Did I buy a puppy farm pup?

[Caross]

Hi all. I am a bit concerned that I might of bought a puppy farm pup!!
I responded to an add for a specific breed of pup that I have been looking for, they are also really hard to get, very popular breed.
I thought all seemed well as I got sent a photo of mum and the testing results from the dad. Then I got videos and photos of my pup whenever I asked, in one or two videos I seen the rest of the litter. Although, the breeder allowed him to be picked up at 7 weeks 3 days old, which was unexpected.
We had to use a pet transportation service due to the current restrictions on travel so we weren’t able to pick him up. The breeder would of been allowed to bring him to us but said she wouldn’t so we had no choice but to hire someone to do it. Turns out that all the other pups had gone home a day or two before ours and he was the last one there.
Someone else contacted me on Instagram asking who I got my pup from. I gave them the information, they came back and said they decided not to go any further with our breeder as there was another litter due in 5 weeks and they suspected it could be a puppy farm.
I feel really foolish. I was under the impression that our pup was born from her family pet. I had no idea she had another dog, (or potentially the same poor dog) who is expecting another litter.
Another reason I thought it seemed really safe was that she has a very public dog walking and boarding business.
Does this sound suspicious to anyone else or could there be a innocent explanation?

The current KC and government guidelines are saying that during lockdown, phone/video evidence should be provided and then the breeder drops off or pet courier.

Earlier than 8weeks is technically against the licensing conditions but a few days isn’t going to ruin the puppy.

Do you have the dates of his vaccinations and worming? You should show that to your vets at the vet check.

Just saw your earlier question- Microchips should technically be registered to the breeder but many don’t as it saves you paying to change the details over.

Caross are you sure the puppy had had its first injection? No vet would do it before 8 weeks.

With so much advice available on line about buying puppies it is really stupid not to read it before you buy!

Also why buy such a sought after dog. That would alert me to the possibility of unethical practices because buyers like you are besotted and they know you will buy anything. So why buy a popular “designer” dog? So many less popular dogs are wonderful. And they have responsible breeders!

Vaccinations can be given from 6weeks of age.

And @BubblesBuddy your argument is flawed. If everyone went for the less popular dogs, they would then become popular.
The OP is entitled to buy whichever dog breed she wishes, whether it’s pedigree, cross breed or a mongrel.

So the microchip WAS registered to the breeder, then the day before the pup came home, she emailed me a link and information to change the info into my details.
I do have a vaccination card. Initially I thought the vet who filled out the card had accidentally put the wrong month on it... the date on the card is in Jan, pup was born in March. Followed this up with the breeder and she said all info is right except the month and that the vaccination was done in April at 7 weeks. So must of been done a couple of days before he came home.
I was aware of the restriction with picking him up. It’s a 2 hour drive to the breeder and we are following lockdown rules. I asked her about dropping him off as she could class it as travelling for work but she said she doesn’t like driving motorways. So I paid a pet courier to do the pick up.

OP these are the conditions your breeder will have had to adhere to, the bits in blue are optional but will give them a higher rating.
As you can see it is quite comprehensive.
You should be able to see which star rating (1-5) your breeder has, bare in mind breeders in their first year of business can’t get 5*.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/880217/dog-breeding-guidance.pdf

Thank you so much @lochjessmonster
Appreciate all the info and advice

Also, you are going to get people come on and say licensed breeders should be avoided as they are only doing it for the money not for the love of their breed etc but please ignore them! They are not the same as puppy farm or backyard breeders.

At least with licensed breeders you can be certain they are meeting the welfare standards and have regular inspections.

Sounds like your breeder is fine and your puppy is too. It’s good that you are so concerned.

How is pup settling in?

The problem with designer dogs is currently they tend to be breeds with exaggerated facial features like French Bulldogs and Pugs who are at risk of breathing issues if bred unscrupulously. The demand outstrips the number of kennel club registered breeders allowing for puppy farms to fill the gap.

Designer dogs are crossbreeds, ‘designed’ to meet the demand for cute, usually low shedding dogs

But yes the demand for certain breeds does mean that people will irresponsibly breed them for quick easy money and not bother with health checks etc.

However that’s not the OPs fault. She can have whatever breed she wants as long as she gets it from a licensed, reputable, responsible breeder

My argument is not flawed. There are huge numbers of less popular dogs. More than enough to replace the popular designer dogs who are not many breeds overall. It just takes a bit of time to widen out demand and breeders to supply puppies. There are way more endangered breeds than “designer” breeds.

@lochjessmonster
I was expecting some negative comments, I knew I was opening myself up for it but I wanted to get more info. There were only indications of things being wrong after I got him, and at that, I was hoping the issues could be explained. You’ve put my mind at ease.

He is settling in perfectly. We have two small kids and they adore him. He has his safe space to go and the kids have theirs too incase anyone is getting too excited!
He seems to of already been partially toilet trained because there’s been very few accidents in the 11 days we have had him home, so I suppose that indicates he has had plenty space and maybe some outdoor time when he was with his litter.

He has been an absolute joy so far and a perfect addition to the family. My daughter starts school this year and keeps talking about how she wants him to walk her there on her first day and be there to pick her up after. I really hope it’s not a rainy day that day haha.

Ah how lovely! Sounds like a perfect fit.
I understand if you want to keep anonymous but feel free to PM me a cute puppy pic

(But we will see you back here in 6months when he hits doggy adolescence and you think your life is falling apart)

Come on @Caross you know the rules...no puppy thread without a photo. We need a photo of this cute wee chap! I'm glad he's settling in so well! Be prepared for him to rebel a bit as he gets a bit braver & settled!

🐶😊

Someone was talking about a beagle/poodle the other day, seemed like an odd mix to me, but when I googled, 😍they're variable (of course!) but absolutely gorgeous!

What breed of dog is it?

Haha sorry! Here he is. Can you guess his breed??

I am hopeless guessing dog breeds. He has some poodle in him doesn't he?

@MerryInthechelseahotel yes. Cavapoo. I have been warned I may be in for a verbal attack for choosing a poodle mix! braces self

😍😍

Caross he is gorgeous 🥰

I’m sure somebody will be along to give you grief about buying a poodle cross breed soon.

I have 2 Cockapoo’s. They are brilliant dogs. They have a fantastic temperament, very intelligent, easy to train and very cute. I wouldn’t be without them. They are definitely not from a puppy farm.

There are many puppy farms. They sell all breeds, not just cross breeds. Not all breeders are puppy farmers.

Ideally you should have seen pup with his mum and litter mates and see where he was raised. However, we are not living in normal times at the moment.

“Initially I thought the vet who filled out the card had accidentally put the wrong month on it... the date on the card is in Jan, pup was born in March. Followed this up with the breeder and she said all info is right except the month and that the vaccination was done in April at 7 weeks.”

Eh?....

The vaccination card is from before he was born?...

Why did you take the dog so young? Why did you not refuse until 8 weeks? You're as neglectful on that count as the breeder I'm afraid. You should of insisted your pup got the time with its mum it needed.

And a dodgy vaccination card? It might be a good idea to call the vet tomorrow and ask if they vaccinated a litter of cavapoos a few days a go at 7 weeks old. That would be a clear indication about the situation.

That vaccination card sounds dodgy I'm afraid. I would call the vet first thing Monday. Vets don't 'make mistakes' on vaccination car SD because vaccinations have to be carried out at set intervals. They are very careful about getting them right IME

As long as people like you buy dogs, there will be dodgy breeders with all the cruelty they cause. Yes, I am being harsh. Zero time for people who encourage this trade.