Questions to ask when buying a puppy

So, you've decided to buy a puppy, which is up there as one of the best feelings ever. We're excited for you!

Getting a puppy, especially if they're your first one, is a lot of new responsibility. But it's a good kind of responsibility, and we promise your life as a pet parent will be full of laughs.

But that responsibility doesn't start when the puppy comes home; it starts before that. It starts with you knowing what to ask before getting a dog.

Knowing the right questions to ask when purchasing a puppy means you'll bring home one that instantly feels like a part of the family, plus it gives you a chance to see if the breeder is operating responsibly.

Here, we'll cover the essential questions to ask when buying or purchasing a puppy, so you and your new family member can take the best paw forward.

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Questions to ask a dog breeder

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, 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.

Paperwork questions

Sometimes, the things to ask when buying a puppy are all about paperwork. It's boring, but it's important, and future you (and your future pup) will thank you for it.

Without paperwork, you risk buying from an irresponsible breeder or may lack essential documents down the line. Questions to ask to make sure everything is legally in order include:

• Will I receive registration papers (if applicable)?

• Do you offer a contract or return policy?

• Are you licensed?

• Will I get a receipt and ownership transfer documentation?

• Can I see the pedigree papers for both parents (if applicable)?

• What exactly does your health guarantee cover, and for how long?

• What is the process if the puppy becomes unwell after I take them home?

• Do you provide a formal written contract?

• Is there a contract of sale?

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

• 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

Our guide on finding a responsible breeder will help, as well as our guide on how and where to buy a puppy. 

Why insurance should be your new puppy's first step

After you've brought your puppy home, good puppy insurance should be the next step.

At ManyPets, we have up to £20,000 vet fee cover on our Complete Care puppy insurance, 24/7 video vet access on all plans and a host of ManyPets Perks.

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