New research shows ‘explosion’ of sick dogs bred by rogue breeders in Wales

NEW RESEARCH SHOWS ‘EXPLOSION’ OF SICK DOGS BRED BY ROGUE BREEDERS IN WALES

Dog welfare experts warn of impending and unprecedented welfare disaster amidst spiralling cost of living

• Murky and dangerous world of puppy buying and breeding exposed, as more than one in four Welsh owners admit not meeting their puppy in person before buying
• Almost one in five pups in the nation die or get sick before their first birthday, with owners suffering heartache, guilt and serious financial consequences
• Coupled with a spiralling cost of living, The Kennel Club fears worsening welfare crisis for sick dogs sold to duped owners, as more than a quarter of those in Wales fear they won’t be able to afford to keep their dog
• The Kennel Club urges the public to Be Puppywise, prioritise health and go to a Kennel Club Assured Breeder

Shocking new research has revealed an explosion in rogue breeding of puppies with health and behavioural problems who can no longer be adequately looked after by their owners, as the cost of living continues to soar. This has led dog welfare organisation The Kennel Club to issue a stark warning about the need for action, in the face of an unprecedented welfare disaster.

The research from The Kennel Club as part of its Be Puppywise campaign shows the hidden virtual world of dog buying is becoming increasingly the norm, as more than a quarter (28%) of Welsh puppy buyers paid for their puppy before seeing it in real life. This, combined with the fact that more than one in five (21%) in the region had their puppy delivered or picked it up from a neutral location – a common practice during lockdown – has enabled duplicitous sellers to disguise horrific breeding conditions and the true background of the puppies sold to unaware owners.

The murky world of dog breeding is having dramatic consequences for pets in Wales:

• Shockingly nearly one in five (17%) pups get sick or die before their first birthday

• Almost one in ten (8%) developed unexpected behavioural issues
• And more than one in ten owners suffered emotional (16%) hardship during their puppy buying experience.

As the cost of living continues to spiral, there are fears for the long-term future for tens of thousands of pups needing expensive behavioural and veterinary care, as the research reveals that nationally, 40 per cent of those who didn’t see their puppy before buying are afraid that they can no longer afford the cost, whilst rogue breeders could potentially be dumping pups they can no longer sell.

Furthermore, 72% of Welsh owners also weren’t asked about their suitability for dog ownership in the first place, indicating an increasing likelihood of impulse pup purchases, with buyers not fully understanding the responsibilities and commitment that comes with owning a dog. These shocking statistics have led  welfare organisation The Kennel Club to warn of an impending welfare disaster of devastating proportions.

“Thousands of puppies and dog owners are suffering and this research really does show a damning portrait of our puppy buying nation,” commented Mark Beazley, Chief Executive at The Kennel Club. “The virtual puppy buying habits that were normalised during lockdown – which have enabled shady breeders to thrive – have combined in a perfect and terrible storm with the cost of living crisis. This means that thousands of people who have been duped are now struggling to care for dogs with health and behavioural problems, who are sadly the victims of this unprecedented set of circumstances.”

The spiralling growth of the shady world of dog breeding is revealed to be driven by a lack of puppy buyer awareness, with more than a quarter (26%) of owners in Wales admitting they didn’t know the signs of a puppy farm when looking, and 15% now suspecting their breeder was operating illegally. Worryingly, almost two in five (38%) said that they bought via an advert with red flag words that should give cause for suspicion, such as ‘ready to go now’ or ‘puppy delivery available’. 

Mark continued: “With the world of puppy breeding and buying getting more and more difficult to navigate, it’s crucial that would-be owners know exactly what to look for when buying a puppy. Be cautious of adverts using words that try to lure you in with promises of ‘rare’ or ‘exotic’ dogs, or a quick sale, as a good breeder, such as a Kennel Club Assured Breeder, will always ask questions about your suitability for dog ownership, and you will often need to be prepared to go on a waiting list. You should see the puppy interacting with its mum, where it was bred and reared in real life, so clever guises, marketing ploys or tactics to disguise a puppy’s true background to simply make a huge profit, are exposed.

“For anyone thinking about getting a dog, please avoid this heartache and incredible suffering, and make sure you find a responsible breeder, who absolutely prioritises your dog’s welfare above anything else.”

Following this urgent warning, The Kennel Club is providing advice and practical resources – from videos to top tips – for would-be owners to help them Be Puppywise as part of its campaign: thekennelclub.org.uk/bepuppywise. The organisation is also urging responsible and caring breeders, or those thinking of breeding, to join its Assured Breeders Scheme and help buyers find a well-bred and care for puppy more easily.