What the law says (England)
- Lucy’s Law: since April 2020, puppies under 6 months can’t be sold by pet shops or dealers. You must buy direct from the breeder, or adopt from a rescue.
- Microchips: puppies must be microchipped and registered by 8 weeks old. You then update the details to you.
- Licences: anyone breeding 3 or more litters a year, or breeding as a business, needs a council licence and must show the number in their adverts.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have similar rules.
How to visit a breeder
- Visit at least twice, once before you pay anything.
- See the puppies at home, with their mum, in a clean place where they clearly live.
- Ask to see health test certificates for both parents. For poodle crosses, ask about eyes, hips and, for cavalier crosses, hearts.
- Pay by card or a traceable method, and never before you’ve met the puppy.
- Walk away if something feels wrong. Buying a puppy to ‘rescue’ it keeps bad breeders in business.
Found a good one?
Have insurance ready to start the day you collect your puppy, so nothing that shows up early is left out.
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Questions
Where can I find a good breeder?
The Kennel Club’s Assured Breeder list is a starting point for pedigree dogs. For crossbreeds, ask your vet and local trainers, and use the checklist above on every breeder.
Is a deposit normal?
Many good breeders take a small deposit, but only after you’ve visited and they’ve agreed to sell to you. A request for money before you’ve seen the puppy is a red flag.