Adding a puppy to your family is a big decision. You have to ensure the time is right, prepare your home, get the whole family on board with caretaking and training, and find the perfect puppy.
Unfortunately, some places selling puppies are bad news for dogs and people, like puppy farms. What is a puppy farm? Also known as puppy mills, these are large-scale, commercial dog breeding facilities. They aim to make money by breeding and selling as many dogs as possible, often with deplorable welfare standards.
We spoke with Dr Nell Ostermeier, DVM, CVA, FAAVA, and veterinary advisor at Figo Pet Insurance to learn about puppy farms, discover how to spot them, and get tips on how to find a puppy from a safe, responsible source.
What’s the Problem with Puppy Farms?
Because of poor breeding and care conditions, puppy-farm puppies are highly likely to end up in new homes with parasites, kennel cough, pneumonia, and other illnesses. This includes the potentially fatal disease, parvovirus—commonly seen in puppies bred at puppy farms or by other irresponsible breeders. They may also have behavioural problems, fear, and anxiety from being separated from their mothers and littermates too soon.
In addition to harming individual dogs, puppy farms injure the breeds they reproduce. Because puppy farms are focused on making money, they often breed dogs without regard for genetic quality. That makes puppies prone to congenital and hereditary conditions, like heart disease and respiratory disorders.
Lastly, puppy farms also take homes away from animals in shelters, rescue groups, and reputable breeders. Although an individual puppy from a puppy farm can grow into a happy, beloved family member, these facilities harm many dogs. Puppy farms and unscrupulous breeders place profit over animal welfare.
Are puppy farms illegal in the UK?
While puppy farms are not technically illegal in the UK, breeding and selling dogs without a licence or in conditions compromising welfare is.
Third-party puppy sales were banned in the UK in 2000, under Lucy’s Law—legislation named after a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel rescued from appalling puppy farm conditions. For five years, Lucy was locked in a cage which barely allowed her room to stand, and bred from repeatedly.
Under this law, puppies can only be bought directly from British-based breeders or adopted from rescue centres. The sale of puppies through pet stores or other third parties is illegal. The legislation also cracks down on the importation of dogs from abroad and includes other measures to improve welfare, including the requirement for breeders to show puppies interacting with their mum in the place where they were born. It’s also against the law for anyone to sell puppies under eight weeks of age.
There are also strict rules in place for commercial dog breeders. In England, anyone breeding three or more litters within a 12-month period, or selling one or more of the puppies, needs a licence from the local authority. Although there are some variations, regulations around dog breeding licences are broadly similar in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Licensed breeders must meet a series of minimum welfare standards to be approved.
But, despite these regulations, criminal dog breeding sadly still exists—and many dogs continue to suffer and die in squalid conditions. But, by being aware of the signs of puppy farms and ensuring you welcome a new dog into your life responsibly, you’re helping to stamp out this cruel trade.
What percentage of puppies come from puppy farms?
It’s impossible to say how many dogs originate from puppy farms in the UK as it’s an illegal, underground activity that aims to fool prospective puppy parents into thinking they are buying from a reputable breeder. But, the RSPCA states that it investigates thousands of reports of potential illegal dog breeding in England and Wales every year.
How Can You Tell If a Puppy Is from a Puppy Farm?
“There are many signs that a dog is originating in a puppy mill, but it isn’t always obvious,” said Dr Ostermeier. Many people who advertise and sell animals online offer papers as ‘proof’ of humane, responsible breeding and can be very convincing.
Dr Ostermeier lists these—mostly illegal—signs as some of the key indicators that a puppy may be from a puppy farm:
- You aren’t allowed to visit the puppy’s home or kennel where they were raised
- You aren’t invited to meet the puppy’s parents
- They are being adopted out earlier than eight weeks of age
- There is no record of a microchip
- No veterinary records, or vaccines were not administered by a vet
- No testing for genetic diseases that are common for the breed
- The breeder is not licensed by the local authority
Look for signs in their advertisement
If you’ve found your dream puppy through the internet or a classified ad, here are some things to watch for:
- The puppy is priced very low. To grab the attention of prospective buyers, puppy farms will often slash prices. Generally, good breeders don’t offer sales or discounts, because there is always demand for their puppies.
- They’re sold online. Most reputable breeders don’t need to advertise online. There is always the risk it is a puppy farm if you’ve found an ad on an online sales site.
- The buying process is rushed. It’s also very telling if a ‘breeder’ is trying to make a quick sale. Good breeders care about their dogs and are more interested in finding a good match than making a profit. This means you can expect a lot of questions about your family and lifestyle. So, if you buy a puppy without screening, it’s highly likely to be from a puppy farm or unscrupulous breeder.
iStock via PongMoji
Ask what puppies they have available
If you’ve spent any amount of time chatting with a good breeder, you’ll discover two things:
- They’re incredibly passionate about the breed they’re working with
- They’re dedicated to bettering the breed
As such, most reputable breeders will stick to focusing on just one breed—two at most. Puppy farms, on the other hand, will pump out as many breeds as possible to turn a profit. If a seller offers multiple breeds, you’re likely looking at a puppy farm.
Additional questions to ask include:
- What health issues do they see most commonly? Reputable breeders will be forthcoming with health issues or concerns. Unlike puppy farms, they can provide paperwork on vaccinations and veterinary visits.
- Do they breed designer breeds? It’s a big red flag if a seller has many different types of purebred dogs or ‘designer’ hybrid breeds.
- How many litters do they have at a time? Ethical breeders will only have one litter at a time, so you’ll usually be waitlisted for a puppy. Year-round availability points to a puppy farm.
Other signs of a puppy farm
Here are some final clues you could be dealing with a puppy farm or criminal breeder.
- The seller wants to ship puppy. If a seller or breeder will send a puppy without an in-person meeting first, it could be a puppy farm.
- The seller asks to meet you in a location other than their home. Unscrupulous breeders will not want you to come to their premises, so often try to meet in places such as car parks to hand over puppies.
- The seller doesn’t provide a contract. All ethical breeders will have a contract to protect their puppies. Usually, this will include a return-to-breeder clause should you become unable to care for the dog.
- Puppy brokers are involved. These middlemen make money by sourcing and transporting dogs from puppy farms to unsuspecting families. This third-party sales method is illegal.
- The contact details appear on multiple online ads. This points to a puppy farm or unscrupulous breeder trading large numbers of dogs, more than likely from bad conditions.
- There’s zero follow-up. Many reputable breeders will stay in contact to see how their dogs are doing. Puppy farms want to move puppies through quickly with no additional check-ins.
iStock via Thankful Photography
How To Make Sure You’re Dealing With a Reputable Breeder
Luckily, if you’re looking for a specific dog breed, there are many ways to find responsible breeders. Dr Ostermeier recommends taking the following steps.
- Connect with national breed clubs and see if they can help you find local breeders
- Go to a local dog show or event and talk with the participants, as they may have recommendations for a reputable breeder
- You can also visit the Kennel Club and find reputable breeders
- Look for breeders with a five-star licence from the local authority, which indicates high standards of welfare for the dogs in their care
- Lastly, a personal reference from a friend or family member who has successfully adopted a healthy dog of the same breed you are seeking is a great resource
Responsible breeders provide a healthy, loving environment for their dogs. They seek the same in a new family for their puppies. Responsible dog breeders will:
- Introduce you to the puppy’s parents and show you where they live.
- Explain the puppy’s vaccine and medical history and give you a vet’s contact info.
- Not have puppies available year-round. They may keep a waiting list of interested families.
- Answer any questions you may have about the puppy’s background and care, as well as their breeding practices.
- Ask about you: your family’s lifestyle, why you want this kind of puppy, and how you will care for and train it.
- Avoid pressure sales tactics. Ethical dog breeders and rescue groups are not in it to make money. Instead, they believe in maintaining and furthering the breed and finding a good fit for every dog.
It’s also worth considering your local animal shelter or rescue group. They have more purebred puppies than you might expect, and good rescues will have just as many checks and safety precautions in place as reputable breeders.
What Are the Impacts of Puppy Farms on Dogs?
There’s a medley of concerns when it comes to puppy farms, from the health and treatment of the dogs to them being socially deprived and used solely for profit.
“Puppy mills typically have inadequate healthcare, lack of good nutrition, poor living conditions, and no genetic testing for inherited defects,” explains Dr Ostermeier. Each one of these can have an impact on the long-term health and behaviour of a dog.
One issue she sees with many puppy-farmed dogs is having trouble with potty training because they’re used to going to the bathroom in their cages, where they also eat and sleep.
Overall health
Dr Ostermeier also notes that the lack of care and nutrition can also cause health issues down the line, including inherited genetic defects such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, ocular or immune diseases, or cardiac disease. These can all be passed on and show up later in life.
A poor diet and inadequate grooming and veterinary care can also lead to dental disease, parasites, respiratory problems, and urinary infections.
In addition, puppy farm dogs are socially deprived, which can manifest as anxiety or fear. They may be overly shy, aggressive, or afraid of new things.
If you suspect your dog came from a puppy farm, or have adopted them after being rescued from one, remember they’ll need extra patience and care. These dogs can still lead happy, full lives. To give them the best chance of adjusting, ensure they receive proper preventative care and consider enrolling them in puppy training classes.
Fear and anxiety
Most puppy farms don’t let the dogs have a life outside of their cages and only use them for breeding and profit. Puppies are also regularly taken away from their mums distressingly early.
“A few of the saddest things about puppy mills are the dogs don’t have a life outside of their kennel and the dogs used for breeding, once they are no longer considered ‘useful,’ are often discarded in ways that are not humane,” explains Dr Ostermeier. “If you happen to adopt a rescued adult dog, it can be very difficult for them to adjust as they have never lived in a normal household and may require extensive training.”
While it’s important to avoid helping puppy farms profit, rescuing dogs from this life is an extraordinary act of kindness. “There are many dogs suffering daily,” says Dr Ostermeier. So, while it is not good to support the farms or unscrupulous breeders by purchasing puppies, adopting a dog who has been rescued from this situation gives them a whole new life.
What To Do If You Think You’ve Found a Puppy Farm
It’s hard to resist an adorable puppy. But before you take a puppy home, consider the source—and, if in any doubt, do not buy. Purchasing from a puppy farm or unscrupulous breeder only fuels the trade.
There are also ways you can help make puppy farms a thing of the past. If you encounter a puppy farm with evidence of cruelty or neglect, you can report it to the council, police and/or the RSPCA.
