How do I distinguish reputable breeders from puppy dealers?
A genuine breeder has a breed they know inside out after years of experience. Perhaps one litter every two to three years – not every year, not on demand. They test their breeding animals for hereditary diseases before even considering mating: HD, ED, eyes, depending on the breed. They know the puppies by name, observe them daily and can tell you which puppy suits which family. They reserve the right to refuse to give you their puppy if they feel it is not right. They want to meet you. They want to see your home. They want to know where their dog ends up. And after handover? They remain reachable. You can call if something is wrong. In an emergency, they take their dog back.
A puppy dealer, on the other hand, always has puppies. Several breeds, permanent availability, changing advertisements. They work with strong photos, emotion, sometimes time pressure and suspiciously low prices. Advance payment is demanded, questions go unanswered, your home does not interest them. After handover they are hard to reach – or tell you bluntly and clearly that problems are now your concern. The papers are unclear, the origin questionable, and not infrequently the dogs come from backyard breeder facilities abroad.
Puppy trade statistics
In Germany, an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 puppies are sired annually. Of these, around 63,400 are VDH-registered – i.e. produced under controlled breeding. The rest is distributed among hobby breeders, illegal backyard breeders and importers. The puppy trade today operates mainly via Facebook, Instagram and classifieds portals. A puppy sold there with emotions and artificial time pressure comes with high probability from backyard breeder structures. Veterinary authorities can only control a fraction of cases – the unreported number is enormous.
In short: Anyone buying a puppy statistically buys more often from a dubious source than from a good one – unless they really do their homework thoroughly.
The handover age: why 8 weeks is non-negotiable
The statutory minimum handover age is 8 weeks – in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. This is not an arbitrary number, but developmental biology. Until this age a puppy needs its mother: for immune system development via antibodies in the milk, for socialisation with the siblings, for a basic sense of security. Puppies handed over at five or six weeks later more frequently show fear, aggression, learning problems and weakened immune defences.
A breeder who hands over a puppy before the eight-week limit not only violates the law – they rob the animal of a critical phase of its development. No reputable breeder does that. If someone offers you a six-week-old puppy, that is no room for negotiation. That is a warning signal.
Breeding for harmful traits (Qualzucht) breeds: where you should not buy
The Pug cannot breathe normally, cannot play normally, and most bitches cannot give birth naturally – caesarean section is standard, not the exception. The Bulldog struggles with the same problems. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel develops heart failure in around 50% of the breed by the fifth year of life. The Dachshund carries a structurally increased risk of disc herniation and paralysis due to its long back.
These breeds fall under § 11b TSchG (ban on breeding for harmful traits) in Germany if they show the typical characteristics of breeding for harmful traits prominently. In practice, they continue to be bred because control is porous. If you love Pugs – and one certainly can –, then wait for the rare breeders who actively distance themselves from these standards for breeding for harmful traits, advocate for breathing tests and consciously avoid extreme shortening of the snout. They are rare. But they exist.
Costs: why a reputable puppy is not cheap
A reputable breeder charges between 1,000 and 2,500 euros for a puppy, even more for large breeds. Behind this is no luxury surcharge, but a sober calculation: food for the pregnant mother, health tests (HD, ED, eyes: 200 to 500 euros just for that), veterinary care for mother and litter, vaccinations and deworming for each individual puppy, club membership, stud book entry – and hundreds of hours of time for socialisation over eight weeks. If one calculates roughly: 2,000 to 3,000 euros costs per litter, six to eight puppies, makes 250 to 500 euros costs per animal – before club and stud book fees. A large profit does not remain there. Anyone breeding seriously does so out of passion and needs at least cost coverage.
A puppy for 300 euros from an online ad? It comes from a backyard breeder facility, without health tests, without animal welfare standards. That is simply cheap production.
FAQ
How do I recognise a reputable breeder?
Go through these points: 1) VDH membership present (if you are looking for a breed with a VDH standard). 2) Health tests verifiable – HD/ED findings, eye assessments available. 3) At most one litter every two to three years. 4) Breeder knows the puppies, observes them daily. 5) Asks about your living situation and wants to meet you in person. 6) Reserves the right to reject you as a buyer. 7) Remains reachable after handover. 8) Issues a written contract. 9) Speaks openly about possible hereditary diseases and actively works to reduce them. 10) Demands a realistic price from 1000 euros upwards. If all ten points apply, it is reputable.
How much does a pedigree puppy from a reputable breeder cost?
In Germany, the range is between 1000 and 2500 euros. Small breeds rather between 1000 and 1500 euros, large breeds between 1500 and 2500 euros. For working lines such as the German Shepherd Dog, even 2000 euros and more are justified. Anything significantly below is a warning signal. Anything significantly above must be very transparently justified.
How old must a puppy be before it is given away?
At least 8 weeks – this is the law in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Ideally even 10 to 12 weeks, because the puppy is then more mature and has often already received a second dose of vaccination. Anything less is an interference with the development of the animal and frequently illegal. A breeder who gives away before the eight-week limit is not reputable – regardless of what they explain to you.
Are breeds bred for harmful traits really a problem?
Yes. The Pug cannot breathe properly. The Bulldog cannot give birth on its own. The Dachshund carries a structural risk of paralysis. These dogs suffer – not because of poor keeping, but because of the breeding standard itself. If you love one of these breeds, then support the few breeders who fight against these standards – not those who further cement them.
Why shouldn’t I take an online puppy offer?
Because uncontrolled online sales make backyard breeders possible in the first place. Because you cannot see under what conditions the mother dogs live. Because the parent animals have most likely not been tested. Because there is no take-back guarantee. And because time pressure and emotions together systematically undermine your rational judgement. Search locally. Search for breeders you can actually visit.