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Original poster

Buying a puppy and avoiding puppy farms

66 replies

bloddingalong · 21/10/2020 14:52

Can anyone help?

It seems to be a bit of a minefield given the line between reputable breeders and puppy farms seems to be even more blurred than it was way back when.

This is a family pet not a Crufts show champion. Plus I’m conscious of ethical problems even there.

So where would you point someone to for buying a puppy - any advice appreciated!

OP posts:
Dullardmullard · 21/10/2020 15:06

Kennel club

Champ dogs

For starters

Dullardmullard · 21/10/2020 15:12

Doesn’t matter If it’s a pet they are all pets even cruft show winners.

Also don’t look at adverts that say rare colours they are not they are miss marks and are call colour not recognise on the data base for the KC And shouldn’t have an inflated price tag. Think Frenchies here.

Be also aware of inflated prices too.

Original poster
bloddingalong · 21/10/2020 15:15

But where do we actually find these adverts? That’s my question, really.

I’ve looked on the kennel club website and there is one litter of puppies in the breed we want but no other information. No website - just a mobile phone no. So (genuine question) how do I know this is a reputable breeder?

OP posts:

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Dogs
Faynite · 21/10/2020 15:21

There are some tips on the KC website. One point to check is that both mother and father have all the relevant health checks for the breed, you can find out what those are on the KC website. Health checks aren’t cheap and point to a more responsible breeder.

www.thekennelclub.org.uk/about-us/campaigns/be-puppywise/

longtompot · 21/10/2020 15:23

This is where I found the breeder of my dog. Her mum is a family dog, only bred twice, they wanted a pup of hers, and then she was spayed. Word of mouth is good. If you are on Facebook then you could join a breed specific group (if you are after a specific breed) and ask there. There are usually long waiting lists for pups from good breeders.

www.champdogs.co.uk/?classic_site=1

Original poster
bloddingalong · 21/10/2020 15:25

I’ve had a look on Champdogs - no litters at the moment for the breed.

Thanks fay

OP posts:
Whitney168 · 21/10/2020 15:31

It is unfortunately a minefield buying pups these days, and never more than currently. The world has wanted lockdown puppies, and there are few and far litters around, most advertisers are inundated as soon as adverts go public, and pups are soon sold. Puppy farmers are rubbing their hands in glee, and churning pups out as fast as possible and charging ridiculous prices for them.

If you are really determined to buy now - and personally, I wouldn't, unless I already had a relationship with a breeder - then Champdogs is probably as decent an advertising site as available really. They insist on a reasonable level of health testing, and are very quick to remove breeders where there is any issue.

The Kennel Club site is a bit of a wild card really - 'volume breeders' can advertise for free (I believe, they certainly could when the ABS scheme was introduced), but this does not in any way mean they are good breeders. Nor does the ABS title mean the breeder is good, by the way.

Original poster
bloddingalong · 21/10/2020 15:32

It doesn’t have to be right this second, on the other hand we don’t still want to be waiting three years down the line! Smile

OP posts:
orangefuzz · 21/10/2020 15:33

Please consider adopting a dog / puppy

Original poster
bloddingalong · 21/10/2020 15:33

It’s not suitable for us orange. We have cats and children. I’m sorry, I know that’s not the MN approved answer but we’d be in our dotage if we waited for a rescue dog.

OP posts:
CuriousaboutSamphire · 21/10/2020 15:36

You might find Facebook pages dedicated to rehoming your chosen breed. Since getting my dog I have found a lot of them, it's pretty easy to recognise the good ones.

They are jam packed with all sorts of good ideas and will be available to you for any issues you may encounter.

Whitney168 · 21/10/2020 15:36

I would suggest you look at breeders on Champdogs for your chosen breed, select one that has the type of dogs you like if the breed has much variation (working/show Cockers or Labradors, for example) and contact them with a view to joining a waiting list for future litters.

Hopefully by next year the prices might have become a bit more sensible, or if you convince a breeder that you are a sensible family home you may find that they are more inclined to use the more normal price range.

Obviously a puppy should be an investment that requires some thought, but I couldn't bring myself to pay thousands to a breeder for a breed that would have been half the price this time last year.

Original poster
bloddingalong · 21/10/2020 15:37

Thanks, unfortunately there aren’t any of the breed we want currently on Champdogs Sad I guess we can only sign up and be put on a waiting list.

OP posts:
Hawse · 21/10/2020 15:38

You can register your interest in a breed on Champdogs, and they alert you every time a litter becomes available. You might find one quicker that way. Second, have you reached out to your local association for that breed and explained your situation? A while ago we considered a very rare breed that doesnt have many litters registered, spoke with the club in our area, and within a few weeks, we were passed along to a breeder who was expecting to have puppies. So that's worth a go. Last tip is that often the Kennel Club do 'meet the dogs' days (such as at Crufts or in London) - well this was pre covid - but a great way to meet breeders and learn all about the breeds.

Original poster
bloddingalong · 21/10/2020 15:39

Thanks! I think this is what I felt a bit intimidated by - the idea of going to a huge dogs show when all we want is a pet seemed a bit crazy! Smile

OP posts:
Sallyshouse · 21/10/2020 15:41

@bloddingalong

It’s not suitable for us orange. We have cats and children. I’m sorry, I know that’s not the MN approved answer but we’d be in our dotage if we waited for a rescue dog.
I work for a rescue company and the wait time for a puppy is less than two months.
Sallyshouse · 21/10/2020 15:42

and we regularly give puppies to people with dogs, cats, babies, and those who have never owned. We interview and just care about the dog having somewhere.

DarcyProudman · 21/10/2020 15:42

Breeders with waiting lists are usually a good sign. Unless it’s for a cockerpoo, because then for some reason, people will pay mega bucks for a Heinz 57 and there are waiting lists...

Ylvamoon · 21/10/2020 15:42

You can try Pets4homes, as some breeders advertise there.

But you need to be super vigilant and be prepared to walk away if things don't feel right.

Peaseblossom22 · 21/10/2020 15:42

We searched KC listed breeders and champ dogs but also a website a bit like mumsnet devoted to the breed . I stalked the forums looking to see where people got their dogs . I also approached owners of the breed to ask about breeders.

I then called breeders and effectively interviewed them , I had a list of questions and they interviewed me back . I found good breeders were very happy to discuss the nuances of the breed etc etc . I visited the breeder of our current dog and one other. We then went on a waiting list . I have recently recommended our breeder to someone who reported back that the waiting list is about a year long for a puppy.

I would say it was about 20 months between starting the process and our puppy coming home. He has been a fabulous and much loved family pet and our breeder was very supportive , even answering an email from our upset 11 year old because the puppy was crying at night And reassuring if him .

Whitney168 · 21/10/2020 15:43

@bloddingalong

Thanks, unfortunately there aren’t any of the breed we want currently on Champdogs Sad I guess we can only sign up and be put on a waiting list.
There will be breeders of your breed, just no litters. Click on that link on left hand menu, then have a view of them.
Original poster
bloddingalong · 21/10/2020 15:45

@Sallyshouse

and we regularly give puppies to people with dogs, cats, babies, and those who have never owned. We interview and just care about the dog having somewhere.
I’m glad you do but it still isn’t for us at this time - thanks, though.

Thanks whitney will have another look.

OP posts:
Itscoldouthere · 21/10/2020 15:45

I'd agree with PP who said look on F/B pages for your prefered breed.
My very beloved dog is a x so not KC registered, but he is a popular breed and there are several FB pages and many of his type have Instagram accounts as well.
The good FB pages don't allow selling of pups, but they allow you to connect with others to find out where they got them from. My type of dog does come up in rescues so they are shown on the FB pages.
If I were wanting to get the same type of dog again I now know reputable people to contact.

DarcyProudman · 21/10/2020 15:46

Please don’t try Pets 4 Homes. The puppy farmers and back yard breeders are all over that site.

Original poster
bloddingalong · 21/10/2020 15:48

I hate sounding overly fussy but having looked at the breeders list there are some red flags.

One says ‘welcome to our family of labradors’ - it’s not a Labrador. Doesn’t this suggest lots of different breeds (puppy farm)?

A couple have really poor SPAG, again I realise that you don’t need a degree in English to breed dogs but it does trouble me.

There are still others with lots of different breeds there.

OP posts:
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