What you need to know
Ask who owns the animal, where it was born and lives, what health and identity records exist, whether you can see the puppy live, who receives payment, what the deposit reserves, when ownership changes and how cancellation or failed handover is handled. Record the answers and compare them with the documents.
Decision checklist
- ✓Open questions reveal more than yes/no assurances.
- ✓The seller’s answers should match records and contract.
- ✓Ask about problems, not only ideal outcomes.
- ✓Handover responsibilities must be named.
Questions about the breeder and animal
Ask: What is your full name and location? Are you the breeder and current owner? Where was the litter born? May I see the puppy live with its current environment? What is the puppy’s date of birth, microchip status and veterinary history?
Listen for specific, stable answers. Responsible sellers may need time to retrieve a record, but their core identity and animal story should not change between conversations.
Questions about the transaction
Ask: Whose name is on the payment account? What exactly does the deposit reserve? Is it refundable and under which conditions? What will the final agreement contain? At what point does ownership transfer?
Request the terms in writing before paying. Vague promises such as ‘everything included’ are difficult to enforce and easy to reinterpret later.
Questions about handover
Ask who will physically release the animal, who selects the carrier, what the timeline depends on and what happens if documents, health status or travel arrangements are not ready. A safe plan has named responsibilities and a stop condition.
For cross-border movement, first determine whether the journey is a private non-commercial movement or connected to sale/change of ownership; different requirements may apply. Check current official rules for the exact countries and movement type.
Pause pointIf a seller discourages written questions or says verification will make you lose the puppy, step back.
Quick answers
Should I ask all questions in one message?+
Use the checklist, but a short call followed by a written summary is often clearer. What matters is that the final answers can be checked.
What if the seller answers but provides no documents?+
Treat verbal answers as unverified. Do not pay until essential claims can be connected to records or other reliable evidence.
Can a breeder use a different payment name?+
There may be a legitimate reason, but it needs a documented explanation and should be reflected in the agreement. A surprise third-party recipient is a high-risk change.
Sources and verification
We prioritise first-party public guidance and show the sources used for factual rule or consumer-safety claims. Always check current requirements for your jurisdiction and route.
Read our editorial and safety policy →