Where to buy a puppy (SW London/Surrey)

JimmyTheWig

Hi,

We're looking to buy a puppy.

As it's our first time and have small children we'd be happier buying from a shop rather than a private sale / rescue home.

We want a small breed, though I don't think that's particularly relevant here.

We've found this place online: http://www.londonprestigepuppies.co.uk/. They seem to have a few that would suit us and the place looks really nice. Sounds like an independent shop (which strikes me as better than somewhere like Pets at Home, though I don't know) and they give you access to their vet for 7 days if needed, etc. Sounds ideal.
But they're a fair trek for us to go to. Fine as a one off to buy the dog, but not ideal if we want to go and have a look, then go and buy one, then need to go back for the after-sales care, etc.

So, does anyone know any decent pet shops that sell puppies in SW London/Surrey? Or any clues on how to look for one?


Thanks,

Jim

krlyr

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

So, does anyone know any decent pet shops that sell puppies

None, to be honest!
Can I ask why you feel a shop would be better than private breeder? To be honest, no reputable breeder would allow their puppies to be sold through a petshop and therefore the only place that the petshops can get their "stock" are backyard breeders (the term for breeders who breed without much care or planning), puppy farms (yes, a petshop may present them very well on a patch of artificial grass but the puppies may have originated from somewhere like this - http://www.dogs-r-us.org/pictures/pen2.jpg or this - http://www.mediawebz.co.uk/emwuk.org.uk/images/stories/2006to2007/yorkie_11_1.jpg) or accidental litters sold on to the petshop.

None of these sources are likely to have done the appropriate health tests on the parents of the litter. Please note that health tests are hugely different to the health checks that these places offer. A health check is a bit like popping to the GP and having your temperature and blood pressure taken and your throat looked at - it may flag up a sore throat or an elevated blood pressure but it won't show that you're developing arthritis in your hips or that you could be blind in 12 months time. Health tests vary from breed to breed but are essential to rule out severe conditions like blindness, kidney failure, auto-immune disorders, joint issues and many more health conditions that can be avoided by not breeding from a carrier/dog suffering from the condition itself.

Remember that anyone can breed a dog - but to do it properly, it requires time, effort and money. Petshops are still shops, and out there to make a profit - they will source puppies in the cheapest way possible (which isn't from a reputable breeder) and then keep them in the cheapest manner too - so not on the best quality food and not taking time out of their day to socialise the puppies to the outside world (so you may end up with a dog with behavioural issues due to leaving its mum too early and then missing the vital socialisation window when a reputable breeder would be exposing it to vehicles, people, household sounds and smells, etc)

A reputable breeder will not only do the appropriate health tests, choose the best parents possible, but they will do a great job of raising the puppy while it's in their care. A good diet, introducing different sounds, smells and textures to the puppies as they grow so they don't get wary of gravel moving underfeet or the coldness of paving slabs, or afraid by the doorbell or the hoover. They will have selected parents of a good temperament to ensure the puppies are brave, not fearful, bold but not in an aggressive way, and friendly with dogs and people. To buy from a petshop is taking a huge gamble - especially with smaller children in the house, as you cannot guarantee the temperament of the parents or the other ancestors of your puppies.

A reputable breeder will also help you in your research, even if it ultimately ends up with them helping you realise that the breed they specialise in isn't for you, and direct you elsewhere. They will find a puppy to suit your lifestyle, and they will offer lifetime support - more than a petshop, who will ultimately sever any responsibility the moment your cash is in their bank account. Any problems 6 weeks, 6 months or 6 years down the line, a reputable breeder will do all they can to help.

I would recommend that you spend some time doing your research on both dog breeds and breeders - try to narrow it down to a few breeds you think will suit you and your lifestyle, research what health conditions they can be prone to and what health tests should be done, and try to get to some dog shows and events to speak to breeders and owners of the breeds face-to-face.
This is a good article to get you started
http://www.apbc.org.uk/articles/good_breeder

More info on puppyfarms and petshops
http://www.dogs-r-us.org/
http://www.dogs-r-us.org/petshops.shtml

And the Kennel Club's stance on petshops/BYBs/puppyfarms
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/208

Person_one

I wasn't even sure where to start, thanks Krlyr.

OP, everything in the above post is spot on. Pet shops are one of the worst places to buy a puppy, start from scratch with your research and wait until you feel more knowledgeable before getting your pup. You'll need to read up on training and healthcare etc. too.

Caroline_a

Most local authorities won't licence pet shops to sell puppies any more - for a reason! Pups need to be with mum until they are weaned and then socialised with people, other dogs, new situations, etc. In your situation, as you sound as if you aren't very dog-experienced, I would approach your local rescue society.

They often have puppies or young dogs that would be suitable for you, and then you get all the 'after-care' you need! Additionally, most rescue societies will take back dogs if they prove to be unsuitable in your particular household, and you will be getting an animal that is (usually) vaccinated, wormed and neutered (or a coupon for neutering when the dog is old enough).

SailorSam

What's wrong with a rescue dog ?
There are a lot of dogs looking for a loving home if you go to your local dogs home.

krlyr

This blog post mentions the company linked in your first post - and interestingly points out its previous names and the fact that they were previously closed by Newham Council - so I would also ask yourself why they've been closed down twice
http://batterydogfarmingdealerspetshops.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/my-visit-to-east-london-pet-shops.html

Caroline_a

Just had a look at the link you posted OP, and had a look on Google Maps. Personally I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole. It's a shop in an East End road, and according to their website they have around 40 puppies 'in shop'. Poor little sods, so what happens if they don't get sold....?

Edit - just looked at krlyr's link... appalling when you read about the older pups. Please don't go there, OP!

Darren_G

If I was to ever consider a puppy over an older dog, my options would be as follows

1) Go to Dogs Trust and ask to see the puppies and pick one

2) Decide on a breed, look at the specialist forums and breed related sites and seek out a breeder directly based on recommendations. The best of them will only have puppies available at certain times and might even have a waiting list - their first thought is for the welfare of their animals rather than profit. Most will own both the sire and the dam so you can assess the temperament of both parents to give you an idea of how the pups will turn out.

3)Wouldn't get a puppy if the above two options were exhausted!

gettingready

OP - I know this shop, I used to live around there and was in the hop several times myself.

Avoid at all cost.

You got "nice looking pups" crammed downstairs, different, unvaccinated litters together.

And upstairs, not for customers to see - very different and much worse story.

That shop shoud have been closed down ages ago.

david39

Can I also mention that puppies are really hard work.

I have had several dogs over the years and always found that getting a more mature dog had several benefits:

Usually already house-trained.

Usually socialised with other dogs and humans.

No nipped skin on hands due to puppy-mouthing.

I would also suggest that, if you go down the puppy route and don't want to use a rehoming source that you decide on the breed you want and visit the web page of the official breed society.

They will have a helpful page giving the background on the breed, including the pros and cons, as well as a list of accredited breeders who will sell healthy pups, but only to people whom they are sure will look after them properly.

They may well also be able to tell you of breeders with litters currently available in your area.

chris_n_tj

As many have stated please steer clear of these barbaric places. They buy in from Puppy farms, manly Wales.But while ever people buy from these monsters they will continue.
T
here is a similer shop in Manchester. It makes me weep it really does. But we all know that Dogs/Cat welfare dont create votes thats why its pushed aside by whichever goverment is in power. I best not get on my soapbox sorry.

Research the breed you want and then look up the breed specialists.
I dont go down the why ever dont you get a rescue beceause rescues are not for everyone.

Hats off to everyuone that takes on a rescue,it can be/is hard work. A rescue can have many issues that many families wont have time or knowledge to cope with.

So whichever route you chose to go down if you do your homework well you should be fine.

PS puppy photo's always welcome xxx