Puppy contract and papers: what to look out for

It names the puppy, date of birth, chip number or litter identifier, the expected handover date, the total price and the amount of the deposit.

It must also state what happens if the puppy falls ill or cannot be handed over: in that case the deposit is refunded in full.

Full names and addresses of both parties, health status at handover, vaccinations and deworming carried out, feeding recommendation and the agreed price including the deposit already paid.

Added to this are husbandry obligations: no kennel-only keeping, no passing the dog to third parties without consultation, a no-breeding clause where no breeding rights are granted, and our lifelong return guarantee.

The pedigree is issued by the breed association, not by the breeder. It contains at least four generations, studbook numbers and the kennel name.

A "pedigree" printed at home without an association logo, studbook number or signature is worthless. It should be available in the original at collection — not "sent on later by post".

The microchip is usually implanted in week seven or eight and recorded in the pet passport. Compare the number in the passport with your vet's chip reader at collection.

Register the chip in your name with Tasso or Findefix after the move — without registration the chip is of little use if the dog goes missing.