Any tips of finding a reputable dog breeder?

[watchstudent]

I’m thinking it has been too long since I had a dog, I miss having one dearly.

However, COVID seemed to bring unprecedented demand for dogs and I have heard lots of scams and bad experiences from people trying to get dogs. I guess now that the value has gone up unscrupulous people are trying to make a quick buck.

So any recommendations on finding the good and responsible breeders in this Wild West of dog ownership? I’m based in Devon, so if anyone does have any local recommendations that’d be incredible.

Flexible on breed, something medium dog sized that will enjoy Dartmoor and the coast with me!


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[Maysie]

Rehome one if you possibly can.

Covid seems to have resulted in an utterly bonkers frenzy of dog ownership, so rehoming centres are already being inundated with unwanted animals as people head back into the office/realise that owning a dog involves some work/ are bored of them and I feel it will get worse still over the coming months. It can sometimes be hard to meet list of criteria the rehoming centres require, but it would be a great place to start your search.

There are so many unscrupulous and greedy breeders at the moment, that buying a new puppy will be a nightmare unless you have a recommendation from someone you trust.

[MrBanks]

A friend of mine just bought a Cocker Spaniel puppy from a pedigree breeder, due to be with him mid July. He paid £2800. Seems extortionate to me but I can get the details if you want?

[freeloader]

Kennel Club https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/sea...sured-breeder/

Champ Dogs https://www.champdogs.co.uk/?classic_site=1

I'd avoid pets4homes and Facebook unless you have personal recommendation from TRUSTED friends.

Also as others have said rehoming would be a good way to go also, and would avoid the ridiculous prices being asked for some breeds at present.

[gingerboy]

Rehome - current prices are ludicrous!! Talk about cashing in.

I dread to think the number of dogs that will end up in rescue over the coming 12 months as people start having to go back to work / travelling etc. Where will the rip off breeders be then I wonder?

We know a breeder of boxers and she and her fellow legit breeder friends are stounded by the prices being asked. Boxers are £2.5k+++ 18 months ago you could have your pick for between £800-£1500.

I'm a massive advocate for rescues and giving a dog a second chance, often they have neded up in rescue through no fault of their own. It tends to be owners who have gone through massive personal changes (separation / divorce / loss of income or home) or an ex-owner who has got the dog and isn't prepared to put the work in on training, exercise, stimulation etc. The dog is rarely the issue and any rescue worth its salt will have done enough work to identify historic issues and assess the dog in a variety of situations.

Whatever you decide, I hope you find a great friend and companion.

Paul

[PreacherCain]

Another vote for the Kennel Club route, if you really want to have a puppy rather than rehome: but I’d caution that you should always do your diligence anyway. A Kennel Club registration isn’t necessarily a clean bill of health and I don’t know how much assessment/enforcement the KC does of its registered breeders. Go and visit the breeder at home, see the mother, see the other pups etc, etc.

A good breeder may well triage you, as well - when we got our first puppy, I spent an hour on the phone with the breeder and it was the toughest interview I can remember!

[dashfield]

I’ve been checking various re-homing sites daily for 9 months but had no luck finding a dog that can be with younger children (my youngest is 3).

But there’s plenty of lovely dogs that can be with older children or adults only.


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[Tatters]

I’ve been checking various re-homing sites daily for 9 months but had no luck finding a dog that can be with younger children (my youngest is 3).

Does such a thing exist? I assume any dog, no matter how placid, has a breaking point when faced with very young children who are too young to understand that dogs need to be treated with respect, and are not a toy.

[Beanie]

[QUOTE=dashfield;5768290]I’ve been checking various re-homing sites daily for 9 months but had no luck finding a dog that can be with younger children (my youngest is 3).

Bearing in mind that rehome co-ordinators are often not given the full truth about the dog, it is understandable that they are reluctant to place a dog that might have behavioural problems in a home with young children.

[dashfield]

^^Yep I totally understand and not complaining, I was just saying in case the OP has young children that a re-home might not be an option.

I should have also clarified that there are lots of Greyhounds and Lurchers on some re-homing websites and I think they’re often ok with children, but these breeds didn’t appeal to my wife and I so weren’t something we looked into further.


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[qaz4169]

An option is to rehome an older dog. They are more challenging to place but usually are well trained and grateful to move from kennels. From a family perspective, it is hard to find a more suitable dog than a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. They are unfairly maligned in the press but actually are one of the 2 breeds the KC recommend for a family dog. We rehomed ours 12 years ago, now 14/15, and he has been super.


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[ingenioren]

Morning
My sister breeds mini wire haired dachs, and has had dealings with these people, a neighbour collected his Cocker there and was chuffed...
(they are based in South Wales)

https://manytearsrescue.org/

Good luck, please let's know how you get on
Cheers, Peter

[Brighty]

People paying these ridiculous prices for puppies are what's creating the issue of dog theft. Loads of reports near me of vans prowling the villages near by attempting to steal dogs from lone walkers. Some people have been assaulted and their dog taken. Houses broken into and puppies stolen. Crazy

[dougair]

People paying these ridiculous prices for Rolex are what's creating the issue of Rolex theft. Loads of reports of scooters prowling attempting to steal Rolex from people. Some people have been assaulted and their Rolex taken. Houses broken into and watches stolen. Crazy

Fixed that.

[Brighty]

Fixed that.

True, but a watch can be replaced by insurance. Would you be happy with an insurance replacement dog?

[paule23]

People paying these ridiculous prices for puppies are what's creating the issue of dog theft. Loads of reports near me of vans prowling the villages near by attempting to steal dogs from lone walkers. Some people have been assaulted and their dog taken. Houses broken into and puppies stolen. Crazy

Interesting that you’re blaming people buying dogs for the rise in dog theft. I thought it was due to arseholes finding new ways of making money.

[Mark020]

Today the first article in the paper on shelters being flooded with corona dogs.

[RobDad]

I’m going to be very honest here, my family have been keen on having a dog for a few years now, but - and this may shock people - I don’t really like dogs especially and even though id never harm an animal and would treat it with love I just don’t connect with them at all - strangely they seem to love me and often approach me for some attention, and I of course stroke and pat them but I feel no more connection than I did with my tropical fish. My wife is similarly ambivalent so I’m sure we’ll never have one. It appears there are many out there who perhaps feel the same but give dog ownership a go due to pressure from kids etc with disastrous consequences for the poor animal. I actually feel almost bad admitting this in a nation of dog lovers but perhaps more people should think twice before they buy a dog and the poor thing ends up in a shelter


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