A puppy farm is not always an obvious shed full of dogs. Many bad sellers use warm photos, friendly messages and convincing stories. The safest approach is to slow down, visit the litter, meet the mother dog and verify the paperwork before paying anything.
Warning signs
- The seller wants to deliver the puppy or meet in a car park.
- You cannot see the mother dog with the litter.
- Several breeds and litters are available at the same time.
- The puppy is much cheaper than comparable healthy litters.
- You are pushed to decide or pay a deposit immediately.
- The passport, chip registration or vaccination record is missing or unclear.
- The seller avoids questions about health tests and socialisation.
What a good breeder does differently
A responsible breeder welcomes questions, asks you questions too and lets you see where the puppies grow up. They can explain the breed, the parents, health tests, worming, vaccination and the first weeks of socialisation. They also stay reachable after the puppy leaves.
If something feels rushed or hidden, walk away. Buying that puppy may feel like rescue, but it rewards the trade and creates demand for the next litter. Use the checklist in buying a puppy before you visit.
