Breeders, animal welfare & more – Here’s where you can buy your puppy
After months of research, your decision is made: a puppy will become part of your family. Maybe you already have a favorite breed – or perhaps you’re still undecided, or the breed isn’t that important to you.
To help you know where you can buy or adopt a puppy, we’ll introduce you to the different options:
buying a puppy from a breeder
adopting a puppy from an animal shelter
rescuing a puppy from a kill shelter
An overview of your options: Where will you get your puppy?
1. Buying a puppy from a breeder
You can’t stop thinking about a certain trait you want your puppy to have, and you already have an idea about its coat, size, and color? If you buy your puppy from a breeder, you can prepare for the characteristics of a particular breed – and since there are usually several puppies in a litter, you have a correspondingly wide selection.
Because your puppy’s parents are on site, you can get information about their size and temperament so you know what to expect. Many dog owners appreciate this transparency and security when bringing a new four-legged friend into their home.
But be careful: not all breeders are the same, and when choosing, you should always do your research. Are all the rules being followed? Does the breeder seem reputable? The puppies’ parents should also be present during your first visit.
Are you a quality-conscious breeder and is the high-quality nutrition of your puppies important to you? Then take a look at our →Breeder Program !
2. Adopting a puppy from an animal shelter
In Germany alone, an estimated 120,000 dogs end up in animal shelters every year, waiting day in, day out—often in just 3 m²—for their chance at a new life. Most animal shelters are so overcrowded that staff can barely care for the animals. Among the dogs, you’ll not only find adults and seniors, but puppies are also surrendered here or born at the shelter.
If you’re less concerned about a specific breed and are flexible about color and size, adopting a puppy from a shelter is also an option. Unlike with breeders, it’s only possible to say so much about the character of a shelter dog. Most dogs are mixes of different breeds, resulting in a variety of personalities.
3. Rescuing a puppy from a kill shelter
If you want to get your puppy from a kill shelter, you’ll usually have a wide selection here too. Often, many young dogs are waiting for the chance to finally find a home.
Through various dog adoption agencies, you can view short profiles and a few photos of the puppies in advance. Since the puppies are often only flown to Germany once they’ve found new owners, you’ll see your puppy live for the first time then. Viewings like those at breeders or animal shelters aren’t possible when adopting from a kill shelter.
When is the right time to pick up your puppy?
Whether you get your puppy from a breeder or from animal welfare organizations like shelters or rescue agencies, the answer to when a puppy should be handed over is always the same: at the earliest, at 8 weeks old puppies should be separated from their mother and rehomed. This limit is also set in the Animal Welfare Act.
In particular, the breeder is responsible for adhering to this minimum age. In animal shelters or kill shelters, it can happen that puppies are not yet 8 weeks old and have been surrendered without their mother.
Caution with hobby breeders and animal markets
The options mentioned above are the best ways to adopt a puppy. However, it’s not uncommon for puppies to come from hobby breeders and online sellers.
Puppies are often sold at markets, crammed into small cages and offered at very low prices. At first glance, the puppies may appear purebred and healthy. But due to lack of breeding experience and a focus on profit, diseases are passed on, vaccinations are missing, and the living conditions of the mother dogs are far below standard.
So when choosing a breeder, always pay attention to their reputation, as well as the VDH quality seal, vaccination records, membership in a breeding association and the conditions on site.
