Preloved

melbury

Just wondered if anyone had experience of buying a puppy advertised on Preloved.

There seem to be quite a lot of genuine puppy ads on there. I am very aware of the pitfalls of buying a puppy via an online advertisement with all of the scary stories of puppy farms etc. However, there are very few advertisements now in local papers etc.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Many thanks.

chris_n_tj

Lots of Puppy Famers sell via these sort of sites. Please be careful and try to buy from a good Breeder, even better one that's been recommended. xx

sheramber

melbury wrote: »

Just wondered if anyone had experience of buying a puppy advertised on Preloved.

There seem to be quite a lot of genuine puppy ads on there. I am very aware of the pitfalls of buying a puppy via an online advertisement with all of the scary stories of puppy farms etc. However, there are very few advertisements now in local papers etc.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Many thanks.

How do you know there quite a lot of genuine puppy ads on there?

Contact the Kennel Club for a list of breeders or contact your local rescue centre for a rescue. They often have pups.

adandem

Please avoid Preloved, so many puppy farmers and back yard breeders sell under the disguise of a genuine seller.
Have you considered rescue?
Lots of rescues take dogs from Preloved ads for the dog's protection. You have done your homework so you will know that the good breeders will probably have waiting lists, vet any prospective new owners rigoursly and won't advertise on Preloved or similar site.

Florence27

Adverts in local papers aren’t more likely to be genuine, it’s just that the internet has taken over. People turn to the internet whether they want to sell/buy a piece of furniture, an animal or go on a date.

A puppy farmer will make an advert look as ‘genuine’ as possible. It’s vital to research so you know what to look out for and what to avoid. The RSPCA has lots of advice here: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/puppy/sales

Also being Kennel Club registered does not mean that a puppy is healthy, or that the breeder is responsible: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/health/pedigreedogs/meaning

adandem

Just wanted to add, if you have a specific breed in mind many have online groups where you can get lots of information. Many breeds have dedicated rescue groups too.
We found that most breeders don't advertise the fact that they have puppies available.
But I wouldn't buy a puppy again, I would always adopt.

melbury

Thanks for your replies.

I am extremely cautious about who I buy a dog from, especially now with the advent of all these puppy farmers etc.

I haven't really considered contacting breeders because we don't want a pedigree dog. However, of course there are so many strange combinations now, which when I was young would simply have been classed as mongrels - i.e. cockapoo, labradoodle, plus many more - that are very expensive.

Surely every ad can't be dodgy - for example there is a litter on a farm just 10 miles from me that includes a photo of the mum and dad (working collie). States that puppies won't be ready to leave until the end of April when they will have had first vaccination and been microchipped and feel free to come and visit. Not quite the crossbreed I was looking for though:(

Have been looking at rescue dogs (in fact one of the best dogs we ever had was from a rescue), but unfortunately they don't seem to recommend taking one on if there is a small child in the house.

Our 16 month grandson visits and stays on a regular basis, which is why we thought a puppy would probably be a more sensible option as they could grow up together - and of course it goes without saying under very strict supervision.

We only lost our beautiful dog last week (to cancer).

adandem

melbury wrote: »

Thanks for your replies.



Surely every ad can't be dodgy - for example there is a litter on a farm just 10 miles from me that includes a photo of the mum and dad (working collie). States that puppies won't be ready to leave until the end of April when they will have had first vaccination and been microchipped and feel free to come and visit. Not quite the crossbreed I was looking for though:(

Have been looking at rescue dogs (in fact one of the best dogs we ever had was from a rescue), but unfortunately they don't seem to recommend taking one on if there is a small child in the house.

Our 16 month grandson visits and stays on a regular basis, which is why we thought a puppy would probably be a more sensible option as they could grow up together - and of course it goes without saying under very strict supervision.

We only lost our beautiful dog last week (to cancer).

I don't want to sound as if I'm being completely negative but have the dogs been bred to work or as pets? Are they kept indoors? Have they been socialised/handled?
Many local rescues don't have strict age rules for children, they go on a dog by dog basis and rehome accordingly.
A puppy can be a bit of unknown, at least with an older dog you know what you're getting?
Collies are lovely dogs, but you would need to be in a position to offer the puppy and the toddler the time they both need and at they time they need it.

http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/bordercollies.html

krlyr

melbury wrote: »

Surely every ad can't be dodgy - for example there is a litter on a farm just 10 miles from me that includes a photo of the mum and dad (working collie). States that puppies won't be ready to leave until the end of April when they will have had first vaccination and been microchipped and feel free to come and visit. Not quite the crossbreed I was looking for though

Could well be working line Collies, not ideal for a pet/family home. May have been born and raised in an outbuilding or kennel - not socialised to the sights, sounds and bustle of a family home. May not have been health tested - seizures, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia being just a few health issues the breed can be prone to (and can be hereditary).

Or they might be health tested, well raised dogs, you'd have to ask more questions, just like any breeder.

If you want a crossbreed but don't want to support puppyfarms or backyard breeders (the term for breeders who breed without taking appropriate care), you could look towards rescue - you can find many pups in rescue. Many Tears in Wales, for examples, takes many pups from puppy farms but you're not buying the pup from the dodgy breeder yourself.

Failing that, do some research and find a good breeder - Crufts this week, Discover Dogs in November etc. are great places to go and visit the breed sections, you can get to see the dogs in-the-fur plus talk to contacts within the breed to find out who to avoid and who comes highly recommended for puppies.

elsien

Which is fine if you want a specific breed. But if you're happy with a mutt but still want a puppy, where would you go then if the dog shelters are not looking keen?

melbury

I have just registered with Blue Cross who have lots of dogs looking for homes and will keep checking the rescue centres.

The term "breeders" is a bit ambiguous, as surely anybody who breeds even the occasional litter could be classed as such. Do you mean the only safe way to buy is to contact a Kennel Club registered breeder? How can you be 100% certain that they are actually OK?

I have to say we have never had a problem in the past and haven't been to a registered breeder. I suppose I was just asking because now so much is done on the internet. I think you can tell if there is anything dodgy about the set up when you go and visit puppies.

Have looked at Many Tears a lot over the years, but the majority of their dogs are ex-puppy farm dogs.

Collies we know very well, our last three dogs have been bearded collie X's and we love them.