Scammers

This week we learned yet again scammers are posting photos of other peoples dogs saying they have puppies available and there are NO puppies.  This is something we can not get away from.  If you notice any of my images online being used please contact me. 

We can get Meta to take down false info, but sadly they just start up again with a new page, or new advert. 

For potential puppy owners it's a mine field knowing where to go for the reputable breeder.  So what do you need to know. 

Its different now to years ago, and you need to be aware.

• If the litter is about 5 weeks of age, can you find the litter registered on the Kennel club website.?
• Does the breeder have more information online than an advert?
• Do they have a website, instagram profile, Facebook profile.?
• Can you message anyone on those social media outlets who you thinks have a puppy from the breeder? Obviously a breeder can not give you info under data protection but you can work out from posts if someone has dogs from that breeder and you can message them. 
• Do not part with money to anyone who's not legitimate. 
• Do a video call and see the puppies with the mum if you're unsure. 
• Can you visit the breeder? What we do if someone is unsure is see someone but they can not view puppies if they are not viable and strong enough.  As virus can be transmitted on clothing which can kill puppies.  Especially dogs with short noses. But people can visit other dogs or ask questions. 
• Does the breeder do something actively with their adults ie showing, agility, working, fly ball and so on.  Because those breeders will always be following the standard and trying to produce better puppies.  Also they will be at the forefront on new health testing.  Pet owners sadly do very little health testing, and do not know the history behind their dogs.  
• When pups are old enough can you go and see them with the mother. ?
• Can you meet the father if he is owned by breeder?
• Health tests, this is number one thing you need to check on.  There is no excuse not to have basic health tests done.  You're lucky to find breeders who do multiple health tests.  It makes puppies more money but its money well spent as you wont loose your dog to those known awful diseases.  
• Paying more? This is always a tricky question because in theory the better dogs demand more money.  But since Covid we had every pet owner jumping in and charging more than we all did, with no health testing, no hobby behind.  This is still the case.  So ask why their puppies are more money, if they can not give you a reason then they are over charging for their puppies.  With Vizsla if you pay £700 to £1500 then the breeder is most likely not doing the health tests.  If you pay £2000 plus then yes they are doing health tests. But ask.!  I wouldn't pay that amount if the breeder wasn't doing their job properly.
• Find out if the breeder is at home with the puppies all day? May sound strange, but with some breeds if left to their own devices they become dogs with bad habits.  Some breeders are topping up their income with breeding dogs badly on the side.  If the tax man caught up with them they would even be in the higher tax bracket.  
• All breeders should do a tax return even if they do not break the £1000 hobby amount. Every9one is allowed to earn £11,500 a year before tax. 
• Are the breeders licensed? If someone sells puppies they are required to be licensed.  If they are not selling puppies they do not need a license. Ive heard every excuse under the sun now why someone doesn't have a license. Do not be part of the illegal trade of animals.  Licenses are not free!  So again if breeder is paying a license fee, their puppies will be more money.  
• Are the breeders Royal kennel club assured breeders? This is a scheme set out for better welfare from the Kennel club, but breeders have to pay initially for the home check and joining then a yearly maintenance money is required.  So again their puppies will be more than Joe Bloggs down the street.   But wouldn't you want someone signed up to better welfare of their dogs, and not just buying off back yard breeders.  
• Back yard breeders is any pet owner breeding with out having the legal checks in place.  
• Puppy farming is where dogs of huge volumes are bred.  So for example if you wanted a puppy for an exact week of the year, and breeder can supply then do more checks.  Dogs are kept in poor conditions.  Sometimes two houses are owned by the puppy farmer.  The home which is nothing but a show home for you to think you're buying off a family home, then actually where the dogs are kept in bad conditions.   They do not health test. They do not give you life time support.  They do not care the pups will have behavioural issues. 
• Do not buy puppies from Europe.  You do not know what conditions the dogs are in.  Or who you're buying from.  Some are clever with photo shop and photographs but what's going out back is nothing but farming of animals.   If you are going to buy from Europe, hop on that plane and go visit the breeder and look after where all the adults are kept and be comfortable.  I can still remember a friend of mine doing just that, and discovered awful conditions behind the scenes.  The breeder is a master at photos and photo shopping. 
• Also if you can take an older dogs consider rescue dogs.  Some are placed through no fault of their own, and unfortunately many go into rescue with issues.  Sometimes breeders have dogs back which are looking for homes.   Personally I love puppies as you mould them into the dog you want and with great manners.  
• Dont be the sucker who rescues from Europe.  There is a massive trade now of breeding dogs for the UK rescue trade. Because the money they get is considered a lot.  Here its a few hundred quid.  They know we are all suckers, me included, who would buy a rescue dog.  So they breed litters, leave them for a year and keep them in awful conditions then send them over here.   I didnt even realise this was a thing until my vet pointed it out to me. The penny dropped.!  Go through proper rescues here and have UK rescue dogs instead.  As these wont of been farmed for our rescue market.  We have a great deal of people who will only rescue as they say adopt not shop.  But they are fuelling an illegal trade in dogs.  Still shocked to this day I didnt know.  It's sad that we mop up bad breeders mistakes, end up with dogs with awful health issues. Ive met owners now who had rescue dogs, and now want a puppy because of the awful health issues and cost them tens of thousands.  Also the temperaments are so skittish they cant take the dog in public places.  So think carefully.  If you are going to rescue go through UK rescues only.