Where to buy a puppy responsibly?

[GervaseFen]

Could anyone advise on the best way to buy a puppy responsibly? We had our dog from a puppy but it was easy as we got her from a friend of a friend (14 years ago). This time we don't know of anyone whose dog it likely to have puppies and don't really know where to look. We are thinking puppy rather than rescue in the hope we can get more reassurance that way about temperament (yoynd DC) and health.

Either a)puppy from a rescue centre (they do sometimes have puppies) or
B) breeder from kennel club website. They usually have a waiting list though.

Thanks Super. So, would a family who have bred from a dog usually advertise through KC? I wasn't sure if that was more for people who want to go into showing etc.

www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breeding/assured-breeder-scheme/#:~:text=UKAS%20accreditation,government's%20sole%20national%20accreditation%20body.

They might breed a litter and pick one to show, but generally most puppies are sold.

I would say the same as above. Rescues do get puppies and many will be inundated with them now due to vets not nuetering during lockdown. I got a puppy from a rescue 4 weeks ago. He is now 7 months old so he's not a young puppy but still a puppy.
Other than that the Kennel club site has recommended breeders on.

Breed clubs, kennel club website and champ dogs are the sites most recommended on here, aside from rescue of course.

No a family who have bred from their pet are not likely to advertise in these places, esp if it's not a pedigree, if that's what you are hoping for? Then again MN hate 'backyard breeders' so you will never be advised to buy in those circumstances anyway. TBH I can see why people say this although in typical MN fashion sometimes it can be a bit OTT - search old posts on the doghouse board to see what I mean. Yes sometimes the best (and certainly the traditional) way to get a lovely family pet is to simply breed 2 nice ordinary family pet dogs together but enthusiastic amateurs can easily get it wrong, they may not health test the parents, they may not know how to socialise the pups properly, they may mix breeds irresponsibly etc etc. Plus puppy farmers who are purely it in to make a quick buck have gotten very good at masquerading as amateur family 'just one litter'/'accidental' litter breeders (they may even go to the lengths of borrowing a house and 'stunt bitch' to act as the mother/family for when you go to view the pups while the real mums live in horrible conditions in dark/dirty sheds churning out litter after litter) so you need to be so so careful not to be hoodwinked and end up with a sickly, un-socialised pup and inadvertently contributing to the breeding of more of the same. In these days where every mutt can be marketed as a 'poo/oodle/ug' designer cross and can make ££££, it's really hard to find a nice ordinary mongrel pup from a loving family, so if you can't rescue then you may be best off going for a pedigree breeder, where at least you can be assured you are not being spun a line, proper health testing has been done and the dogs are at least being bred for a purpose other than making money - often actually a pedigree doesn't cost more than a fashionable 'poo' on gumtree/pets4homes and the like?

That's really helpful, thank you.
I had been looking at rescue centres nearby and they have no young dogs (under 12 months) though I suppose that might change as they reopen. I suppose a risk there is that the dogs are more likely to have come from a disreputable breeder because a good breeder would take the puppy back?

I never had luck with rescue centres. Most of them have a long list of requirements not many can fulfil (e.g. no children, no other animals, can’t work, etc.). So have always gone to breeders.

If you go to a breeder, choose one who invests in health tests for his/her dogs, and who loves dogs enough to take them back if something happens. Good breeders HAVE WAITING LISTS. I have been on a waiting list for nearly a year, and we will be taking home our pup in a few weeks time.

Sometimes rescue puppies don’t make it onto any websites. They are snapped up!
Do you have a certain sort of dog in mind OP? If pedigree then contact the breed club.
Also re temperament etc a rescue that fosters dogs may be an option. Eg black retriever x. That sort of set up means they can evaluate the dog properly and figure out if it’s a good fit.
Good luck.

@GervaseFen
Many rescues do have puppies they don't always advertise as people overlook other older dogs. I was not looking for a puppy I wanted a dog that would fit in with me and my other pets so was offered a puppy. A lot of recue websites don't update as they get that many dogs through. I suspect now as people are going back to work lots more older puppies will end up in rescues. It's worth contacting them. It's surprising how many dogs end up in rescues due to stupid people who get dogs on whim then get rid of them when their bored.

Interesting thanks! I volunteered at a rescue as a student and that was a great way of getting to know an animal's character - maybe I should look at helping out again when things reopen. For those who say rescues do get puppies but don't advertise - do you just let them know you're interested? There aren't going to be any walk ons for a while I guess.
I have followed a beagle rescue for a while as its a breed I know and would be confident understanding. I'd be very wary of taking on an older dog from a different breed as I don't quite know what I'm looking for and have to think about DC.
In terms of breeds, I'm currently reading around about working cocker or miniature poodle plus crossbreeds like sprocker and labradoodle.

GeraseFen

Visit Discover Dogs when it’s on again (if it's ever on again after COVID). Many breeders take names down at the event for their puppy list. We were asked whether we wanted to go onto one of the lists by a breeder, but we decided on a different breed (Working Cocker) and are bringing our pup home soon. However, we were on a waiting list for nearly a year, so do be prepared to wait a while.

Thanks I'll look that up. We don't mind waiting a year, there's no great rush.

If it’s on then Discover dogs is a great chance to get up close to breeds you may be interested in.