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Original poster

When is it OK to view puppies away from their home?

40 replies

PuppyAdvice · 07/10/2023 21:00

We’ve been looking for a particular breed of puppy, and some have just come up near us. The breeder says they have a shop with a pen (I assume it’s not a pet shop) and they could bring in the puppies and the parents. Can anyone tell me if this is a red flag or not?

OP posts:
Gro · 07/10/2023 21:02

I would be questioning why you can't see them in their natural environment. You know this feels a bit dodgy or you wouldn't be asking.

jlpth · 07/10/2023 21:03

I agree it sounds a bit dodgy. I mean, what reasons are there for not being able to view puppies in their home?

Fleetheart · 07/10/2023 21:05

puppies should always be at home anyway, so I think it is a red flag

StillWantingADog · 07/10/2023 21:05

jlpth · 07/10/2023 21:03

I agree it sounds a bit dodgy. I mean, what reasons are there for not being able to view puppies in their home?

Indeed. I’m guessing where they keep the dogs has puppy farm written all over it.

Lougle · 07/10/2023 21:07

They should be willing to allow viewings in their normal location with the Mum at the very least. It isn't good for the puppies to be moved.@

RosesAndHellebores · 07/10/2023 21:11

Never.

LolaSmiles · 07/10/2023 21:12

If it looks dodgy and sounds dodgy then it's probably dodgy.

Original poster
PuppyAdvice · 07/10/2023 21:15

That’s what we thought, but we’re very new to all this. We’ll ask if we can see them at home and see what they come back with.

OP posts:
Geneticsbunny · 07/10/2023 21:15

The puppies won't be old enough to have been vaccinated so they shouldn't be out and about in a shop! Definitely dodgy

ErrolTheDragon · 07/10/2023 21:17

Can anyone tell me if this is a red flag or not?

A string of red bunting.

Lossoffaith · 07/10/2023 21:18

Dodgy and damaging to the puppies and mother - should be at home in their nest.

ThePoshUns · 07/10/2023 21:26

Sounds like puppy farm to me

ErrolTheDragon · 07/10/2023 21:26

PuppyAdvice · 07/10/2023 21:15

That’s what we thought, but we’re very new to all this. We’ll ask if we can see them at home and see what they come back with.

I'd probably walk away from this seller, but if you do proceed do be very careful. The kennel club website has guides on buying pups/dogs which gives an idea not only what you should be asking a breeder but also the sorts of things they should be asking you.

ScottBakula · 07/10/2023 21:28

Yeah that sounds very dodgy, did they say why you can't go to the pups home ?
Why meet at a shop , even if they own the shop that's weird, how is a shop going to open with a puppy there.
All the customers coming and going will be stressful and I think you will feel more under pressure to say yes in a odd surrounding.

Imo you should be able so spend lots of time with the pup and mum , that will be impossible to do in a shop.

I'd walk away and look at rescue centres that specialise in the breed you are interested in.

ErrolTheDragon · 07/10/2023 21:29

It might be worth you mentioning the breed you're interested in, OP, there's a chance someone might know a reputable breeder.

TheCupboardUnderTheStairsAtTheMojoDojoCasaHouse · 07/10/2023 21:33

More red flags than a communist parade.

DiscoBeat · 07/10/2023 21:43

A string of red bunting.

Absolutely this!

JellyBeanFactory · 07/10/2023 21:44

TheCupboardUnderTheStairsAtTheMojoDojoCasaHouse · 07/10/2023 21:33

More red flags than a communist parade.

And @ErrolTheDragon "A string of red bunting"

Both of these. With red mainsails flying.

Wolfiefan · 07/10/2023 21:48

Never. If you’re after a pedigree then contact the breed club for info on breeders. Avoid shopping online.

Guiltyfeethavegotnorhythm0 · 07/10/2023 21:49

I've never had this situation , weird . Always seen pups at home with mum . Wouldn't be something I would be comfortable with and would swerve .
Look for another breeder

Newpeep · 07/10/2023 21:49

We viewed some pups like that. We didn’t know until we turned up. The mum and pups had obviously been brought to the house for viewings and sale from somewhere else. It was all too clean and the mum had zero bond with the ‘owner’ (plus she couldn’t even tell me how old ‘her’ dog was as she got it wrong according to the KC paperwork by several years!)

We obviously walked away having learnt an awful lot.

NormaLouiseBates · 07/10/2023 21:51

Almost definitely a puppy farm. Run.

Missingmyusername · 07/10/2023 21:51

@MNHQ is this likely to go the same way as the other thread? Got deleted “because no one covered themselves in glory”???

Original poster
PuppyAdvice · 07/10/2023 22:17

Missingmyusername · 07/10/2023 21:51

@MNHQ is this likely to go the same way as the other thread? Got deleted “because no one covered themselves in glory”???

Eh? Not sure what you mean. I’ve found everyone’s replies very helpful - they’ve given us lots of food for thought.

OP posts:
Original poster
PuppyAdvice · 01/12/2023 18:22

Just coming back to this thread to say we now have a lovely little dog, one year old, who has been settling in with us. We took everyone’s advice and stayed away from the dodgy puppies and instead found a local breeder with an excellent reputation who was selling one of her dogs. She’s an absolute delight and has quickly become one of the family.

OP posts:
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