Table of Contents
How do you tell if a breeder is scamming you?
What are the Red Flags?
- No phone calls. The seller prefers to handle communication by email and not the phone.
- Copycat or stock photos. Photos of the dog or ad text can be found on multiple websites.
- Sketchy payment. The seller asks for wiring of money or payment by gift cards.
- Price is too good to be true.
How do you know if the puppy you are buying is healthy?
Skin: should be clean, dry, with no signs of soreness or folds that can become infected. Mouth: should be clean, with white teeth and pink healthy gums. Fur: should be shiny and soft with no sign of fleas.
Should I put a deposit on a puppy?
In conclusion, you should be willing to pay a deposit for a puppy. The buying process can sometimes feel foreign to a new buyer, but if you’ve done you research, then paying for your puppy ahead of time is considered normal by most reputable breeders.
Is it OK to buy a dog without papers?
Many purebred puppies are offered for sale without registration papers, or with registration papers but no pedigree. These sellers will tell you that you don’t need papers/pedigree if you just want a pet. Papers and pedigrees, they might say, are only necessary if you want to show or breed your dog. This is false.
How can I avoid buying from a puppy mill?
How To Avoid Puppy Mills
- Avoid pet stores, newspaper ads, and great deals online! Many puppy mills supply local pet stores with false information.
- Visit the breeder and ask questions! Ask to see the entire facility where the dogs are bred and kept.
- Adopt from a shelter or rescue instead! This is the safest solution.
What should I ask before buying a puppy?
Try AKC Marketplace and have this list of questions handy to get to know your breeder, your breed, and your potential puppy better.
- Ask to meet the parents.
- Have health tests been performed on the parents?
- How long have you been breeding?
- How do you socialize your puppies?
- Are the puppies up-to-date on vaccinations?