Don't be dogfished! Puppy buying advice

[bunnygeek]

There's a new Dogs Trust campaign about "dogfishing" - being duped by dodgy sellers.

The website is here:
www.dogstrust.org.uk/dogfished/index
There's a campaign van going on "tour" in cities next week, go say hi if you're in the area, or send a friend if they're in the area and thinking of getting a puppy!
www.dogstrust.org.uk/dogfished/on-tour

Do you know anyone whose been conned by dodgy dog sellers?

This is good to see. Everything that raises awareness will help.
Sadly though biggest problem is buyers who either think they are 'rescuing' one of these puppies, or just don't care as long as their pup is ok.

I used to work in a vets and I'd say about 1 in 20 puppies we saw definitely wasn't the breed it was sold as (I think my favourite was a "chihuahua" which which had a rough coat (very like a grizzle border terrier) and was big as an adult chihuahua at 10 weeks old).

We saw an increasing amount of imported puppies too, which was sad; I always wondered about their mothers, and about whether their experiences would impact on their behaviour as they can't be transported on a pet passport until 4 months of age so that's a big socialisation window where you don't know where your puppy has been living or what experiences they have had.

I agree with fivedogs. Too many people just think they have a cute pup and don’t consider the welfare of the parents and the ethics of breeding.
People are selfish. They want exactly what they want. Sometimes down to colour etc. Exactly when they want it. They don’t want to wait. They won’t always travel. They don’t want to be told no.

I worked at a vets for a while as a student and I used to love when people told me the dogs breed and I’d say ‘oh lovely what’s it crossed with?’
And they would be like ‘it’s not...’

Hmm ok you guys! I’m not sure who you think you’re fooling with that jrt with the longest legs I’ve ever seen.

It always seemed to be little dogs when it happened though!

Not just little dogs @nojeansplease.... i met a gorgeous Irish setter pup at the vets the other week. His owner thought he was a golden retriever, a very dark red one with floppy ears