Most people walk into a puppy visit with a list of questions in their head and walk out having asked about two of them. It's hard to remember anything with an eight-week-old chewing your shoelaces. So print this list, or screenshot it, and take it with you. The questions work the same whether you're buying from a breeder or a pet shop, or adopting from a rescue, and a good seller will be happy to answer every one.
Ask these on the phone before you visit
A quick call saves you a wasted trip. If the answers to these are vague, you don't need to see the puppy.
| Question | A good answer sounds like |
|---|---|
| What's your breeder identification number (BIN), or your rehoming organisation number? | A number they give you straight away, which you can check on the NSW Pet Registry |
| What's the puppy's microchip number? | They have it ready. In NSW a puppy must be microchipped before it's sold or given away |
| How old will the puppy be when I take it home? | At least 8 weeks. Puppies can't legally be sold any younger in NSW |
| Can I visit and see where the puppies are raised? | Yes, at their home or premises. Not a car park, a servo or "we'll deliver" |
Questions about where the puppy came from
- Can I see mum? She should be there, friendly and in reasonable condition. If dad is on site, ask to meet him too.
- Where were the puppies raised? Inside a home, with everyday noise and people around, is what you want to hear.
- How many litters has mum had? NSW now limits breeding dogs to five litters in their lifetime.
- At a pet shop: which breeder did this puppy come from? Ask for the breeder's BIN as well as the puppy's microchip number.
- At a rescue: what do you know about this dog's history? Ask how it has behaved in foster care, and with kids, cats and other dogs.
Questions about health and vet care
| Question | What to check |
|---|---|
| Which vaccinations has the puppy had, and when is the next one due? | A vaccination card signed by a vet. Most puppies have their first vaccination at 6 to 8 weeks |
| When was it last wormed, and with what? | Dates and product names written down for you |
| Has a vet checked the puppy? | The date of the check and anything the vet found |
| Have the parents been health tested? | Results for problems common in the breed, such as hips, elbows or eyes |
| What flea, tick and worm prevention is it on? | Ask whether it covers paralysis ticks, which are a real risk along the NSW coast |
Write the answers down. A puppy that seems fine in someone's lounge room can still be carrying worms or an infection, so book your own vet check in the first few days either way.
Questions about temperament and early training
- What has the puppy already been used to: car trips, vacuums, children, other dogs?
- How does it compare to its littermates? Is it the bold one, the cuddly one or the shy one?
- Has it started toilet training or crate training?
- What is it eating, how much and how often? Ask for a few days' supply so you can keep the food the same at first.
Questions about what happens after you take it home
- What happens if it doesn't work out? A responsible breeder or rescue should take the dog back at any age rather than see it end up in a pound.
- Is there a health guarantee, and what does it cover? Get it in writing.
- Can I contact you with questions later? Good breeders and rescues expect to hear from you.
- What paperwork comes with the puppy? You should leave with the vaccination card, worming record, microchip details and care information, plus pedigree papers if you're paying for a registered purebred.
After you take your puppy home, make sure its NSW Pet Registry record is transferred into your name.
Questions a good seller will ask you
Expect to be asked about your home, your yard, your working hours, whether you've had a dog before and who will look after the puppy day to day. A breeder or rescue who asks nothing about you probably isn't too worried about where their puppies end up.
Answers that mean you should leave without the puppy
Walk away if the seller won't give you a BIN or microchip number, has no vaccination record, or pushes you to pay a deposit before you've seen the puppy. At a breeder, the same goes for not letting you meet mum, a "mum is at another property" story, or several breeds of puppy for sale at the same time.
Take the list and take your time
Asking all of this can feel awkward when the puppy is right in front of you, but a good seller expects it and will answer without hesitation. If you'd like to talk through the answers you've been given, or what to set up before the puppy comes home, our dog team in Beaumont Hills can go over it with you.
