K9PN does not breed, sell or train dogs. We pass your request to an experienced professional who serves your area.
How to buy a puppy UK
How to buy a puppy in the UK, step by step
Buying a puppy is a 10 to 15 year commitment that is easy to rush. This UK guide covers Lucy’s Law, choosing a breeder, checking health, reading the contract and bringing the puppy home. K9PN refers you to professionals and does not sell dogs.
- Eight steps, with UK rules
- Free to request, takes about two minutes
- K9PN does not sell dogs
Find a puppy from a professionalTell us what you are looking for, with your full postcode, so we can look for a professional who covers your area.K9PN is a referral service and does not train dogs. Your details are shared with the trainer we refer you to so they can contact you about your request. See our Privacy Policy for how we use your data and your rights under UK GDPR.
Key takeaways
- Always see the puppy with its mother where it was born and raised.
- In England you cannot lawfully buy a puppy under six months from a third-party dealer.
- Ask for BVA/Kennel Club health scores and a written contract, and never pay a deposit unseen.
How K9PN works
A referral service, not a seller
What you can expect when you send a request.
Our guides list what to ask any seller or trainer: health tests, contracts, training and aftercare.
It costs nothing to send a request, and you decide whether to work with whoever contacts you.
How it works
From request to trainer in three steps
K9PN is a referral service. We do not train dogs. Trainers set their own prices and programs.
Share your dog’s age and breed, what you want help with, and your full postcode. It takes about two minutes and costs nothing.
K9PN is a referral service. Based on what you need and where you live, we refer your request to a professional trainer who covers your area.
The trainer contacts you to talk through your goals, pricing and scheduling. You decide whether it is a fit.
By K9PN · Founded by Mike Leal, Army Ranger veteran and dog trainer · Reviewed October 2026 · Written for UK readers
Step 1: Is now the right time?
A dog needs time, money and patience for 10 to 15 years. Think about work hours, holidays, your tenancy or lease and who will care for the dog when you are away.
Step 2: Choose a type of dog
Match size, energy, grooming and temperament to your life, and read about each breed’s health problems. See best family dogs.
Step 3: Know the law
Lucy’s Law in England means you must buy a puppy under six months direct from the breeder or a rescue. Dogs must be microchipped and registered on a database by eight weeks. Check the rules where you live, because the other UK nations differ.
Step 4: Find a responsible breeder
- They breed few litters and know every dog's health history.
- They test both parents for conditions common in the breed, and show you the results.
- You can visit, meet the mother and see where the puppies are raised.
- They ask you questions, and will take the dog back at any age.
- They may be on a scheme such as the Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme, which is helpful but not a guarantee.
Step 5: Check the puppy
- At least eight weeks old, alert, curious and healthy.
- Clean eyes, ears and coat, and a healthy weight.
- Microchipped, with vaccinations and worming recorded.
- Calm, confident behaviour around people.
Step 6: Check the health tests
For many breeds the standard is BVA/Kennel Club hip and elbow scoring of the parents, plus breed-specific tests (for example heart screening for Cavaliers and Cavapoos, eye tests for many breeds and DNA tests for inherited conditions). Ask for the paperwork and ask your vet what applies to the breed. See the BVA canine health schemes.
Step 7: Read the contract
A good contract names the puppy and parents, states the price and what is included, explains what happens if the dog has an inherited problem and lets you return the dog. Welfare charities publish standard puppy contracts that you can ask a breeder to complete. Avoid "no refunds" terms.
Step 8: Avoid the traps and plan the first week
- Walk away if you cannot see the puppy with its mother, or a seller will not let you visit.
- Pay a deposit only after you have seen the puppy, and by a method that gives you protection.
- Register with a vet and book a check in the first few days.
- Plan food, bed, toys, training and your first-year budget. See puppy and dog cost.
- Read puppy scams before you pay anyone.
How K9PN matches you with a professional
K9PN is not a marketplace and we do not sell dogs. We refer people to experienced, independent professionals, and we look at openness about the dogs and their parents, health testing, written contracts, and honest aftercare. We are still building our UK network, so put your full postcode in the form and we will tell you if we can match you.
Please note
This page is general information, not veterinary, legal or financial advice. Dog law differs between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and prices change, so check current details with the seller, your vet and the official sources linked.
Common questions
What is Lucy’s Law?
It makes it illegal in England to sell puppies and kittens under six months through third-party sellers, so you must buy directly from the breeder or a rescue.
How old should a puppy be when I buy it?
At least eight weeks, and often longer for small breeds. Ask your vet.
How do I know a breeder is reputable?
They health-test both parents, let you visit, show where puppies are raised, breed few litters and take the dog back at any age.
Should I pay a deposit?
Only after you have seen the puppy with its mother in person, and by a method that gives you protection.
What health tests should I ask for?
BVA/Kennel Club hip and elbow scores for larger breeds, plus breed-specific tests such as heart screening. Ask your vet.
Does K9PN sell or train protection dogs?
No. K9PN is a referral service and does not breed, sell or train dogs. We pass your request to a professional who covers your area, if we can match you. It costs nothing to send a request. We are still building our UK network.
Related
Sources and further reading
For dog trainers
Do you train or place protection, sport or police K9 dogs?
K9PN refers people who are looking for a protection dog, protection training, sport dog training or K9 programs to professional trainers. We also build the website, CRM and follow-up that turn those enquiries into clients. Book a call to ask about availability in your area.
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