Choosing a puppy: what to ask a breeder

Bringing a puppy into your home is an exciting milestone, but it's essential to ensure you're making the right decision for you, your family, and the puppy. Finding a responsible, ethical breeder is crucial to ensure your new furry friend gets the best start in life.

At Kellyville Pets, we’re committed to giving you peace of mind by offering puppies from ethical breeders who meet the highest standards. To help you navigate your decision, we've created this checklist of questions and considerations that we meet and expect of breeders we work with. Use it as a guide to ensure you’re choosing the right puppy from a reputable source.

1. What health guarantees do you offer?

Look for breeders who provide comprehensive health guarantees. At Kellyville Pets, we offer a 3-year extended health guarantee, so you can feel confident about your puppy’s future.

2. Are your puppies desexed?

Early desexing is a critical step for long-term health. We include free desexing (valued at $500) with every puppy.

3. Can I meet the puppy’s parents?

Knowing about the family tree helps predict the puppy’s temperament and health. We can provide information and photos of the puppy’s parents, ensuring transparency.

4. What ongoing support do you provide?

Reputable breeders should care about your success as a puppy parent. We offer My Puppy Book, free introductory pet insurance, Pet School (in-store or online), and staff support and follow-up to help you every step of the way.

5. What is your rehoming policy?

Ethical breeders have plans in place to ensure no puppy ends up in a shelter. We provide a lifetime rehoming policy to ensure the puppy is cared for, no matter the circumstances.

6. Are your breeder practices audited?

Ask if breeders are independently audited to ensure they meet ethical standards. We submit all breeder details to RSPCA and AWL NSW for random audits.