Newcastle Kennel Club breeder urging families to be patient when buying a puppy
The Kennel Club says taking your time to find the right breeder could be life or death for your puppy.
A Newcastle Kennel Club breeder is urging people to be extra vigilant when choosing their dog breeder.
Research from the Kennel Club reveals that one in three puppies bought on impulse get sick or die before their first birthday.
They also found that two in five dog owners fear they bought their beloved pet from puppy farms after spending so little time researching.
Marie Burns, Newcastle Kennel Club breeder, said: "I don't feel that the problem with breeders is just in the North East of England, I think it’s countrywide. The demand for puppies is so big and obviously people realise that they can make a lot of money breeding dogs.
"They’re in a hurry to get a puppy as it’s an exciting time having a new puppy. They don’t do their research into the breed or the breeder. They just rush out and buy the first puppy that’s available.
"A good breeder will ask lots of questions about you. They will want to know about the environment and where the puppy is going to be kept and whether you’re available during the day to look after the dog. They’ll give you advice on diet and exercise.
"Always go to the environment where the puppy is reared to see it. Never meet people in car parks to buy a puppy. Go to its own environment, see it with its mother, see how it interacts in the family home with the other puppies and other dogs.
"If it takes a few months to find the right dog, then that’s fine as you’re going to have it for a long time so take your time and don’t rush in. That is the big problem, people rush in. They look online and in papers and they rush out to buy a puppy.
"The biggest thing is to be patient, I can’t stress that enough. Be patient as a few months to wait and find the right puppy is not a lot when you consider that you’ll have this dog as part of your family for 12 to 14 years."