When you purchase your puppy, your breeder should provide you with certain paperwork. Some will be legal documents, others will provide information on how to take care of your puppy as well as details of the veterinary treatments they have had so far.
Before you hand over any money, it is important to ask the breeder what kind of paperwork you should expect.
What paperwork should be in your puppy pack?
A signed copy of your contract of sale (otherwise known as a puppy contract)
This legal document protects both yourself and the seller and ensures that there is documentation of all that was promised and agreed upon. This contract will need to be signed by both parties.
What should a puppy contract contain?
The contract should contain information about the puppy, as well as both yours and the breeder's details. It should also contain details of warranty or health claims made by the breeder, and any responsibilities or agreements that you make to the breeder.
Take a look at an example of a puppy contract that we recommend for our assured breeders.
Papers from The Kennel Club
If the dog is advertised as registered with The Kennel Club, you should ensure that you take receipt of the registration certificate from The Kennel Club. This will contain information and options on how you can transfer the ownership into your name.
If the registration certificate is not available at the time of purchase, ensure that you receive confirmation in writing from the breeder that this will be sent to you when it's available.
- Your puppy’s pedigree (family tree)
- Details about your puppy’s microchip
- Information about your puppy’s vaccination and worming treatments
- Copies of health certificates regarding the puppy's mother and father
Insurance details (if the breeder has chosen to insure the puppy)
Just like us, pets will at some point fall ill or have an unexpected injury. But with pets there is no NHS to absorb the cost. Pet insurance helps owners plan for unexpected vet fees and this is usually the reason owners choose to insure their pets.
- socialisation, exercise and training information
- information about the breed, including advice on grooming
- feeding advice
- worming regime (when puppy was last wormed, product used and when next worming is due)
- immunisation regime (what vaccinations, if any, have been done or which vaccines are recommended)