ADVICE REGARDING PUPPY SALES - COVID-19 UPDATE 08/06/20
 
There is currently a high demand for labrador retriever puppies and most reputable breeders will have a waiting list. There are also a lot of scammers out there. Poorly bred puppies from non health tested parents are being sold for vastly inflated prices and non existent puppies are being sold to unsuspecting purchasers based on photos lifted from good breeders' websites.
 
Current Covid-19 guidance permits a buyer to collect a puppy from a breeder provided social distancing is maintained. Do not agree to meet at a service station or supermarket car park to collect a puppy. This is a common arrangement suggested by puppy farmers.
 
Please also look at this link.
https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/news/animal-lovers-looking-for-pets-in-lockdown-defrauded-of-nearly-300000-in-two-months
 
Here are some guidelines to help you find a puppy from a responsible breeder. We are grateful to Ruth Turner for permission to share this advice.
 
1. Labradors must be at least 8 weeks old when they leave the breeder;
 
2. Puppies must be registered with the Kennel Club - there is no viable reason why not!
 
3. A good quality puppy can cost between £1000-£1500, any more is just profiteering from the current shortage;
 
4. Deposits should only be paid if the puppies are born and should be a reasonable proportion of the total cost. Be wary of non refundable deposits.
 
5. You must see the mum with the puppies, but not necessarily see the dad.
 
6. You must make sure the parents are both health tested for hips/elbows and eyes, just ask for the kennel club name of the parents and you can look up the health results online, here is the link: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/mateselect/test/Default.aspx and here is a link explaining health tests for labrador retrievers.
 
7. If your breeder says they are not on the website yet, they should have certificates they can show you, don’t be fobbed off and don’t be duped into thinking they don’t need these tests - THEY DO, no matter what!
 
8. Make sure the breeder is giving you a puppy pack, which contains information about rearing your puppy and also a contract of sale, there are guidelines for this on the Kennel Club website;
 
9. Most breeders will want to meet you and your family before confirming a booking. If because of current circumstances the breeder does not wish you to come into their home, please ask to see video footage of the pups with mum and their surroundings, preferably in real time.
 
10. Try and buy from an Assured Breeder, this will ensure the parents are health tested and the property has been visited and approved by a Kennel Club Assessor, but remember not being an Assured Breeder does not mean the breeder is not a good one. Recommendation is always a good indicator of a good breeder too.
 
11.Beware of some online puppy selling adverts especially on sites such as Gumtree, local Facebook groups, and other similar sites.
 
Above all take all this advice seriously, there are so many scammers out there, people have lost £1000s because of them, and due to lack of policing the back yard puppy breeders are doing a roaring trade, in expensive, often poor quality puppies, so please be aware and if you’re unsure at all trust your gut feeling and just walk away.