My dad's beloved greyhound died earlier this year aged 13, she had cancer and we had to have her put to sleep. He was heartbroken but is starting to feel ready to get a new dog, he lives alone in rural France (surrounded by fields, idyllic for dogs), and is very active (chops wood and manages his land), but really misses his dog's company. Problem is that we are not sure how to go about buying a puppy, having got our last dog from exchange and mart! He definitely wants a pup rather than an older rescue dog, and loved his greyhound and her ways so much that he is sure he wants a grey, whippet or a lurched. Of course we want to avoid puppy farms, but it's proved hard to work out what the 'done thing' is these days when buying a pup. Are ads on places like gumtree likely to be from puppy farmers, even if pics suggest they are living in a private, comfortable home? And, does anyone know of a reliable breeder in the London area/southeast? He is planning to buy a pup in the spring and stay here in London with us until pup is old enough to have rabies shots/get pup passport (we have a big garden), and travel back to France with him. Any suggestions very gratefully received.