Buying a Puppy in Ireland: Advert and Seller Checklist

Irish puppy adverts must provide information that helps buyers trace the dog and seller. Use those details as the start of your checks, not as a substitute for meeting the puppy, viewing the premises and reading the original records.

Check the advert

Current Irish government guidance says dog advertisements must include the dog's microchip code, age and country of origin, along with the relevant seller, supplier, dog-breeding-establishment or charity registration information. Missing or inconsistent information is a reason to stop and ask for clarification before arranging a visit.

Verify who is selling

People who sell or supply six or more pet animals in a calendar year must generally be entered in the Irish Register of Sellers and Suppliers unless another stated exemption applies. Dog breeding establishments are registered through local authorities. Ask which registration applies and verify it with the responsible body rather than relying on a screenshot.

Visit the puppy at its home

See the puppy at the breeder's property with its mother. Avoid completing a purchase in a car park or through an unexplained delivery arrangement. Ask how the puppy was raised, fed and socialised, and compare the seller's answers with the advert and documents.

Match the microchip and records

Ask to see the microchip registration certificate and have the number checked. The Irish government states that a puppy should be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or before permanently leaving the place where it was born, whichever happens first. Also review veterinary records, vaccination history and any promised parent health-test evidence.

Make the final decision slowly

Do not let urgency replace verification. Keep the advert and messages, use a written agreement, and make sure the seller identity, puppy details and payment recipient are consistent. If something changes at collection, leave without the puppy and investigate first.

Keep this checklist separate from live availability

This is a document and seller-verification checklist for the Republic of Ireland, not an inventory page. The Ireland commercial hub shows puppies open to Ireland enquiries, with their actual location labelled. Northern Ireland has separate local guidance. If collection crosses a border, check official route-specific requirements before reserving.

Prepare a record pack for your vet

Keep the advert, puppy identifier, microchip certificate, vaccination card, treatment history, parent-screening evidence and signed agreement together. Write down outstanding vaccinations and the ownership-transfer steps. Arrange independent veterinary advice rather than treating a listing description as a completed health assessment.