Buying a dog online? What to check, ask, and get from seller?

Question

I am wanting to purchase a dog from an online ad. This wouldn't be my first option... I know adopting from rescues and breeders are better but I have yet to find a dog that meets my preferences in a shelter & don't have enough money for an expensive adoption fee ($2,000+). That being said, what kind of things should I look for when meeting this dog, what things should the person provide with the dog, and as odd as it sounds, can you pay someone to come along? (is that a thing?) Thank you.

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

It's great that you're trying to plan ahead and make sure you're asking good questions! I'm not sure what breed you're looking at, but in general, I would definitely consider saving up a bit to purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder if you can. Even if the purchase price is a bit higher than a puppy from an online ad, getting a pup from a more reliable source can save you a lot of heartache (and money!) down the line by avoiding costly health issues and behavioral problems due to poor breeding. If you do opt to go ahead and purchase a puppy through on ad online, I would talk to the breeder/seller about the following things: 1) Make sure the puppies are AKC registered. Even if you want "just a pet", no responsible breeder would be breeding dogs that aren't AKC registered. It's a big red flag that you're dealing with a puppy mill or really careless backyard breeder. 2) Ask what health clearances the puppies' parents have had, and ask to see documentation. Depending on the breed, this might mean OFA hip/elbow x-rays, von Willebrand's disease testing, CERF screening for hereditary eye problems, etc. If they say that the parents are "vet checked", this doesn't mean much - they should have actual documentation of the testing that's been done to prove they're healthy breeding stock. 3) They should provide records of appropriate vaccinations and deworming with the puppy, and ideally the puppy should also have been checked by a vet for a heart murmur, umbilical hernia, etc. The breeder should have documentation of this also. I'm not aware of any kind of professional service where you can pay someone to go with you, but you could certainly ask a friend to come along for moral support and a second pair of eyes. Best of luck with your new puppy! :)

Buying a dog online? What to check, ask, and get from seller?

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