Getting a dog responsibly

Dogs live a long time, can be hard work and, when we commit to being responsible for them, we are bound by legislation covering their care and behaviour.

So, you want a puppy or a dog? You’ve thought it through and now you’ve decided for sure that you want a dog in your life. Take it from us, dogs are a huge source of joy and are so important in the lives of many people.

But they’re also a big responsibility and it’s only right that future dog owners are as prepared as possible before opening their doors to a new family member. Dogs live a long time, can be hard work and, when we commit to being responsible for them, we are bound by legislation covering their care and behaviour.

We’ve made a short documentary about how to get a dog responsibly. It will help you decide whether you are ready to make the life-changing decision to get a canine companion!

There is also lots of great information on The Puppy Contract website.

Explore this section

Thinking of getting a puppy?

Watch our short documentary before you think about getting a puppy. We’ll talk you through some of the risks, what to think about when you do your research, and the many benefits of getting a rescue dog.

Make sure you know your breeder

Across the UK, there are around 2,800 licensed breeders – these are breeders who have been inspected by their local authority and are legally obliged to comply with dog breeding regulations. You’re probably thinking that’s quite a small number, and you’d be right. We estimate that just one in five UK dogs are bred by breeders who are licensed. The vast majority of UK dogs and pups still come from unknown – and therefore unaccountable – sources.

We’re campaigning for much stricter oversight of the UK puppy trade, because we don’t think it’s right that so many dogs and pups are being bred, raised and sold to unknown standards. In the meantime, though, if you’re thinking about getting a puppy, these are the top five things we think you should do to protect yourself and your new best friend from unethical and potentially illegal breeders and sellers:

1

Do your research before you visit
What can you find out online? Does the breeder have a good reputation with positive reviews? Are they happy to speak on the phone and answer your questions? In short, get to know them before you even think about seeing a dog.

2

Check if they are licensed
Do this before you visit. Ask the breeder for their licence number and verify this with the council. You can use our Dog Breeding Map of the UK & Ireland to find out how to do this. If they’re in England, ask for their star rating, which is designed to help you identify breeders who are operating to higher standards. A one-star rating is the lowest and a five-star rating is the highest. Not all breeders need a licence, but if a breeder says they’re not licensed, ask why – some UK dog breeding regulations are stricter than you might think. Also, remember, just because someone is licensed does not guarantee they’re doing everything ethically, so still do your research and other checks.

3

Make sure you visit

Always make sure you see the puppy at the premises they were bred at and ensure you go inside the premises. We strongly advise against meeting in a convenient location, having your puppy delivered or collecting them from the doorstep. When you visit, you will need to have your wits about you – illegal breeders are known to use fake homes and stooge parent dogs to make themselves look like caring and responsible breeders. It can be difficult to see through this so trust your instincts and use your senses.

Questions to ask yourself include:

Does the property look lived in? Are there signs it’s actually their home?
If you ask to see other dogs they keep and their accommodation, you should expect them to agree.
Do the premises look and feel clean?
Are the dogs and puppies happy to see you and interacting with each other or do they seem scared or withdrawn?
If the breeder said they’re licensed, ask to see a copy of the licence, which should be on display.

4

Always see mum and always ask about dad
If you’re getting a puppy, it’s essential to see them with their mum. Make sure you observe how they interact with each other, too – are they interested in each other or not?

Ask the breeder lots of questions

How many litters has mum had?
Has she ever had a caesarean and if so, why?
How old is she?
What’s her health like?

Also, don’t forget about dad. Each parent dog has a significant life-long impact on the health and welfare of their puppies. It may not always be possible to meet dad, but that doesn’t mean you can’t ask about him.

Request photos, information about his health and temperament and ask for the contact details of the owner of the dad so you can follow-up with any questions you might have for them if you want to.

5

Remember the paperwork
If all goes well and you think you’ve found the perfect breeder and the perfect pup, when it comes to taking your new best friend home, make sure you get the paperwork to verify they’ve had vaccinations, a health check and that they’ve been microchipped and registered. Do not take your puppy home until they are at least eight weeks old as it’s vital they remain with mum until then.

This may seem like a lot to remember, but it’s so important to do your due diligence when choosing a puppy. There are too many unscrupulous breeders out there who just want your money – they don’t care about the welfare or wellbeing of dogs. Plus, getting a dog is a big responsibility. You are inviting a new family member into your home, so you will want to get it right.

It’s also important to remember that there are lots of dogs in shelters who need homes, and this often includes puppies. If you can choose rescue, please do so. Visit the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) website to find a reputable rescue near you.

How you can help

There are lots of ways to help with our work, from making a donation through to holding fundraising events or even getting involved as a volunteer. Below, you can explore the different ways to help us continue raising standards for animals.