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Choosing a good breeder:

Marketing:

To some extent, all good breeders should be transparent. Fancy marketing does not always imply a happy, healthy puppy raised at home. Ask to view recordings of them playing or feeding from their mother, rather than just images of a puppy playing on the kitchen floor. Look for pictures of their whelping area. If photographs show concrete garage walls and wooden kennels, this is a unmistakable sign of a kennel breeder. Puppies on the internet that have been pirated are usually obvious signs of a puppy farmer; they are unlikely to be the puppy you desired... From birth onwards, a good breeder will have a wide range of puppy photos.

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Breed knowledge:

All competent breeders should be well-versed in their particular breed. They should be well-informed about the health, temperament, and characteristics, as well as why they chose to breed in the first place. Do do your research, join Cockapoo communities and ask breeders as many questions as you can and read as much as you can.

 

Facilities:

The breeder refuses to show you where the puppies are raised and/or insists on seeing you in a public place. This is a clear indicator that the breeder is a puppy farmer or that the dog is living in deplorable conditions. For a wonderful, socialised dog, choose a puppy who has spent their entire life inside in a family home environment.

 

Dog shipping:

You must be able to witness the puppy being raised in its natural environment as well as the parents. It's a red flag if a breeder offers free delivery without first meeting the possible new owners. Breeders like these don't care who gets their puppies, which indicates it's probable they don't care about their health too.

 

Vet care:

Be wary of breeders who do not do health testing or have not had their litters examined by a licenced veterinarian. Breeders receive formal certification from veterinarians that vital checks have been done and the results of those checks. Health checks can be completed anywhere before the date they leave for their new homes.   Before they go to their new homes, all puppies should be microchipped and registered with the breeder. When picking up your dog, make sure you get their microchip number records.

 

Commercial breeders:

These are breeders who only utilise their animals for breeding purposes only. They have a horrific habit of selling off their breeding dogs when they are no longer useful. They don't care about the dog as a pet; its sole purpose is to produce money. They take the manner of a flashy website that sells hundreds of litters all year, pups to order, and tragically, some of them are even council registered.

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The pups' parents:

You must be able to physically meet the mum of the pups and it is vital you see your pup interacting with it’s mum in accordance to 'Lucys' Law'. Look for indicators that mother is interacting with her puppies directly. Puppies bombard their mother, which might be overwhelming for them, but this should not be used as an excuse for not seeing them together. The breeders' reluctance to view the pups' mother is a clear indicator that they are Puppy Farmers. Inquire about the Sire's background, see images, and inquire about the breeder's vetting process to verify the pup's father is healthy. Are you able to see photos of the Sire? Can you make contact with the Sire's owner?

 

Avoidance strategies:

Breeders who avoid answering questions about their dams, sires, and pups should be avoided. Breeders should be honest, open and transparent.  Make a list of questions and ask them all of them. If any of these questions cannot be satisfactorily addressed, you should be cautious about purchasing a puppy. A good breeder, on the other hand, will have a questionnaire to ask potential new owners, including phone numbers and facts about your lifestyle. This demonstrates real concern for the puppy's well-being. Request authentic health test papers from at least one parent, and double-check the dog names against the breeder's name and address.

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The Law:

It is against the law for a puppy to leave the breeder before the age of 8 weeks. Before leaving for their new homes, all puppies are required by law to be microchipped and registered to the breeder. Lucy's Law also protects all puppies, which states that no puppy under the age of 6 months old can be sold or rehomed. This means that the puppy MUST be returned to the breeder.

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