A good breeder health-tests the parents, asks you lots of questions and stays available for the dog's whole life.
The breeder health-tests the parents for the problems known in the breed, registers the litter with a kennel club, lets you meet the mother and see where the puppies grow up, and answers questions openly. A good breeder also asks about your home and your life, and may say no if the breed does not fit.
Several breeds or litters always available, puppies sent home before they are eight weeks old, no chance to see the mother, pressure to pay quickly or a handover in a car park are red flags. So is a puppy sold without a vaccination record, a microchip or a contract.
Expect a written contract, the registration certificate or how it will be transferred, the parents' health test results, a record of vaccinations and deworming, the microchip details and feeding advice. Ask whether the breeder will take the dog back or help rehome it if your life changes.
Correct answer: Health-tests the parents and lets you meet the mother
Health tests, meeting the mother and open answers are good signs.
Correct answer: The handover is in a car park, with no chance to see the mother
Not being able to see where the puppies grew up, or the mother, is a classic warning sign.
Correct answer: About eight weeks
Puppies need their mother and littermates until at least about eight weeks.
Correct answer: A contract, vaccination record, microchip details and feeding advice
Papers, health records and advice show that the breeder takes responsibility.
The full article library — and much more — lives in the DogCompanion app.
Download on the App Store