Avoid these red flags when purchasing a puppy from a breeder

Here are some red flags I’d avoid when purchasing a puppy from a breeder 👇🏻

1. Not allowing owners to visit the property - esp once pups have started vaccinations. I want to be able to see where pups are being reared and know they’re from a clean, well socialised environment. Insisting on meeting you at the end of the driveway or in town etc is a massive red flag & makes me ask what they are hiding.

2. Not allowing owners to meet mum (and dad if he is on site). If the parents or extended family dogs are not the kind of dog that you can meet as a prospective puppy buyer, that’s a good sign that the puppies are likely to be unsuitable as the easy pet dog most of my clients are wanting.

3. Pressuring buyers to rush into decisions on the spot. Adding a puppy to your home is a 13+ year commitment in the ideal world. We don’t want puppy buyers making rushed or impulsive decisions and pups ending up in a home that hasn’t fully thought things through.

4. Encouraging pet owners to take 2 or more puppies home. Littermate syndrome (the widely accepted term for pups of similar age becoming hyper-bonded with each other and the associated behavioural challenges that often occur as a result) is very real, especially in pet homes who may not have the experience or time to appropriately raise two independent pups at the same time. Good breeders don’t encourage it.

5. Lack of health testing in the parents. Parents being “vet checked” is not the same as hip and elbow scores, genetic testing etc to ensure pairings are bettering the breed & reducing likelihood of heartbreak from preventable genetic issues in puppies. A vet check alone is not enough if you are paying for a puppy from someone breeding to sell.

6. Lack of home checks to make sure it’s a good match. If the extent of your conversation with your breeder consists of how much they cost and the logistics of getting a puppy up to you, they’re not doing their homework. Especially when dealing with working breeds. Breeders who care about their puppies succeeding in homes will ask questions about your lifestyle to make sure it’ll be a good fit. They’ll also be willing to take pups back/help rehome if needed.