How do I find a reputable puppy breeder and avoid puppy farms?

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So we are looking at getting a puppy early next year, have wanted a dog for a long time but not been the right time. We are moving house to be nearer family and once settled would like to add a puppy to our family. We have 2 grown up children who are both at university and a DS aged 9.
I’ve read lots of threads on the doghouse board and everyone is always saying that most places are puppy farms disguised as responsible breeders which I really want to avoid! However I don’t know where to start looking to find a reputable breeder. Any recommendations very welcome!

What breed do you want?

Open to suggestions but been looking at spaniels, after a medium sized family dog that’s happy to go for muddy walks and play with DS. DH works from home and so will be no problem doing regular walks etc

You need to go to the shows and find reputable registered breeders who health test. But you have to be prepared to wait.

Good breeders have waiting lists not just puppies available.

Avoid homes/farms with outbuildings/stables/lots of sheds or garaging. Too many places to hide litters. When you find someone do a thorough Internet search including on social media. There are breed sibling groups for example you'll see some places coming up a lot. Trust your gut. If they don't ask you questions about you, your home and lifestyle then they dont care where the puppy goes and that reeks of puppy farm. Don't assume puppy farms are filthy and obvious. Some are beautifully kept and not obvious.

And finally, keep emotions at bay and walk away if you have even the tiniest of doubts - don't get a rescue complex. Personally I wouldn't take your child along as they'll impact on your adult decision making.

Champdogs website have reputable breeders on their website.. would probably give Pets4Homes a swerve, unless their very local and you can pay a few visits before deciding

We found ours via Kennel Club puppy listings and found someone who does some showing and occasional litters. If you're looking for a pedigree, local breed societies might be helpful.

Can you not do a rescue? They’re not all badly treated bully dogs. My friend just rescued a gorgeous spaniel cross, about a year old, whose owner had died. Mine are rescues too. They were a bit older though.

You’ll get more good advice from the doghouse section on mumsnet if you ask @mnhq to move your post there @SubOptimalViews

Pets4homes also have a reviewing system so if you use that only pick registered with reviews.

I’ve not purchased a dog on there however so not sure about calibre of breeder however within a breed I’ve worked with Champdogs was definitely not perfect either and had a certain person buying restricted dogs and then trying to bully others to un restrict them while selling them as “with papers”

If you say where in the country you are moving to, people might be able to say who to avoid. e.g. I'm in North West and know that Kelly's in Warrington is a puppy farm.

Contact the official breed club for the breed you are interested in. They might know of any planned litters coming up.

You can post in The Dog Lounge for help. People are very good at worming out the puppy farmers, back yard breeders and whatever else you want to call them.

Posters only get a hard time if it is pointed out they are looking at a puppy farm advert and they continue to defend them.

There are tens of thousands of rescues up and down the country. Please do not buy puppies and encourage the relentless breeding of dogs that people do simply for money. If you saw how many abused, abandoned, neglected dogs there are, you wouldn't even contemplate buying a puppy.

“Spaniels”? There are several different breeds of spaniels and it’s important that you read around and talk to breeders to identify which breed suits you. Go to some shows. Presumably you want show line rather than a working line.

Have you thought about a Sussex spaniel?

Go through the Kennel Club or Champ Dogs.

Champdogs and check KC registration. Reputable breeders spend time with their dogs, do their research on bloodlines and don't breed more than 4 litters. You can use AI to analyse level of in-breeding, and there should be clear health checks. Alternatively through word of mouth.

Tbh, with the Internet these days it is quite easy to research.

Wouldn't touch any of the Pets4Homes or free ads with a barge pole. However if you want anything with a poodle in it, or equivalent designer dog you are running the risk of poor breeding. Not always, but can be an issue.

Speak to people you meet in the street. If you see someone with a nice looking spaniel, ask where they got them from.

Please go to a rescue. I have a friend with a beautiful young spaniel that was literally dumped outside a rescue.

I thought I had checked reviews and picked a good breeder but I got caught out and it was a puppy farm, a shiny glossy puppy farm not sheds with hundreds of dogs as i imagined.
In hindsight I would have gone through a rescue or if you speak to a local trainer they will know who to avoid.

More than 20 healthy dogs are euthanised EACH DAY in the UK. Please consider a rescue dog instead of paying a breeder and encouraging more puppies to be bred

Easiest way to avoid a puppy farm is get a rescue! Adopt don’t shop ❤️

If you just want a lovely family dog/puppy I’d just look at your local RSPCA, dogs trust and local shelters. Nothing better than giving a dog/puppy a home that really needs one.

That's what most puppy farms are these days - not filthy kennels, but posh facilities or middle class family homes.

Lots of puppy farm dogs end up in rescues as well.

While rescues will take them in puppy farmers will keep breeding still because even selling 2 out of a litter and dumping the rest is still worth it.

Get a pedigree dog from a kennel club registered breeder. Alternatively get a puppy from a shelter

If you know the breed, then look up the breed clubs and they will have a list of breeders or register for puppies. you can find those on the KC website or google.

If it is a breed with a lot of registered litters there may be several, smaller breed pools with only have one. the bigger ones will have a breed council eg
https://www.thepoodlecouncil.co.uk/member-clubs

or individual ones like:
https://www.leonbergerclubofgb.com
http://www.theminiatureschnauzerclub.co.uk
https://www.schnauzerclub.co.uk

Good breeders probably won't breed every year, and many will have waiting lists so speak and meet sooner rather than when you are ready.