Breeder red flags.
Where you get a puppy matters more than almost any other choice you will make. A good breeder is your best insurance against heartbreak and vet bills; a bad one funds cruelty and sends home sick, poorly socialised animals. Here is how to tell them apart - and a printable checklist to take with you.
🚩 Red flags - walk away
Won't let you visit
A breeder who will only meet in a car park, at your door or 'halfway' is hiding where and how the animals are raised. Always see the pup where it was born.
You can't meet the mother
The mother should be present, healthy and relaxed with her litter. 'She's at the vet' or 'with a friend' at every visit is a serious warning sign.
Always has puppies available
Responsible breeders have occasional, planned litters and often a waiting list. A constant supply, or several litters at once, points to a puppy mill or broker.
Breeds many different breeds
One person doing three, four or more breeds is almost never doing right by any of them. Good breeders specialise.
No health testing
Ask for the parents' health-test certificates for the breed's known problems. 'Vet checked' is not the same as breed-specific health testing.
Sells puppies too young
Pups should not leave the litter before eight weeks - those early weeks with mother and siblings shape their behaviour for life.
Doesn't ask you anything
A breeder who cares where their pups go will interview you. If they only care that your payment clears, they don't care about the animal.
Pressure, deposits and urgency
'Another family is coming tonight', large non-refundable deposits and rushing you are sales tactics, not signs of a good home.
No contract or paperwork
Expect a written contract, vaccination and worming records, and registration papers where relevant. Missing paperwork is a red flag.
The price is suspiciously low
Cheap puppies usually come from parents that were never health-tested, and the savings vanish into vet bills many times over.
✅ Green flags - good signs
- Welcomes you to visit and see where the pups are raised
- Shows you the mother with the litter, relaxed and healthy
- Health-tests both parents and shows the certificates
- Focuses on one or two breeds they know deeply
- Asks you plenty of questions about your home and plans
- Has a waiting list rather than constant availability
- Gives a written contract, health guarantee and vaccination records
- Will always take the dog back if things ever go wrong
- Raises pups underfoot in the home, well socialised
- Is happy to stay in touch and answer questions for life
Questions worth asking
- Can I visit and meet the mother and the litter?
- What health tests have the parents had, and can I see the results?
- How are the puppies raised and socialised?
- What do you feed them, and what have they been wormed and vaccinated with?
- What happens if I can't keep the dog in the future?
- Why did you choose to breed this pairing?
Not set on a breeder at all? Thousands of wonderful dogs and cats wait in shelters. Whatever route you choose, the same rule holds: meet the animal where it lives, and never buy on impulse or out of pity - that only funds the next bad litter.
Breeder visit checklist
Print this and tick it off on your visit. If several boxes go unticked, be ready to walk away - there is always another litter from a better breeder.
Green flags to confirm
- Welcomes you to visit and see where the pups are raised
- Shows you the mother with the litter, relaxed and healthy
- Health-tests both parents and shows the certificates
- Focuses on one or two breeds they know deeply
- Asks you plenty of questions about your home and plans
- Has a waiting list rather than constant availability
- Gives a written contract, health guarantee and vaccination records
- Will always take the dog back if things ever go wrong
- Raises pups underfoot in the home, well socialised
- Is happy to stay in touch and answer questions for life
Red flags - any of these, walk away
- Won't let you visit
- You can't meet the mother
- Always has puppies available
- Breeds many different breeds
- No health testing
- Sells puppies too young
- Doesn't ask you anything
- Pressure, deposits and urgency
- No contract or paperwork
- The price is suspiciously low
pawholt.com - free pet guides · a good breeder welcomes every one of these questions