We know you are excited about finding the perfect furry friend for your family! PuppyNook wants to make your search enjoyable and super easy. Here are some questions to consider asking the breeder before making the big leap to purchase a puppy. Unfortunately, there are scammers out there and we want you to take all steps necessary to protect yourself.
Questions to ask the Breeder:
- Where do the puppies live?
- Do you allow people to go visit the puppies and their parents where they are raised?
- Have the puppies been socialized?
- When are the puppies available to go to their new homes? At what age?
- What type of vet care do the puppies receive (worming, vaccinations, vet checks, etc)?
- What type of grooming requirements are there with this breed?
- What type of food do you feed your dogs? Do you provide a food sample?
- Do you offer a health guarantee or a return policy?
- How old are the parents?
- How often do you breed?
- What type of health problems have you encountered in your dogs?
- What is the personality/temperament/character of the puppy?
- How is the puppy different from its littermates?
- How much does the puppy currently weigh?
- How big do you suspect the puppy will be as an adult?
- How much do the parents weigh?
- How long have you been breeding dogs?
- What got you started in dog breeding?
- Are you affiliated with any breeder associations?
- Do you show your dogs or participate in any dog sports?
- How many dog breeds do you own?
- Do you require a contract?
How to protect yourself:
- Once you have found the puppy you are interested in, email the Breeder with your initial questions. Then ask for a phone number so you can speak to the Breeder. If you are unable to speak to them for any reason, walk away from the sale. A reputable Breeder will likely have questions for you as well to make sure the puppy is going to a good home.
- Ask for references from previous clients. Look on the Breeder’s website for testimonials or social media pages for comments.
- Ask to see personalized photographs. Ask the Breeder to place a small card in photographs with your name or the date written on it. Also, ask to see photos of the puppy with its mother.
- Sign a well-defined contract. The contract should specifically state what puppy you are going to receive, what type of health guarantee comes with the puppy, what registration, if any, comes with the puppy and when you will receive the registration papers. It should also state if there is a process of reimbursement and/or return if the puppy is sick, etc. Most contracts will state that you will need to take your puppy to the vet within a certain timeframe. Protect yourself by having a clearly defined and signed contract with the Breeder! Get everything discussed in writing. Save a copy of the contract along with the listing from PuppyNook for your records.
- Never send money by Western Union or MoneyGram. If something goes wrong they will not help you get your money back.
- Do not send money to another country or even another state than the one shown on the Breeder’s listing on PuppyNook.
