By We're a nation of dog lovers, but sadly many of us are still inadvertently buying puppies from puppy farms on impulse, according to new research by the Kennel Club.
As part of Puppy Awareness Week (26th August-1st September), 2,256 dog owners across the UK were quizzed by the British governing body for dogs. And the survey results were shocking.
The Kennel Club found nearly one in five puppy buyers think they may have bought from a puppy farm, with one in three were unable to spot if they were buying from a rogue breeder.
Those buying on impulse were the most likely to fall foul to rogue breeders, with a third of those surveyed ending up with a puppy farm pup. This is usually due to a lack of research or not knowing what to look for.
Perhaps the most shocking stat was this: 35 percent of new puppy owners pay for the pup online before they even meet their potential new pet.
"There are lots of fantastic, passionate dog breeders out there who want to produce happy healthy puppies, however, there are also other individuals who put profit before health and welfare, keeping their dogs in poor conditions and producing puppies that are unhealthy and may eventually require expensive veterinary treatment," the Kennel Club says.
"All puppies are cute and unless the puppy itself is unclean, or has a visible health condition, there is no way of telling from just the look of the dog in what conditions it has been bred, or what it will be like when it grows up. Before you hand over any money, ensure that you are convinced that you a dealing with a responsible breeder."
Here, the six questions you should always ask when buying a puppy to ensure you're buying from a reputable breeder, according to the Kennel Club.
'Can I visit the puppy at home?'
"Always see the puppy in its home environment, including where it sleeps, and is fed and bred."
'Where is the puppy's mother?'
"Always see the pup interacting with the mum and make sure the mum seems interested."
'Can I see the puppy's paperwork?'
"Ask for paperwork, including health test results for the parents, vaccination records and a puppy contract."
'When do you expect payment for the puppy?'
"Never pay for a puppy before you have seen it, and be wary of a breeder who wants you to take it home on your first visit."
'What would you like to ask me?'
"Expect to be asked lots of questions about your suitability for pet ownership. It shows the breeder cares."
'Are you a member of the Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme?'
The Kennel Club strongly advises puppy buyers to go to a member of the Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme. Assured Breeders all agree to follow good breeding practices and are inspected by the Kennel Club. Find out more here.
Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.
We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
6 fun dog toys every pup will love
