Our D for Dog reporter Danielle Ingarfill says of the event: “Discover Dogs is huge, with over 180 different pedigree breeds, some very rare breeds and some every day breeds that we all know and love. Each day the experts are on hand to advise on different aspects of the breed such as feeding, grooming and exercise needs. They will also inform you about the breed’s temperament and characteristics.”

Your local dog rescue centre will also be happy to discuss breed choices with you. A chat with them to discuss the perfect breed for you is always worthwhile. They may point you in the direction of a breed you hadn’t yet considered or even the perfect cross breed just waiting for a new and loving home.

Once you have chosen your perfect breed of dog, if you are not taking on a rescue dog, you will be looking for a reputable breeder. The place you choose to get your puppy from is of paramount importance.

Puppy Farms and Illegal Breeders
Each year thousands of dogs are bred illegally in the UK, often in appalling conditions. A puppy farm is the general term given to a place that breeds dogs with little or no regard to the welfare of the dogs and puppies and with profit as the main goal.

In October last year we reported on the undercover investigation done jointly by the BBC and Dogs Trust which once again highlighted the puppy farming problem across the UK. Read the Stop Puppy Farming report.

In particular the investigation focused on an unlicensed dog breeder in south Wales. What was particularly shocking was the destination of many of the puppies – Harrods.

Puppy farms exist purely for profit. Corners are therefore cut and conditions inside these puppy farms are often quite horrific. The puppies and the mothers will show obvious signs of neglect and will be starved of any affection or humane care, and have limited or no access to the outside world. The mothers are treated as mere breeding machines, giving birth to litter after litter of puppies and living in confined and lonely conditions.

Closely related dogs are often bred with each other out of convenience and economy meaning that recessive health problems are much more likely to surface. The puppies often have poor health and no socialisation. This in turn means that the new owner will have an inferior dog with health and/or behavioural problems. You may have purchased your dog cheaper than from a reputable breeder but the long term costs of ill health and behavioural consultations as well as the emotional costs to you will soon out-weight any initial cash advantage. Look out for signs of puppy farming and make sure you never buy a puppy from one of these places.

But beware. The puppies from puppy farms are usually sold to dealers who then sell the puppies on. Puppies bred from puppy farm situations are most likely sold via classified ads (e.g. Loot, Yellow Pages and Exchange & Mart) or sold in pet shops and department stores.

Clarissa Baldwin, Dogs Trust Chief Executive says:

"Puppies bought from the adverts in local newspapers, or the pet shop on the high street, could so easily come from a puppy farm. Even a pedigree certificate or registration is not necessarily proof the puppy has been properly reared or bred. As a nation of animal lovers, we urge people to carefully consider where they get their dog from."

How to Avoid Buying from an Illegal Breeder
- never buy from a pet shop.
- never buy from the classified ads.
- never buy from anyone advertising several breeds of dog.
- make sure that a puppy is always seen with its mother in its home environment.

If a breeder offers to meet you with the puppy then they are most likely a puppy dealer or illegal breeder. If you are travelling to pick up the pup, the illegal breeder might say they will meet you half way but this is not to do you a favour. Think about why you are not being offered access to the pup in its home environment.

Reputable Breeders will
- care about the pup’s potential new home
- ask you lots of questions
- often have a waiting list
- be dedicated to producing quality dogs
- be knowledgeable about the breed
- carry out genetic testing
- be willing to discuss whatever faults the dogs have
- allow you to see the litter and the mother
- allow you to see pup's the living conditions
- make training/socialisation recommendations
- have a contract with you
- offer a health and genetic disease guarantee
- take the dog back if needs be
- offer advice during the life of the dog

Breed Clubs
If you are interested in a particular breed, contact that breed club who should be able to provide you with a list of reputable breeders as well as advice about that particular breed.

The Furry Godmother
Dogs Today magazine has a marvellous section called Furry Godmother. This can also be found online at www.thefurrygodmother.co.uk

It is described by Dogs Today as "the revolutionary free service that makes finding your next dog much less hairy!".

Beverley Cuddy, Editor of Dogs Today and Founder of The Furry Godmother, says "We know it can all be quite baffling. There are hundreds of types of dog to choose between and we want you to find the one that will best suit you and your lifestyle. We also want you to consider getting a rescue dog, but if you are quite sure you want a pup we will try to guide you towards the really caring breeders who do all they can to prevent hereditary diseases."

"Buy a badly bred dog and you'll end up paying big time; you'll be paying the vet or a behaviourist to sort out their problems. And the heartache of buying a puppy that dies early or suffers horribly with preventable conditions is enormous, so please – only buy from breeders who really care. Furry Godmother have strict criteria for breeders."

Dogs Today have also published a Little Black Dog Book to acquaint yourself with the growing list of nasty hereditary problems that dogs suffer from. It's a complex subject, but every litter advertised in their book has a breeder who has done everything possible to avoid passing on a problem. Don't support people who are breeding ignorant!

Finally
If you come across a puppy living in poor conditions potentially with an illegal breeder, don’t buy the puppy just to save it. If you do you will only be fuelling the trade and paving the way for that ‘breeders’ next litter.

Dogs Trust says “If you believe that the dogs are suffering physically as a result of cruelty or neglect, contact the RSPCA and let your local council know. Please also contact us, here at Dogs Trust with as many details as possible, so that we can add the establishment to our list of suspected puppy farms.”

For full guidelines on how to make sure you don't buy a puppy from an illegal breeder contact Dogs Trust by emailing puppyfarming@dogstrust.org.uk or tel: 020 7837 0006.