Avoid Getting Scammed When Buying a Pedigree Dog

Written and verified by the lawyer Francisco María García

Last update: 27 December, 2022

Whether you decide to adopt a pedigree dog or a cross-breed, you need to do a little prior planning. There are many different factors to take into consideration when you decide to welcome a dog into the home. But one of the most important is to be sure of the safety and legality of buying or adopting a dog.

Breeders who don’t comply with the law

Unfortunately, there’s evidence that plenty of breeders still don’t meet the minimum hygiene and health conditions. This is without mentioning the many that avoid the relevant taxes.

Beyond being scammed when you buy a dog, it’s also important to consider the dog’s welfare and health. There are many illegal establishments that keep dogs in unsanitary, undignified conditions that can be a risk to their physical and emotional well-being.

For all these reasons, it’s extremely important to be responsible when you decide to buy an animal. Whilst adoption is always the preferred choice, here are some tips to avoid people scamming you when buying a pet.

What do I need to know to avoid being scammed when buying a pedigree dog?

Before we start, remember to choose your dog very carefully. Every breed has its own different physical and behavioral characteristics.

So, don’t just think about what you want your dog to look like. You also need to think about their lifestyle, the space you have available, and what their personality is like. Then you’ll be able to identify whether your dog will be able to adapt to your house and your routine.

5 tips to avoid being scammed when you buy a pedigree dog

Choose a legal and trusted breeder

There are countless illegal breeders across the world, and if you decide to use one of them, then you’re immediately at a high risk of being scammed. Not only that, but you’ll be further financing the animal black market.

The very minimum for a trustworthy breed is that they should comply with all the regulations in force in your country. Breeders are expected to show just the same love and respect for animals as anyone else.

If you don’t know a trustworthy breeder, consult with your vet or a dog trainer. You can also use the internet to find establishments near you and do a bit of research first.

Don’t buy a pedigree dog on the internet

This is definitely one of the riskiest ways to go about buying a pedigree dog. If you think it’s hard finding a trustworthy establishment, you’re even less likely to find one on social networks or online marketplaces.

As well as the risk of being scammed, you also have no idea about the health or hygiene of the puppy or their parents. You can, however, use the internet to do some research about an establishment and their previous record.

Visit a breeder before making any purchase

Although the establishment might have all the documentation in order, it’s important to see their facilities with your own eyes and, above all, meet the dog’s parents.

Ideally, you should make a visit to get to know the breeder and see the parents of your new dog for yourself. If the litter hasn’t yet been born, we also advise a later visit to check on the health of the newborn puppies.

One good practice is to request the documentation of the parents to verify their lineage. You may also request a health certificate for them.

Ask for them to provide the pedigree certificate with the puppy

You should always collect a puppy from the breeder at their establishment. Never accept a dog if they deliver them to your address or ask to hand it over at another location.

At this point, you should check that your puppy is in good health and request that they provide you with the pedigree documents to prove their lineage.

Think carefully about buying a pedigree dog

Last but not least, think very carefully before you decide to buy a dog. If you just take a trip to an animal shelter, you’ll find many pedigree and mongrel dogs that are just desperate for a home.

This way, you’ll also have the guidance and support of professionals and volunteers to choose the right dog for you and your lifestyle. They’ll then be able to provide you will all the help you need to share a healthy and happy life together.