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Getting a dog from a dogs home or animal shelter

There are many organisations and charities in the UK that look after dogs that are abandoned, lost or unwanted. They are good places to get a dog and you will be re-homing a dog that may be put down instead.

You can search online for local re-homing centres, or contact one of the major organisations like the Dogs Trust or Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. Re-homing organisations will check that you are able to look after the dog and that your home and lifestyle are suitable.

• Battersea Dogs and Cats Home Opens new window

• Dogs Trust Opens new window

• Kennel Club - 'Find a rescue dog' Opens new window

Buying a pedigree dog

The best way to buy a pedigree dog is through a breed club. A breed club will be able to tell you about the main characteristics and any problems the breed may have. They will also be able to give you the contact details of breeders.

Buying a puppy from a breeder

As well as talking to the breed club, you could ask your local vet if they know any responsible breeders. The vet will also know if there are any common medical problems in the type of dog you want.

You should take extra care when buying a puppy from a breeder. If you do, some of the things you should do include:

• Seeing the puppy with its mother (and father, if possible)
• checking its age - they must not leave their mother until they are at least eights weeks old
• checking its vaccination record (contact the vet that's stated) - they should get their first vaccinations before they leave their mother
• not agreeing to have the dog delivered to you unseen - this means you will not see where the puppy was bred, or its parent(s)

The Breeding of Dogs Act 1999 states that bitches should not be mated until they are at least one year old. They should also have no more than six litters in their lifetime and no more than one litter per year.

• Breeding of Dogs Act 1991 Opens new window

Pet shops and adverts in newspapers and on websites

If you buy a puppy from a pet shop, or from a newspaper or website advert, check that the seller does not offer a wide range of breeds. It's possible that the puppy may have come from a 'puppy farm'. A puppy farm is a name given to a place that breeds dogs for profit with little concern about their welfare.

The person in the shop selling the dog should have its breeding records. You should still follow the guidelines set out in the 'Buying a puppy from a breeder' section above.

If you are worried about a dog breeder or seller

Someone who is privately selling a dog that their own dog has given birth to does not need a licence.

Anyone who breeds and sells dogs as a business (where more than two bitches are kept for the purposes of breeding for sale) needs a licence from the local council. This is to make sure that dogs are properly raised and cared for.

Your local council has the power to check on the standards of welfare and accommodation of the dogs. They can get a warrant (permission from a court) to enter any premises that they think dog breeding is being carried out - except someone's private house.

You can report a shop or business to your local trading standards office. Or, if you think someone is breeding dogs illegally, contact your council.

• Search for your local council in England Opens new window

• Find your local Trading Standards office Opens new window