The " Puppy " Scam !

 The isolation and cessation of most forms of entertainment has renewed interest in many households to acquire  a " pet " and high on the list is the purchase of a puppy.  In this age of internet shopping that can have many dangers.

Making a purchase from a registered breeder ensures that the puppy will have all the characteristics and bloodlines of the breed you have selected but it would not be unusual if the asking price is $1,600 - or more.   For that you would expect the puppy to come with registration by the Kennel Control Council which is necessary if you intend to compete with your pet at dog shows.

Unfortunately, the puppy trade has been infiltrated by scammers.  Buyers are being enticed by pictures of a cute litter of puppies on the internet and rushed into sending a deposit to secure their choice.  They are then advised that the puppy is ready for shipping, and asked to pay the balance of the purchase.

All too often that is the last they see of their money - or the promised puppy.  It was a complete scam and those pictures were probably lifted from Facebook.  Often both the seller and the buyer are in different states, hence the purchase is made on trust as a necessity.

Lately, this scam has taken on a new dimension.  The scammers have stolen the identity of  reputable and well known breeders and use this to mask their fraud. It is not too hard to collate enough information to sound plausible and the main enticement is the picture of the puppies they are offering for sale.

Perhaps the basic caution would be buyers should take is to contact the KCC to ensure that the person selling is a registered breeder, and that the address and phone number corresponds with KCC records.  If there is a difference in city or state in the puppies on offer that should ring the necessary alarm bells and a direct enquiry with the breeder would also expose the scam.

Another scam actually delivers a pup as promised, but it is not registered with the KCC or has the breeding of the type advertised.   These are the output of backyard " puppy farms " that sell their output to pet shops.  The pups are of mixed breeds and can grow to a very different size and temperament than the breed selected by the buyer.

Choosing a breed is usually done for a reason.  You like the look of that type of dog and its size will comfortably fit your household.  The temperament is all important, particularly if the household pet will mix with children and this is very different, breed from breed.  Some dogs are bred for hunting and have aggressive personalities.

As a general rule, buyers should deal with breeders within a distance they can comfortably travel to select and pickup their purchase.  Reputable breeders welcome visitors and a clean and well managed breeding operation is the best guarantee that the puppy will be healthy and true to type.

Buying a puppy is a substantial purchase in money terms. The average lifetime of a dog is twelve years and a little time and effort will ensure that your time together will be compatible.