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Posted: 4th March 2024

BVA urges puppy buyers to ask about health
Irresponsible breeding is a major concern among veterinary professionals, according to the Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey.
The association has set out five key questions.

To help tackle the problem of health problems caused by irresponsible breeding, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) is encouraging anyone thinking about buying a puppy to ask five key questions.

Prospective owners are encouraged to ask the breeder or seller:
  • Did you breed the puppies yourself? Legally, a breeder can only sell puppies they have bred themselves from the location where they were bred and reared.
  • Have you started to house train and socialise the puppy? Seeing the puppies with their mother and siblings can help a buyer spot any potential behavioural problems.
  • Were both the puppy’s parents screened for testable inherited diseases? Buyers should ask to see health screening certificates and consult a veterinary professional about the results.
  • Will the puppy be microchipped and given their first vaccinations before homing? Dogs must be microcripped by the time they are eight weeks old and the breeder should supply the buyer with the paperwork.
  • Has the puppy or its parents had any health problems? The buyer should be told about anything spotted by a veterinary surgeon.

For further guidance for both buyers and breeders, the BVA recommends consulting The Puppy Contract, which was developed by the RSPCA and the BVA’s Animal Welfare Foundation.

The most recent BVA Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey found that irresponsible breeding or sourcing of animals is the biggest animal health and welfare concern among UK veterinary surgeons, with 55 per cent of veterinay surgeons in clinical practice describing it as the most pressing issue.

Elizabeth Mullineaux, BVA junior vice-president, said: “While there are lots of responsible breeders, there are many unscrupulous individuals cashing in and not prioritising the welfare of the animals above making money.

“Sadly, vets frequently see puppies that have been bred in poor conditions or bought without a proper understanding of their welfare needs, leading to health or behavioural issues. That is why anyone looking to get a dog should find out how the puppies have been reared and cared for in the first few weeks of their lives.”

Image © Shutterstock



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