Buying a dog online: how to recognise trustworthy sellers
Adequate housing, appropriate health care, enough time for weaning the pups. All this should be self-evident, but sadly not all dog breeders respect the directives on the protection of animals.
iStock / Nevena1987
The purchase of a dog should be a well-considered decision. Once you have decided to get a new family member, you should find a respectable breeder who sells healthy and well socialised animals. Unfortunately, many online sellers do profitable business with dogs that are "produced" under horrible conditions.
Not only should the immense suffering of the animals in such organisations make buyers reconsider, but the long-term repercussions for the owners can be dramatic. Due to the early separation from the mother and the brutal conditions under which the animals are kept, the dogs are scared, aggressive, disturbed and sick. After expensive but unsuccessful therapy, such animals are often abandoned at the animal shelter or have to be put down. At worst, they even carry dangerous infectious diseases.
When to grow suspicious
A breeder who offers a puppy that is just a few weeks old for sale at a few mouse clicks and is unable to provide a permission or a pedigree certificate for the animal is very likely involved in illegal puppy trade. When the meeting place suggested for the handover is a parking lot somewhere beyond the Swiss border, this should definitely set alarm bells ringing even for the most credulous buyer. Trustworthy offers from private individuals, animal shelters or breeders are not like that.
How to recognise respectable breeders
To make sure that the pooch you wish to buy has a happy background, there are a few clues that can help you. Respectable ads or websites can be recognised by the fact that they provide detailed information on the animal and the seller. The key points are the following:
Breed, gender, age or date of birth, country of origin
Information on required vaccination, deworming and implant of a microchip
Possibility to visit and contact details
Realistic, usual market price
How the animals are kept
Responsible breeders do not give away their puppies without having met the future owners first. They normally do not breed more than two to three breeds and only have a few litters each year. If there is a waiting period, this is proof of trustworthy work and love for the animals. This way, you can acquire your new family member with a good conscience and unadulterated anticipation. You can find important information on buying dogs from the Swiss Animal Protection (SAP) and the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) here (brochure not available in English).
Also important and often forgotten: pet insurance
People often do not think of the vet costs when buying their four-legged friend – and if they do, they often underestimate how expensive surgery or a vaccination can be. With a dog insurance, the costs that arise in the event of illness are limited: a dog can be insured starting from CHF 10.40 per month, depending on the provider.