What are green and red flags when choosing a dog breeder?

15 April 2024

How can you ensure your purchasing from a responsible breeder?

You may be concerned about purchasing from a responsible breeder and have some questions about what to ask and think about.

It is really important that the health and temperament of the bitch (mother) and sire (father) are considered as these can directly affect the puppy. The Assured Breeder  scheme by the Kennel club means that breeders comply with heath screening as dogs can suffer with certain health conditions. Labradors can suffer with hip dysplasia for example so hip scores (this is where hips are measured by vets from an x ray).


The location of where the puppy is raised is really important too .. a dog raised outside in a kennel will not experience sights and sounds that living in a home will. This can include household appliances, people, the tv, fire alarms, doors slamming, lights going on and off, the radio. Not being habituated (gets used to) to noises and sounds can result in fear occurring later on.


Red flags to watch out for 🚩


  • The mother not being with the puppies. Look for signs that it is the actual mother - she may be nursing the pup's with her milk for example.
  • Dropping off the puppy to your home /meeting somewhere so that you don't see the puppy in the natural environment.
  • Never buying your puppy from the back of a van or near a airport - they could have been imported in.
  • The breeder not asking you any questions about having a dog.
  • You being able to get a puppy the first time you visit - the breeder should want you to be visiting many times
  • A puppy should not be bought home before 8 weeks  - avoid the breeder if they say you can bring them home much earlier than this.


The breeder will need to have created a socialisation and habituation plan 🐾


It is important that a breeder has created a socialisation and habituation plan for a puppy at their different developmental stages. This can include:


  • Seeing different people
  • Being handled by different people (The caveat to this of course important that the puppy is not sensitised to being touched (i.e too much rough handling that has been forced which has created fear in the puppy). 
  • Experiencing different surfaces underneath their paws.
  • Having toys to explore and engage with.


If you are looking for support in finding a reputable breeder and have more questions on what to ask we have a range of pre puppy support options.

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