- Not permitting people to meet the mother of the puppies
- Not permitting people to see where the puppies are raised
- Bitches are bred back to back heat cycles
- Sellers are not interested in the type of home you can provide, not asking buyers to fill in an application
- Sellers not requiring a home visit whether it be in person or virtual
- Reluctancy to show you the premises
- Breeding dogs without health testing certificates
- The seller has more than 2 breeds of dogs for sale
- The seller offering to meet you somewhere other than where the dogs live – NEVER meet someone in a parking lot to pick up the dog!
- Asking for cash only as payment
- Not providing a sales receipt showing sales tax & CRA #
- Seller not willing to take a dog back for any reason and any age
- Selling puppies younger than 8 weeks of age
- The health certificate is not stamped/signed by a Veterinarian
- Misrepresenting dogs as registered
- Hiding the lack of health testing with DNA testing (all of the above)
- Selling breeds that are in particular high demand
- Having breeding animals in guardian homes where the breeder is listed as the sole owner and where more than 2 litters are contractually required
TRUST YOUR GUT !!!!
IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE:
And please remember, a seller stating they are members of the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) does NOT mean they are ethical. It means they paid their annual fee to be a member. Also, CKC can also mean Continental Kennel Club.
A seller stating they are a “Licensed Kennel”, again don’t be fooled that this means legitimate. In many municipalities they pay their annual fee and they are Licensed. If a municipality does do an annual inspection they are booked ahead…random show up’s? – NOPE!