Rogue lockdown breeders caused 'explosion' of sick dog breeds in South West, research reveals – Cornwall Live

The Kennel Club has now issued a stark warning for action in the face of an “unprecedented” welfare disaster
Shocking new research has revealed that rogue breeding of puppies has created an "explosion" of dog breeds with health and behavioural problems which can no longer be adequately looked after by their owners, as the cost of living continues to soar. The Kennel Club, the UK's largest organisation dedicated to dog health, welfare and training, has now issued 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, with 29% of puppy buyers in the South West having paid for their puppy before seeing it in real life. This, combined with the fact that 16% 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.
Now, as the cost of living continues to spiral, there are fears for the long-term future of tens of thousands of pups needing expensive behavioural and veterinary care. The research has revealed that nationally, 40% 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.
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There are also indications of an increase in "impulse" puppy purchases, as 69% of owners in the South West also weren't asked about their suitability for dog ownership in the first place, with buyers not fully understanding the responsibilities and commitment that comes with owning a dog.
Speaking about the findings, Mark Beazley, chief executive at The Kennel Club, said: “Thousands of puppies and dog owners are suffering and this research really does show a damning portrait of our puppy buying nation. 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 rogue dog breeding is revealed to be driven by a lack of puppy buyer awareness, with 28% of owners in the South West admitting they didn’t know the signs of a puppy farm when looking and 22% now suspecting their breeder was operating illegally. Worryingly, 35% 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.”
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