Puppy
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5 min
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As much as it feels like Mr Stork drops them off in a bassinet at your doorstep, there’s a lot of research to be done when bringing a new dog into your family. It begins with a pretty big question - whether you adopt a rescue, or buy a pup from a reputable breeder.
You’ll probably encounter many conflicting opinions, pros and cons during your research, which might make the initial decision quite difficult. We’re here to summarise all the information you need to help make the best decision for you. Either way, the result should be a happy and healthy pup bounding into your life!
One way you can find your new furry best friend is by choosing your breed, tracking down a reputable breeder and purchasing your new pup.
A recent survey found that a whopping 58% of dog owners across the UK found their pup via a breeder or private seller, making it a common route for most people to take.
Like other methods, buying a puppy from a breeder comes with a list of both pros and cons - it’s just a case of working out what works best for you, and what will make the best scenario for that future pup of yours!
Buying a puppy brings forth a wide range of pros that could potentially prove that this is the right route for you.
These include:
Health information and family history. When buying a pup from a reputable breeder, you’ll gain access to all of their health information, previous vet treatments and vaccination history. You’ll also get to know your pup’s parents for further peace of mind about avoiding genetic and hereditary diseases.
Raising a puppy. Buying a puppy from a breeder means their development and training are all in your hands! So whether you’re looking for a chill pup to keep you company whilst working from home, a highly trained dog with skills to impress, or even a hiking companion, how you train them and set them up for life is down to you.
Socialisation training has started early. As a pup being brought into the world by a reputable breeder, they’ll already have had exposure to other dogs and a family home from the get-go. Meaning they’ll already be accustomed to the lifestyle they’ll have after coming home with you.
Toilet training has started early. Puppies from a breeder will often have already come into contact with puppy pads and other methods of toilet training. Many new pup owners will find that this will transfer to the home and aid their toilet training.
Assistance and support from the breeder. Breeders who are dedicated to breeding healthy and happy pups will often provide expert support and advice about your pup’s health and well-being, even after you’ve taken them home. This can be great for first-time pup parents or if you’re after breed-specific information.
Puppy packs. Great breeders will often send you home with a puppy pack. This is a useful pack of information that will allow you to begin your pup’s life with their best paw forward! Learn everything you need to know about puppy packs and what you can expect to find in them in our article, Puppy Packs: What should be included?
Many of the cons of buying a puppy stem from coming into contact with disreputable breeders. But trying to spot all the red flags can be hard, and can land you in some sticky situations. That said, the potential cons of buying a puppy from a breeder should always be considered and approached with caution.
Possible cons of buying a puppy from a breeder include:
Potential unethical breeding. Purchasing a pup from a breeder without much research may result in contributing to unethical breeding. Some breeders breed puppies for profit alone, rather than to bring happy and healthy puppies into the world. Not only does this mean your pup may come with a long list of unknown health problems, but it increases the demand for the breeder to produce more puppies.
Tonnes of extra research. Before getting a puppy, it’s common knowledge that in-depth research is a must! Especially when looking into breeds, food and training. However, finding the right breeder adds even more thorough research as you need to ensure you’re working with one that’s certified and reputable. This can be particularly tricky and frustrating, especially when trying to keep an eye out for scammers, fraudsters and general bad eggs.
May be supporting selective breeding. Due to there being a demand for specific breeds, disreputable breeders may take unethical actions to make sure pups are born with certain characteristics. This is usually done without paying attention to potential health risks either when born, or further down the line.
Rigorous puppy training. Depending on what you’re looking for in a pup, this can either be a pro or a con. But with getting a pup straight from a breeder, all their training and development is down to you. So how you raise your young pup could potentially lead to nervous, anxious, over-excitable behaviour, if you don’t get it right from the beginning.
Information is never guaranteed. We’ve spoken about how a good breeder will often provide you with plenty of information about your pup, including a well-stocked puppy pack. However, this information, guidance or support is never guaranteed.
How do you spot a good breeder? Here are a few signs you’ve hit the jackpot:
For the safety of the dog’s mum, puppies and other puppies to come, it’s always good to not give breeders your business if you have any doubts.
Some potential red flags in puppy breeders may include;
If you notice any of these signs, something in your gut doesn’t feel right, or you see blatant animal abuse or neglect, be sure to contact your council, the RSPCA or local authorities.
Rescuing a dog or a puppy is another way to find your new fur baby. This would involve choosing a shelter, searching through all available dogs up for adoption, sending in your application and crossing your fingers that you get successfully matched with your dream pup!
As you can see, rescuing a puppy or a dog from a shelter can mean a few more steps when compared to buying from a breeder. But the payoff is worth it!
Rescuing a pup comes with a whole lot of pros, and it can be a beautiful journey towards giving a pup a forever home.
Some of these include;
Any route you take to get your new puppy will always have their potential downsides, but at the end of the day, it’s all relative. Depending on what you’re looking for in a dog and what you have to consider in terms of lifestyle, family life and your home, will determine whether a rescue dog is right for you.
Some potential cons to adopting a rescue dog include:
If you’re getting teary-eyed by scrolling through the hundreds of pups waiting for a new home, there are a few things you can keep in mind to match yourself with the perfect pup.
Deciding whether to buy or adopt is a tough decision. They both come with their pros and cons, but at the end of the day, you choose what best suits you and what would result in the happiest and healthiest pup! Either way, you’ll be welcoming a brand new fur baby into your home, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.
When it comes to their diet, try our specially formulated wet and dry puppy food, and range of treats, that can help aid development and soothe sensitive tummies.
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