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UK BUYER RESOURCE

Buying a puppy in the UK

A practical checklist based on current government guidance. Licensing rules differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so verify the seller with the authority responsible for the premises.

Before you visit

  • Ask for the seller's full name, address and the address where the puppy was born and raised.
  • If the seller says a licence is required, obtain the licence holder's name, number and issuing council, then verify them with that council.
  • Ask for the puppy's date of birth, microchip number and copies of available veterinary and parent health-test records.
  • Search the seller's phone number and images for repeated advertisements or multiple unrelated litters.

At the visit

Meet the puppy at the place it was bred, with its mother and litter where possible. Check that the environment and the dogs you see are consistent with the advertisement. Do not accept a car park, delivery-only or other neutral handover as a substitute.

Inspect original documents and match the microchip number, seller details and puppy details. Ask a vet for advice if the puppy appears unwell or if a document cannot be explained.

Before you pay

Do not let urgency replace verification. Get the agreed price, health information, deposit terms, collection arrangements and any return or support terms in writing. Keep the advertisement, messages, receipt and contract.

Official sources

Buying a cat or dogBuyer checks, meeting the mother, records, minimum age and licence information. Source: GOV.UK / Defra.Dog breeding licence (England)When an English breeder needs a licence and what licensed operators must display. Source: GOV.UK / Defra.What you need to know before you buy a puppyOfficial Northern Ireland advice on choosing, settling and caring for a puppy. Source: nidirect.

Sources reviewed 7 September 2026. This page is general information, not legal or veterinary advice.

Buying in the Republic of Ireland? Use the separate Ireland buyer guide.