Home How You Can Help Campaigns & Issues Pedigree Dogs Choosing a puppy

Choosing a puppy

 

If you're looking for a new dog, check your local RSPCA or other animal rescue group first. There are many wonderful puppies and dogs out there looking for new homes. But if you can't find the right dog for you, or have your heart set on a specific breed, you'll need to find a good breeder.

Here's how to go about it

Follow our Smart Puppy Buyer's Guide [PDF] and you'll be on the right track to taking home a healthy, well-adjusted puppy and helping to prevent the sale of puppies from puppy farms or irresponsible breeders.

Do

  1. Make sure you are familiar with the huge responsibilities involved in owning a puppy and think about the type of dog that would best suit your lifestyle.
  2. Consider adopting from the RSPCA or another reputable rescue organisation first.
  3. Check out our Smart Puppy Buyer's Guide [PDF] - this guide applies to buying any type of dog whether it's a pedigree purebred, crossbred or mixed breed dog.
  4. Visit the place where your puppy was born and bred and ask questions about its background.

Don't

  1. Buy a puppy over the internet, newspaper advertisement or from a pet shop without first being able to visit the breeding facility to see the conditions for yourself.
  2. Buy a puppy without first meeting the breeder and visiting its place of birth.
  3. Impulse buy - owning a dog is a huge responsibility and should be the result of careful planning and consideration.
  4. Discriminate against crossbreeds or mixed breed dogs - they also make great pets and can be bred responsibly.
Share |