Have you made the decision to welcome a small puppy from a private seller? Wait a moment and read this informative blog post where I have shared my personal experience. Most owners turn to private sellers for more assistance and a healthy breed, and if you remain attentive to a few details, that could be a smart choice.

Getting a puppy from a private seller can be an excellent way to find a new companion, but it’s important to be informed and ready before you start looking. In this guide, we will discuss Things to know when buying a puppy from a private seller and What to ask when buying a dog privately.

Why should you read this article?

Simply put, purchasing a healthy puppy is not meant to be a pay-and-take deal. You must be cognizant that puppies shouldn’t be fraudulently traded and should also be in good health. You need to confirm the breed, the reputation of the private seller, the mother’s background, her record of vaccinations, and everything else. This post will show you the steps to take. Please keep reading.

Things to know when buying a puppy from a private seller

Buying a puppy from a private seller seems to be the easiest way to adopt your first puppy, but only if you take care of some do’s and don’ts. 34% of dog owners purchase their puppies directly from dog breeders, according to a PetlandTexas article. They do the right thing by actively participating in the entire purchasing process. You can do the same thing by using the checklists below.

Make an extensive List of reputable breeders

Finding a reputable breeder is the next (mandatory) task, and I am assuming you already know what breed of dog you want to buy. Finding trustworthy private sellers will not be too difficult; here are the easiest ways to do it:

• Veterinarians
• Local breed club
• Reputable dog trainers
• Consult with friends and neighbors (who own the dog)
• Search online

You can create a list of reputable dog breeders or private puppy sellers in this way. Now, let us move on to the following action.

Schedule a call with selected puppy sellers (and make inquiries)

Scheduling a call with the private vendors you chose in the previous step is the second most crucial action you must take when purchasing a puppy from a private seller. While you are bringing a little puppy into your home as a family member, your time, effort, and money shouldn’t go in vain.

To avoid these situations, schedule a call to the private seller and ask as many questions as possible before you physically make a visit there. But What should I ask when buying a dog privately? Here are a few questions to ask when buying a puppy from a private seller:

• How old is the puppy? (The ideal age should be 3 weeks to 10 months at the time of buying.)
• Is her mother healthy and lactating?
• Has the health of the parents been checked for breed-specific conditions?
• What is the age of the puppy’s mother? (A healthy mother gives birth to a healthy puppy, so this is an important question to ask before purchasing a puppy.)
• Are puppies weaned? At the age of 7 or 8 weeks, a puppy should be completely weaned.
• If the puppy develops any health issues, can I return it?
• Are they human-friendly? (They should not be aggressive)
• Are you a licensed breeder? And if so, can you provide documentation of that license? (This may be a difficult question, but it must be asked before making a purchase.)

Make a visit to the breeder’s house before buying a puppy from a private seller

Once you have finished asking the fundamental questions, proceed to the next crucial step, things to know before buying a puppy from a private seller. Now, make a physical inspection at the house of the breeder and take a close look at the condition of the puppy and her mother. If you are buying a puppy for the first time, it is obvious that you know very little about puppies. In this case, you can again ask questions before buying your first puppy.

When you go to a breeder’s home to purchase a puppy, you should ask them the following questions:

• When did you start raising this breed? Remember, the history, temperament, and health of the breed will all be familiar to a reputable breeder who has been breeding it for a long time.
• Can I meet the puppy’s parents? To learn more about the puppy’s health and complexion, you should visit both its mother and father.
• Have the puppies been socialized? To ensure that puppies grow up to be well-adjusted dogs, proper socialization needs to start early.
• Have the puppies undergone any health examinations? Reputable breeders will have the puppy’s health examined for prevalent breed-specific genetic diseases.
• When can I take the puppy home? Reputable breeders will not let you take a puppy home the same day you visit. They will want to make sure that you are a good fit for the puppy. Yes, reputable breeders also care for their puppies.
• What kind of assistance will be offered by the breeder once brings the puppy home? Once you take the puppy home, a trustworthy breeder will provide you with assistance. They will be on hand to respond to your inquiries and assist you with any issues you might experience.

If you feel uncomfortable with the breeder or the situation, walk away. There are plenty of other reputable breeders out there, check your list again.

Meanwhile, here are some additional things to know before buying a puppy from private sellers and visiting their home.

• Cleanliness and upkeep should be standards in the environment.
• The puppies must be well-groomed, healthy, and socialized.
• If you have any questions, the breeder should be able to address them. If breeders are unable to do so, just walk away, it is not the right choice.
• The breeder ought to be amenable to you taking the puppy home for a trial period.

Is the private seller licensed and certified

Although reputable private sellers are always certified and licensed by government agencies. It is not advisable to buy your first puppy from a seller who owns multiple breeds of dogs even if it is licensed. These sellers might not be serious about their business and could have unhealthy puppies.

Since you are investing your time and money in buying the first puppy from a private seller, you shouldn’t hesitate to ask for their license and certification documents. The more you dig deeper, the better the result you get once your little guest enters the home.

The fact that most of the private sellers work on a smaller scale and can devote more time, affection, and attention to their puppy litter is one of the advantages of purchasing a puppy from one of these individuals. 

It’s prudent not to presume that all private sellers adhere to high standards of conduct, nevertheless. Make your own to-do list and take full accountability up until the furry friend arrives at your house. Let’s understand what paperwork is needed when you are first time buying a puppy from a private seller.

Ask for and Prepare the documents

Once you finish the to-do list above, you might have the question – What paperwork should I get when buying a puppy? When addressing things to know when purchasing a puppy from a private seller, this is by far the most crucial step. Any form of purchase involves paperwork, therefore it is a red flag if the seller offers a lower price to make up for documentation.

Depending on local legislation, several forms of paperwork may be needed when you are first time buying a puppy from a private seller. But there are a few typical documents you might be requested to hand over or acquire:

• Puppy contract: This is a written agreement that specifies the conditions of the transaction, including the puppy’s cost, the breeder’s warranties, and the duties of both parties involved.
• Registration documents: You might be provided a copy of the puppy’s registration documents if it is registered with a particular breed group.
• Documents pertaining to the puppy’s health: A veterinarian’s wellness certificate and the puppy’s most recent vaccination records ought to be present.
• Unique Identification Number: The puppy should be microchipped with a unique identification number.
• Pedigree: If the puppy is purebred, you may be given a copy of its pedigree.

When buying a puppy for the first time from a private seller, the buyer has to adhere to these vital precautions. You shouldn’t skip these measures, even if you are an experienced buyer. After all, you are welcoming a little new guest into your home, and you are unlikely to want to be an unhealthy one.

Final Thoughts On Things To Know before buying a puppy from a private seller

I hope this piece of writing was interesting to you and that you benefited something from it. We also discreetly discussed the questions to ask when buying a puppy. Later on, we’ll talk about puppy selection pitfalls to watch out for and other helpful advice for first-time puppy adopters. Bookmark this page and sign up for our newsletter to get articles delivered right to your inbox.