Spotting a Puppy Farm

Many people inadvertently buy dogs from unscrupulous breeders because they’re not sure what to look out for.

Before buying a puppy, look out for these warning signs:

🚩 Ad is Missing Information

Under Irish regulations, puppy/dog adverts must include key information.

• Microchip details (of every puppy advertised)
• The puppy’s or dog’s age and date of birth
• The country the dog or puppy was born in
• The seller’s DBE registration (> 5 female dogs capable of breeding) or seller number (selling/giving away > 6 pets in a calendar year)

If any of the above is missing, please do not engage with the seller.

🚩 You’re Asked to Meet Somewhere Unusual

Responsible breeders will allow you to visit the place where the puppies were raised.

Be cautious if the seller:

• Asks to meet in a car park
• Offers to deliver the puppy to your home
• Suggests meeting halfway somewhere

This may be an attempt to hide where the puppy was bred.

🚩 You Cannot See the Puppy With Their Mother

A puppy should always be seen with its mother and littermates in the environment where they were raised.

If the seller says any of the following, no matter how difficult, please walk away:

• The mother is ‘at the vet’
• The mother ‘belongs to someone else’
• The puppy was ‘bred elsewhere’

🚩 The Seller Has Lots of Puppies Available

Responsible breeders usually have one litter at a time and focus on careful socialisation.

Be wary if a seller:

• Has several litters available
• Advertises many breeds at once
• Always seems to have puppies ready to go

🚩 You Feel Pressured to Decide Quickly

Buying a puppy should never feel rushed.

Warning signs include:

• ‘There’s another buyer coming later today’
• ‘You need to leave a deposit immediately’
• ‘The puppy must go today’

Good breeders want the right home, not the fastest sale.

🚩 Paperwork is Missing or Incomplete

A supplier/seller should provide:

• Microchip certificate (legal requirement)
• Proof of vaccination and history of veterinary examination (including flea/worm treatment)
• Veterinary history of both parents

Good breeders are proud of the dogs they produce so a reluctance to share veterinary history is a huge red flag! Do not accept ‘I’ll post it to you.’

If something feels wrong please, please walk away. It will be tough if you have already laid eyes on the puppy but not as tough as taking home a sick or poorly bred puppy who may have lifelong veterinary or behaviour issues.

Choosing not to buy a puppy in these circumstances helps protect dogs from poor breeding conditions.