How and where to buy a puppy

Congratulations if you’ve decided you’re ready to add an adorable puppy to your family! The next step is to choose whether to buy or adopt and to decide where you’ll get your puppy from.

It’s one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a pet parent. There’s a lot of pressure to get it right and to be a responsible puppy parent.

But don’t worry, we’ll walk you through it. Let's start with the basics: where should you look for a puppy?

High-quality pet insurance

Nothing beats being early

As a new owner, the best thing you can do for your little bundle of joy is protect them throughout their life. We'll be with you all the way.

Protect your pet

Where can I buy a puppy? 

You should choose a reputable source when considering adding a puppy to your family. This makes sure the health and well-being of your new furry friend.

You have a few options, including: 

Registered breeders

A Kennel Club Assured Breeder is your best bet if you’re looking for a pedigree puppy.

Registered breeders must show responsible breeding practices including carrying out breed-specific health tests.

These reduce the chances of genetic issues being passed down, so there’s a better chance of getting a healthy pup. It’s also good for the future of the breed as a whole.

These puppies from registered breeders may be more expensive and you might have to join a waiting list. Generally, the pros outweigh the cons.

How to find a registered breeder

• Research breed clubs: Start by researching breed clubs or associations related to the specific breed of dog you're interested in. These organisations often maintain lists of registered breeders who adhere to their standards of responsible breeding practices.

• Attend dog shows or events: Dog shows, competitions, and breed-specific events are excellent opportunities to meet reputable breeders in person. Talk to exhibitors, breed enthusiasts, and judges to gather information about registered breeders in your area.

• Online breeder directories: Use online breeder directories or databases that specialise in listing registered breeders. Ensure that the directories you use are reputable and reliable sources of information.

• Ask for recommendations: Reach out to trusted sources such as veterinarians, groomers, or other pet parents who may have recommendations for registered breeders in your area. Personal recommendations can provide valuable insights and firsthand experiences.

Rescue centres 

Rescue centres are another great choice, especially if you’re not looking for a specific breed. They’ll also be able to help tell you which of their puppies will suit your lifestyle and family best. Read our article on things to consider when adopting a shelter pet.

Rescue centres will complete health checks and provide ongoing support. Although you’ll pay an adoption fee, this will be less than buying a pedigree puppy.

Vet Tim Kirby recommends looking for “rescue centres which are registered with the charities regulator and demonstrate good corporate governance.”

Puppies at rescue centres are usually adopted quickly, so you may have to wait. You could also consider rehoming one of their older dogs instead.

Whether you find a pedigree or crossbreed puppy, it’s no harder to find pet insurance for rescue dogs than for dogs from a breeder.

Practice caution with private sellers and selling sites

You may see puppies for sale from private sellers in either local adverts, or through selling sites.

While these do offer plenty of choices, be aware that sellers here aren’t under any obligation to provide health tests or any kind of ongoing support.

If the litter of puppies is accidental, the seller may not be aware of any inherited health conditions

Buying from a private seller can be riskier than from a registered breeder or rescue. Always make sure they can answer all the questions and provide all the paperwork we’ve outlined below.  

Questions to ask when buying a puppy

Asking the right questions is crucial. It makes sure you're doing your due diligence to see if you're buying from a responsible breeder. It also allows you to find the right pup personality for you and to see if you're comfortable bringing a new family member home.

Of course, you may not have time to ask every question we'll put below. But they should help give you a rough idea of what to say and do.

Key questions include:

• Can I meet the puppy’s parents?

• How long have you been breeding this breed?

• Can I see where the puppies are raised?

• Are the puppies socialised with people and other animals?

• What support do you offer after the sale?

You should ask questions about the breeder's environment and practices, too, like:

• How many litters do you have a year?

• What age are breeding females when they have their first litter?

• How many litters have your female dogs had in total?

• Are you a member of any breed clubs or kennel associations?

• What are your goals as a breeder, and why do you do it?

Health and vet checks

Health and vet check questions aim to make sure a puppy is safe and healthy from the get-go. Of course, you'll have your routine vet checks to start building your pet's medical history. But the more information you have early on, the better, and it'll give your vet a good start too.

Important health and vet check questions for a new puppy can include:

• Are vaccinations up to date, and when is the next dose due? (This helps your vet to plan out a vaccine schedule)

• What brand of vaccinations has the puppy got? (This can help with setting vet records)

• Has the puppy been dewormed or treated for fleas?

• Is there a health certificate or vet records already?

• What do you know about the parents and their health?

• What screening have the parents undergone? (for example, hip/elbow scores, eye tests, genetic tests)

• Has the pet been microchipped?

Puppy’s background and early life

The focus here is on your puppy and their needs. It's also a good time to ask about their socialisation experience and any struggles they individually have.

To be honest, these are questions people usually ask. First-time puppy buyer questions usually linger on the dog's personality, temperament and experiences.

Some things to ask that you may not consider include:

• What's the puppy’s diet and feeding schedule?

• Has the puppy begun toilet training?

• What kind of stimulation and training has the puppy received?

• How old is the puppy, and are they at least eight weeks old?

• Are the puppies socialised with people and other animals?

• What specific socialisation experiences has the puppy had?

• Has the puppy had any training, like basic command training?  

Breed-specific considerations

Ideally, you'll have researched the breed beforehand. Resources like our cross-breed and pedigree insurance pages can help.

Picking the right breed is a big decision. Sometimes, you'll end up with one that you didn't expect because they just felt right. But mostly, researching breed personality and preferences can help narrow things down.

Generally, you can ask:

• What are the breed’s common temperament traits?

• Are there specific health risks in this breed?

• How much exercise does this breed need?

• Is this breed suitable for families/children/other pets?

This is a good time to ask about specific personality traits, too, as breeders and shelters really get to know their dogs.

If you really aren't sure, we have a bunch of listicles on the best dog breeds for various people, from families and flat dwellers to seniors and outdoorsy types.

What questions might a breeder ask you?

Just so you know: questions are a two-way street. You can expect a breeder to ask you a load of things too, especially if they care for their pets or want them to have a specific type of home.

Responsible breeders and shelters will ask the buyer questions to make sure you're the right fit for the puppy. Some responsible puppy breeder questions can include:

• What's your living situation like?

• Do you have other pets?

• Have you owned dogs before?

• Do you have any dog training experience?

• Who will look after the puppy?

Generally, it's up to the individual breeder. But it's best to be honest here - think of it as a two-way conversation to help find you the right puppy.

Red flags to watch out for

Lucy’s Law has made it harder for puppy farms to operate in England, but sometimes it can still be difficult to know what to look out for. If you’re not sure how to spot a puppy farm, some warning signs include: 

• Asking to meet in a neutral location

• Cash-only transactions

• Lack of care, like clean puppies or a lack of socialisation  

• Lots of different breeds sold by the breeder at the same time

• Multiple, excessive online adverts from the seller

• No contract or documentation shared

• No health or genetic testing

• Not able to meet the puppy's parents, particularly the mother

• Not asking any questions about you

• Pressuring you to buy

• Selling puppies too early (before eight weeks)

• Zero or little transparency

Tim advises speaking with your local vet practice if you have any doubts or reservations about a breeder. “Listen to your gut. This is too important a decision to not complete properly.” 

Our guide on finding a responsible breeder will help.

What to look for when buying a puppy

Once you’re happy that a puppy’s breeder can answer all your questions and provide the necessary paperwork, it’s time to choose. Vet Tim Kirby offers some helpful advice on what to look out for. 

Puppy personality 

“When you have committed to buying a puppy, it’s important to visit the breeder at least once and get to know the litter of puppies, and also the mother and father,” he says.

“This will be a good opportunity for you to get to know the personality of each puppy and decide which one you’re going to choose.

“A healthy puppy will be inquisitive and want to explore their surroundings. They should be keen to come forward and sniff you.

“It’s equally important to see that the puppy interacts naturally with their mother and that a clear bond exists between the two,” says Tim.  

Quick health checks 

Tim also advises that “a general look at a puppy’s coat, overall size, and cleanliness will be a good indicator of general well-being.”

If you’re wondering whether you should buy a puppy with an umbilical hernia or other health condition, the answer is really that it depends. It may be a good idea to speak to a vet before committing yourself.

Tim says that “should any issues be detected such as hernias, congenital defects, or developmental disorders, your vet will gladly assist you and advise the best course of action.” 

While many of these conditions can be treated, you may find yourself looking at some vet bills very early on. Can you afford any ongoing bills? You’ll also probably find that when you take out puppy insurance it won’t cover pre-existing conditions that were diagnosed before the puppy was insured.

Our Standard Care Pre-existing plan can cover recent conditions.

Start my quote

Rescue centres and registered breeders will often carry out more extensive health checks than private sellers in addition to offering extra support and advice. 

What paperwork should I see when buying a puppy?

It’s easy to get caught up in the emotion of buying a new puppy, but don’t forget the paperwork. Here’s what you need. 

Essential paperwork:

• Microchip certificate 

• Certificate of health from a vet

• Vaccination and worming paperwork

• Contract of sale

Optional paperwork:

• Breed paperwork (pedigree puppies will be registered with The Kennel Club. Mixed breed dogs may also be registered with a breed association)

• Kennel Club health certificates

• Insurance details. Breeders and rescues sometimes offer a month’s free puppy insurance

• Puppy pack containing feeding advice, training information and anything else the breeder deems relevant

Before signing any contract, examine all the paperwork and make sure that everything matches the official microchip and health documents.

How to report a puppy farm

If you’re worried you may be dealing with a puppy farm, speak to the Trading Standards department of the local authority responsible for the area.

If you’re concerned about the welfare of the puppies and parent dogs, contact the RSPCA to make a report.     

Bringing your new puppy home 

Once you’ve done your due diligence you can look forward to the day you get to collect your new puppy. Before then, use our new puppy checklist and shopping list to make sure you’re prepared for their arrival.

Give some thought to how you'll introduce your puppy to your family, and make sure you've made your home safe for children, dogs and other pets.

The first day with your new puppy can be exciting and overwhelming all at the same time. But before you know it, you won’t be able to imagine life without your new sidekick. Welcome to pet parenthood!

Top-quality dog insurance

We've got your dog's back.

Nose-to-tail dog insurance for accidents and illnesses at competitive prices with no hidden fees.

Protect your pet