06/01/2025
When you’re searching for a puppy, it’s crucial to know what to look for, and what to avoid. Here’s your ultimate guide!
🌿 GREEN FLAGS (Signs of a Good Breeder)
✅ Transparency: Open about their breeding practices, health testing, and policies.
✅ Website + Social Media: They have an active, well-designed website and social media presence, with clear, updated info about their dogs and program.
✅ Dedicated parent sections: Their website includes a page for each parent dog, with multiple photos and detailed health testing info (OFA/PennHIP + genetic panels, not just “clear” talk!).
✅ Multiple real-life photos of the parent dogs: Clean, indoor shots, not just staged outdoor photos.
✅ Clean, cozy environment: Puppies are raised inside, in a safe and social setting, no outdoor kennels or sheds.
✅ Health testing beyond genetics:,They share OFA/PennHIP and other important screenings.
✅ Mom and babies together: Real daily life photos and videos that show mom caring for puppies.
✅ Videos of puppies playing and socializing: Proof of proper socialization and enrichment.
✅ Regular updates: New pictures and videos of every litter and the parents, no recycled parent photos.
✅ Clear, honest answers: They’re patient and open when you ask questions.
✅ Litter announcements in advance: They plan litters carefully and post them ahead of time, not just always breeding.
✅ Structured curriculum & early socialization: They talk about raising puppies on a structured curriculum, exposing them to different textures, sights, and sounds, early potty training, and confidence-building activities to set them up for success.
✅ Websites to look for – Ethical breeders often list on platforms like Good Dog (but still do your homework), AKC Marketplace (for AKC breeds), and breed club directories.
🚨 RED FLAGS (Big Warning Signs)
❌ No parent pictures: Or just a single recycled photo or only outdoor shots.
❌ No mom-with-puppy photos or videos: Puppies should always be seen with their mom or littermates.
❌ No real-life videos of puppies playing or interacting: No sign of socialization.
❌ Not showing how they raise puppies: They don’t share how they prepare puppies for the real world (like early potty training, socialization, or enrichment activities).
❌ No social media presence : They have no real or active social media to show you updates or insights.
❌ Breeding multiple breeds at once: Doodles, Yorkies, Frenchies, oh my? That’s not a focused program.
❌ Puppies ready too soon: Selling puppies under 8 weeks old? 🚩
❌ Evasive or defensive when questioned: “going to hell away from They don’t want to share real info.
❌ No proof of real health testing : “We test” isn’t enough. Show us!
❌ No real home environment shown: Only fancy setups, never real life with dogs.
❌ Websites To Avoid- Watch out for mass puppy sale sites like PuppyFind, Greenfield Puppies, Lancaster Puppies, Next Day Pets, Puppies.com, Hoobly, and PuppySpot-these often list backyard breeders and puppy mills.
❌ Avoid pet shops and Petland - These puppies often come from backyard breeders, puppy mills, or Amish mills. No ethical breeder would sell to a pet store because:
• They care deeply about matching each puppy to the right home.
• They maintain lifelong responsibility for every puppy they produce.
• Puppies deserve real family beginnings, not glass cages under bright lights.
• Pet stores sell to whoever pays, not the right family.
❌ Avoid breeders selling puppies in flea markets or parking lots- This is a huge red flag. Ethical breeders want to meet you in a safe, controlled environment and ensure the best match for each puppy. Flea markets and parking lots show a lack of care and responsibility.
🔍 Why it matters:
Ethical breeders put in the time, money, and care to raise healthy, social puppies and support you for life. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and demand transparency your future puppy deserves nothing less! 🐾✨
