Trying to find the right place to buy a new dog can sometimes be a little overwhelming. Especially if you haven't done it before and don't know where to look. The internet has completely changed the way people buy and sell dogs, and that's why now more than ever you should do thorough checks. You need to make sure you get your dog from a reputable breeder or rescue centre. Here are some places where you can buy or rescue a new dog and how you should go about doing it.
Rescue Centre
At least consider whether a rescue dog could be right for your situation. There are so many dogs needing homes throughout the country that you will certainly find one you like. You can choose from all different breeds and ages of dogs to suit your lifestyle. Some rescue dogs are far easier to look after than a young puppy that will require a huge commitment. Research some of the rescue centres in your area and visit a few different ones to see
what type of dogs you like. Check to see if the rescue centres have a fee and if so what they provide such as injections and insurance for when you first take your dog home. Some rescue centres will offer a month's free insurance.
Reputable Breeder
Choosing the right breeder is very important if you want to get a healthy puppy that is well suited to your family. Good breeders will care about the welfare of their pups and will take the time to socialise them and provide adequate health care. They will care a lot about what happens to their puppies and have some guidelines on the type of homes they should go to. They should let you see the mother of the puppies so that you can assess what the puppies might be like.
Avoid puppy farms at all cost, these are places where puppies are bred in cramped conditions, not socialised properly and bred purely for the purpose of making lots of money. The Kennel Club has an up to date list of Kennel Club assured breeders. This means they have to follow clear guidelines and procedures such as health screening. For more information on how to find a reputable breeder click here
Breed Specific Clubs
If you are looking for a specific breed then search online for their UK club or association. These breed specific clubs will know the most about the breed and can tell you what to expect. They should be able to recommend reputable breeders and might have some rescue dogs available for adoption.