Do you have a question? Our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How can I tell whether an advertisement is serious?
This is very difficult because addresses, photos and other details about the dog are often falsified. However, you will often notice discrepancies or contradictions if you check the advertisement carefully. Our “Checklist for buying a dog” gives you tips on what you should look out for in the advertisements. It is also essential to get an idea of the dog breeding on site. Whenever possible, the puppy and its mother should be visited at the breeding site before purchase, preferably several times.
How do I recognize bad dog breeding?
The best way to recognize a dubious dog breeder is to visit the breeder on site. Hygiene often leaves a lot to be desired, the dogs are dirty and their coats look unkempt. They often have little space, no exercise and know nothing other than their place of birth. They have little contact with people and no family connection.
What are the advantages of serious breeding?
Reputable breeders and organizations offer a return guarantee, in-depth advice and support before and after the purchase, the parent animals (and puppies) are tested for diseases and character, the breeders pay attention to which puppy suits you best.
What can happen if I buy a dog from dubious breeders or puppy dealers?
The dogs often have to be freed from parasites, and many are also ill and sometimes need medication for the rest of their lives. Many puppies also have hereditary defects that only become visible over time (breathing problems, misaligned teeth and bones, skin rashes and allergies, etc.). In addition, the dogs have often been through terrible experiences, are traumatized and develop behavioural disorders (anxiety disorders, uncleanliness, aggression, etc.). Treating these animals requires a lot of patience, time and money for therapy. Dogs that cannot be treated are put to sleep, difficult dogs often simply end up in a shelter.
If the papers have been forged and the origin of the dog is unclear, it can be confiscated by the veterinary office and, in the worst case, even euthanized.
What should I do if I have been taken in and bought a dog from a dubious supplier?
The dog should be taken to a veterinary practice immediately and given a medical examination to rule out parasites and diseases and to identify any physical damage. To ensure that the perpetrators can be prosecuted, it is important to document all incidents in detail and report them to the police. Further information can be found here.
What can I do if I have found dubious offers?
Report suspicious advertisements to the operators of the platform by e-mail or using the internal reporting function. If an entire website looks dubious, report it to the FSVO, the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office: info(at)blv.admin.ch.
If you only realize later that you are dealing with a dubious offer (for example, when visiting the kennel or during the handover), report this immediately to the competent cantonal veterinary office.
In the case of foreign dogs, also inform the local veterinary authority in the country of origin. Never buy dogs from suspicious sellers – not even out of pity. Dubious breeding and illegal trade can only be stopped if there is no profit.
How can I tell if a platform is reputable?
Check the details in the legal notice to see whether the location and providers exist. If no address or no location is given or the data protection regulations are missing, this is already suspicious. Also read the delivery conditions, if the dogs are brought from abroad within a few days, it is certainly not reputable. And is there anything in the terms and conditions about advice, warranty and a right of return in the event of problems? If you are unsure whether the online platform is reputable, you can also search the Internet for reviews. Dishonest sites often have negative reviews from disappointed customers.
What can I do against the illegal puppy trade?
platform operators. Report illegally imported dogs, suspicious observations or dubious activities directly to the police or the nearest veterinary authority (cantonal veterinary office). Make people you know who want to buy a dog aware of the dangers of the illegal puppy trade. You can find more information and tips here.
How do I recognize a reputable dog breeder?
If you want to buy a healthy puppy, it is important that it comes from a good kennel. Our information sheet “How to recognize a reputable dog breeding” gives you tips on the criteria you should look out for.
What should I look out for when buying a puppy?
Take a look at our “Checklist for buying a dog“, which explains how to proceed in just a few steps.
How do I recognize illegal puppy trading?
Look out for inconsistencies in the advertisements, statements or descriptions of the dogs advertised. Contradictions indicate lies! Extremely cheap prices are also suspicious. Ask critical questions about the dog’s origin, pedigree, breeding location and parents, husbandry and socialization, pedigree and vaccinations. The providers should also take an interest in the fate of the dogs and ask whether you have enough time and experience to raise a puppy. If the providers do not ask any questions, it is dubious. Even if you are unable to visit the breeding location and mother. Also ask to see the pedigree and the pet passport with the vaccinations and check whether the same chip number is entered everywhere.
Should I buy a dog to save it?
Many puppies and dogs suffer from cruelty and mistreatment and from poor housing conditions. However, it does not help to buy such a dog for free, because every animal sold boosts the “production” of such dogs and promotes the business model of criminal dog traffickers. You should therefore never buy a dog out of pity if it comes from a dubious breed.
What does dubious breeding mean?
Dubious breeding means that the dogs are kept and bred under conditions that are contrary to animal welfare. They sometimes live in very confined spaces and are unable to fulfill their needs. The hygienic conditions are often terrible. It is all about profiting from the animals, they are not treated as living beings. The bad experiences often lead to behavioral problems. But the breeding selection is also dubious, because animals with physical defects are not excluded from breeding, but mated on, so that the breeding defects are passed on and the puppies suffer greatly as a result (breathing problems, hip problems, skin problems, etc.).
What is illegal puppy trading?
Illegal puppy trade means that the legal requirements of the EU or Switzerland are not complied with. This applies to both import and export regulations. In particular, a certain minimum age must be observed for puppies (EU: cross-border trade only from 15 weeks, Switzerland from 8 weeks). In addition, dogs need a microchip and a pet passport and must also have a valid rabies vaccination to cross the border in the EU.
When is the trade in puppies illegal?
A trade is considered illegal if any provision of domestic legislation relating to animal welfare, epidemics or trade law has been violated. This can be the age of the dog if it was separated from its mother 8 weeks ago, but it can also be a missing microchip or a missing or falsified pet passport, or the border crossing was not carried out correctly if, for example, the dog comes from a rabies risk country and does not meet the conditions or if it was not declared at customs and VAT was not paid.