How to Buy a Puppy Online Safely
Buying a Puppy Offline from a Local Breeder
We all think that the best is to buy a purebred puppy from a responsible, local breeder. This way one can make sure that the puppy comes from a trustworthy place. It is though very common that the untrained eye does not realize that such local breeders are undercover puppy mills that treat their breeding dogs badly and do not follow the practices of responsible breeding. Therefore it is wise to ask the help of an experienced dog owner to help you root these breeders out, and guide you through the process of choosing a good, healthy puppy.
Buying a Puppy Online with the help of a Professional Puppy Finder Company
The ideal way to buy a puppy is from a local breeder (offline). However it is not always possible, as in some cases the breed you are interested in is not available in your city, state or country, never mind your vicinity. There are also some areas of the world that lack good breeding practices and sell gullible dog owners “purebred”, highly inbred puppies.
If you are not confident with the process of buying a healthy dog it is far better to use a Professional Puppy Finder or breedrCompany that:
- Helps select a responsible breeder and eases the process of buying a puppy.
- Suggests the breed that suits you and your lifestyle the most.
- Selects and audits the best breeders.
- Makes sure that the breeder’s breeding dogs don’t have genetic problems. (Puppies are also examined by an experienced veterinarian who will also get them up to speed with all their vaccinations and required deworming.)
- Is responsible for the dog’s local and/or international shipping, always making sure that all the required paperwork is in order to avoid any problems.
- Takes responsibility and guarantees the health of the dogs they sell.
Buying a dog or puppy from a Professional Puppy Finder or breeder Company is similar to using an au-pair agency who checks the au-pairs locally and does the most difficult part of the job. This is also an effective way to avoid scams.
It is also not uncommon for many breeders team up with a Professional Puppy Finder or breeder Company whose job is to transcend language barriers and to help build trust between the people involved. These companies also make sure the puppy is in perfect health and that it is fit to travel to a loving home.
Avoiding a Scam
Rock bottom prices often come with their own risks. It is all too common that low prices mean that the dogs are coming from a puppy mill.
Scammers flood the internet with misleading ads. They usually use stock or stolen photos instead of using photos of their puppies. Professional Puppy Finders use more reliable means by using their own official website, official Facebook page, Instagram, Pinterest and other pages. Professional Puppy Finders or breeder always use a watermark on photos they send to potential owners or publish on their website to sell their dogs.
It is also important to never pay for your puppy using MoneyGram or Western Union as these services some times do not help you get your money back in case something goes wrong. It is best to pay using credit card as credit card or other local payment companies always check the vendors very carefully.
A legitimate Professional Puppy Finder or breeder Company operates transparently and can be contact in several ways. Professional Puppy Finder or breeder Companies provide references upon request, and have a Facebook page where anyone is free to comment. Another way to find out if a Puppy Finder Company or breeders are scammers is to ask if you can visit their headquarters and the breeder’s premises.
How to buy a Puppy from a Professional Puppy Finder Company
It is best to buy a puppy from a Professional Breeder or Puppy Finder Company that has high expectations of its breeders. It is therefore very important to know the standards that these breeders are being held up to.
It is important to read client reviews and to contact the company through different available means before deciding on buying a dog. Ask their help to find a dog breed that suits you best and never forget to ask for references.
It always pays to checking the company’s terms and conditions carefully to avoid any surprises. Checking if the company offers any health guarantees or any other benefits is also very important. Be sure about what is or isn’t included in their stipulated price. Serious companies include the dog’s vaccinations, deworming, medical checks, microchip, airline approved crate, national pedigree and export docs in their final price. It is normal for transport costs not to be included as transport distances can vary greatly.
Buying an animal comes with its responsibility. It is best to consider if you are ready for such responsibility before committing to buying or adopting a dog. Dogs need attention, patience and money; be extra sure that you are willing to provide your future dog with all that is needed. We suggest you read our Responsible Dog Owner Handbook to make sure everything is crystal clear.
If you feel ready to deal with all of the above then please proceed to speak to the company about the puppy that caught your eye. Also, make sure that you are comfortable with the price and conditions of your purchase. Finally, if you genuinely feel that all is fine, feel free to press the order button and enjoy the adoption process and look forward in anticipation to a thrilling future with your new Dog.
Charity
We implore you to not forget about those dogs that are not as lucky as the one you intend to buy. There are millions of great dogs waiting to find their forever home. If you decide to buy a purebred puppy, try to find a Puppy Finder or breeding Company who partners with a Dog Rescue Centre. These companies donate money and resources to help these rescue centers operate and help these dogs to find a home. If you feel that adopting a shelter dog is not for you, you can still make a difference by donating or by supporting Puppy Finder Companies that help dogs in need.