What to know when buying a dog

[mumnosbest]

Tomorrow we're going for our first puppy visit. The breeder has come recommended so I'm happy with her but what do I need to look for or ask?
TIA

Come recommended from where?
Do you know what health tests the parents should have before breeding? Hip scores? Eyes? Heart? Have you seen results?
How many dogs/bitches do they have?
How many litters does each bitch have?

Would recommend the book 'How to Pick a Puppy' by Vanessa Holburn.

A friend has recommended them after buying her pup and remaining in touch for several years. They're also local and on social media. Both parents have been tested by pet genetics lab, isle of white and are all clear.
Good questions though and I'll be sure to ask tomorrow.
Thanks 😊

Thanks KindnessCruaader

I wouldn’t just go on the recommendation of a friend. Are they licensed by the council? For how many dogs?
Tests for what? What breed are they?
Being on social media doesn’t mean anything good.
I’m always suspicious because so many people are bloody dodgy and breeding litter after litter for the cash.

Christ. Have you researched the breed at all? Do you understand what kind of exercise per day is required? How much mental stimulation as a breed do they need? Have you researched puppy classes?

Puppy contract contains some good advice: puppycontract.org.uk/

The contract itself is really comprehensive so take a look at that. The breeder should provide you with the information within it, even if they don’t use a formal agreement.

theemmadilemma thanks for the concern but I'm not concerned about my research on dogs and breeds, more the buying process and what to look for in a breeder.

Thanks for the other tips. With regards to social media, it's not really used for selling but more keeping up with previous litters progress and buyers which is actually lovely to see. Yes I've checked lisences and health checks.

Thanks cheerful panda. That's useful.

Oh in that case:

Is the breeder registered with KC for papered puppies, or which ever other body for the breed. And that papers will be provided
Does the breeder fully health test, you can find lists of breed specific health tests online
Make sure you have the ability to see both parents. If you can't see the sire in person ask for videos. Check movement etc.
What contract terms does the breeder have
If they have a good kennel social profile even better
Do they do environmental/social training with the puppies before they leave the Mum
Confirm what vaccinations will be given
Confirm pup will be chipped (legal requirement)
I'd expect the breeder to provide a puppy pack along with a blanket or something with Mums smell on too, and sample food (if not weaned to raw)

Non refundable deposits are usual
Some breeders will match you to a puppy rather than allow you to choose.

So how many dogs do they have? It’s not about having licenses itself.
Keeping up with past dogs on social media? Sounds like advertising under another name. And also suggests they breed a lot.
I’m guessing it’s a poodle cross. They all seem to be at the moment!
Although I did meet a delightful poodle pup the other day!
Grooming?
Feeding advice?
If they don’t ask to homecheck you and don’t almost interview you then I would also be wary.

TBH I wouldn't bother about licences unless the breeder had 4+ breeding bitches. At that point I'd assume that they spent some of their time kennelled and I'd want to know that the kennel environment was a good one.

What does really matter to me is how a breeder is with their dogs and how the dogs are with them. If both parties are happy, relaxed and confident, that goes a long way to reassuring me that the dogs are well cared for.

Also make sure that the dam has a good temperament and interacts well with the pups.

I'd also expect a caring breeder to want to know a lot about me, my family and the life we'd provide for any puppy they sold us.

Previously a licence was only required if you had a huge number of dogs and litters and was a red flag.
I believe It is the law now for all breeders to be licensed, even if it is just one litter.
If you are selling for profit you need a licence as it understand it.

“Both parents have been tested by pet genetics lab, isle of white and are all clear.”

For what though?

You need a licence for three or more litters a year.

I'd ask about socialisation, vaccine timing and what the puppy will arrive with (food, short-term insurance, microchip papers, KC change of ownership form if applicable, toy/blanket that smells of home) and to see the draft contract. Also about how the puppies are spending their day (including when they eat) so you can be familiar to begin with and make changes to suit your household incrementally.

In talking about all those things, you should get an idea of how well the breeder knows their stuff and how they care for bitch and puppies

When we visited first, as we wanted a boy and there was only one boy left in litter. We didn’t get to meet any other puppies in the litter. We really didn’t have to ask many questions, as the breeder went over everything we could possibly want to know. In fact she asked us far more questions about our lifestyle, where we lived, did we work, have children etc., It really felt like we were being vetted, which was fine as the breeder had way more knowledge than us.

You need a licence for three or more litters a year
I’m pretty sure it’s any litter.
Unless you aren’t advertising or selling for money.

Picture is from the Kennel Club website

Three litters a year is the law, though of course it might be different in Scotland

Schedule 1 of Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals)(England) Regulations 2018

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/936830/dog-breeding-guidance.pdf

It is however possible that someone might still be deemed a breeder for the purposes of those regulations even if they had fewer litters sometimes.

The screen shot is from the part for regulations in England, not Scotland or Wales.

If you advertising eg Pets for homes and/or selling the puppies for money it is deemed a business.

Clearly, going by the pages and pages of P4H adverts, it isn’t policed, but reading through the guidance, I cannot see how anyone with a litter of puppies could escape the requirement for a licence as you’d have to not advertise your puppies anywhere; no social media, no websites, no KC find a puppy, no newspapers, no P4H and you’d have to be giving them away for free.