Too many dogs are ending up in rescue homes in this country, because people are buying the wrong dog for their lifestyle from the wrong breeder, and then can’t cope further down the line. The Kennel Club’s national Puppy Awareness Week aims to help ensure that a dog is a dog for life.

Finding the right breed

There are 211 breeds of dog, and many crossbreeds, that have very different needs. Pedigree dogs are bred to have predictable traits and characteristics and by doing research people can easily find the dog that is the best fit for them.

Take a look in our Breed Information Centre to find out which breed is best suited to you.

Finding the right breeder

Kennel Club research undertaken last year showed that more than one in three dog owners may have been duped into buying a puppy farmed dog. Pups on puppies farms are born to overused and abused breeding bitches and kept in overcrowded, dirty conditions. Puppy farmers do not care about the health and welfare of the dogs that they breed and many end up with health and behavioural problems later in life.

The pups are often advertised in free ads or online and sold over the internet or in pet shops. Puppy buyers pick the pups up from neutral locations (motorway service stations, friends houses…anywhere but their breeding environment) or they are delivered direct to people’s doors.

The Kennel Club encourages people to always go to a member of the Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme. These are the only breeders in the country who agree to follow high standards for caring for the health and welfare of their pups and who agree to allow a Kennel Club inspector access to their premises. Those looking for a rescue dog can use the Kennel Club Rescue Dog Directory to find a Breed Rescue or another rescue home.

There are simple signs to look out for that will help people to sort the good breeders from the bad. In order to help STOP Puppy Farming the Kennel Club is asking people to:

Spot the signs of an irresponsible breeder
Tell the relevant authorities if you suspect a puppy farmer
Opt for a Kennel Club Assured Breeder or rescue dog
Please, spread the word.

Click here to find a puppy, and remember to look out for the purple Assured Breeder logo.

Show your support for Puppy Awareness Week
Download a PAW poster and leaflet below. Or request to be sent a PAW pack by filling out this form. The PAW pack will contain posters, leaflets and stickers.

PAW poster

Paw leaflet

Stop Puppy Farming video
Watch the Kennel Club’s video to find out more about where your puppy might come from and the cruel puppy farming trade here:

Kennel Club Puppy Buying guide - Episode 1 Are you right for a puppy?
The Kennel Club is helping people to find a puppy or a dog for life during its Puppy Awareness Week 8-15th September. This film, the first of three, runs through the questions that you should ask yourself to be sure that you are ready for the commitment that comes with owning a dog. Watch episode one now.

Kennel Club Puppy Buying Guide - Episode 2 Choosing the right breed
The Kennel Club is helping people to find a puppy or a dog for life during its Puppy Awareness Week 8-15th September. This film, the second of three, runs through the different types of dog breed so that you can be sure that you are getting a dog that fits with your lifestyle. Watch episode 2 now.

Kennel Club Puppy Buying Guide - Episode 3 Choosing the right breeder
The Kennel Club is helping people to find a puppy or a dog for life during its Puppy Awareness Week 8-15th September. This film, the final in a series of three, shows people how to find a responsible breeder and warns of the pitfalls of going to a breeder who may be linked to the cruel puppy farming trade, and whose puppies will probably end up with health and behavioural problems later in life. Watch episode 3 now.

Produced by dogsclub.tv – Britain’s first online TV channel dedicated to dogs.

Pup Aid
Coinciding with the start of the Kennel Club’s Puppy Awareness Week is the UK’s biggest anti-puppy farming event, Pup Aid, organised by celebrity vet Marc Abrahams. The fun day, includes food, music, the Kennel Club’s fun dog show, Scruffts, for crossbreeds which will be judged by famous faces. Find out more about Pup Aid.

Find out more about how to become puppy aware by clicking here

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