a responsible breeder or rehoming centre. Avoiding a puppy farm
- Phone before you visit. Know which questions to ask to ensure it’s a responsible breeder
- Visiting the puppy. Check out the environment and temperament of the litter. Meet the parents of the litter. Check the health records of the parents, and the health of the litter
- Check the health records of the puppy. Vaccinations and micro chip
- Choose the right puppy from the litter. Don’t base your decision on looks alone. Experiences in a puppy’s first few weeks of life has a huge influence on their behaviour as an adult
- Don’t buy a puppy on the first visit. Avoid an impulse purchase.
- Once you’ve chosen your puppy, ensure you have everything in place before bringing him/her home
This link for How to Spot a Puppy Farm/Dealer
Puppy farms are rife across Europe. They are big business and pups are often sold using normal looking homes as a front.
This guide gives you tips on how to spot and dealer, and when to walk away.
Please don’t think you are ‘rescuing’ the puppy. You’re just making space for another one to suffer.
This link for Puppy Breeding Laws
In the UK, a breeder may need to have a license, depending on how many litters they breed, and which country they are in.
In England, for instance:
- Breeders can only sell puppies they have bred themselves, and only from the place the puppy was bred and reared.
- Puppies must be 8 weeks old before they can be sold or leave their mum.
- Puppies must be seen with their biological mum.
- Breeders must be able to show they have used a ‘socialisation and habituation’ plan, which means they’ll have been gradually and positively introduced to a range of people and different household experiences and noises so that they’ll be happy and confident in their new homes.
There are also laws on buying puppies from outside of the UK.