How to buy dog

"My family has always loved animals. Helping to care for them is so rewarding.”

Dogs Victoria (Victorian Canine Association) is the peak body representing owners and breeders of purebred dogs in Victoria and has a history dating back to 1877.  More than 280 individual clubs representing a single breed, a group of breeds or all breeds are affiliated with Dogs Victoria.

Our core purpose is to promote and protect purebred dogs, however we offer inclusive activities for crossbred dogs to join in activities such as agility and obedience.

The main activities of Dogs Victoria include:

1. Formal registration of purebred dogs and pups/litters.
2. Representation of the viewpoints of members to the Victorian and local governments, and through the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) to the federal government.
3. Promotion of purebred dogs through a monthly magazine, website and community promotions incorporating our 280 affiliated clubs.
4. Licencing and regulating dog-based events.
5. Promoting excellence in dog behaviour, health, companionship, work, community acceptance and responsible dog ownership. Maintaining pure breed standards and education.
6. Overseeing and sanctioning more than 700 events annually.

Have a question?  Visit our 'Frequently Asked Questions' page.

Interested in joining Dogs Victoria?  Click here for further details.

What do you think about when you picture your life with a dog?

Games of fetch in the backyard, long walks in the country, lazy afternoons snuggled together on the couch? Maybe you want a friend for your children, a guardian for your home, or an athlete to train for and compete in Dogs Victoria events. Or maybe you just like the idea of sharing your life with a devoted companion animal. A dog can be all those things, and more.

Remember that owning a dog is a lifelong commitment with a variety of responsibilities; if you cannot meet those responsibilities, neither you or your dog will be happy. The average life span for a dog is usually about 12 years, although many live much longer. Before you buy a puppy stop and consider if your lifestyle will allow you to make a commitment of that length.  You will need to consistently provide your dog with food, shelter, water, exercise, training, grooming, health care and companionship every day of its life.

Of course, when loved and treated well your dog will return to you the love, loyalty and companionship that make dog ownership so rewarding and fun.  If you live in an urban or densely populated area, that is no reason not to have a dog, but you need to make sure you choose a pet that will suit your situation.

Puppy or Adult?

The advantage of getting a puppy, aside from its irresistible cuteness, is that you can raise it by yourself from the beginning, and participate in its training and socialisation every step of the way. You can also spend time researching different breeders to find one whose particular line of dogs suits your wants and needs.

The disadvantage is that training a puppy requires a great deal of time and patience. Busy families should keep in mind that puppies cannot be left alone for more than a few hours at a time. They need plenty of trips outside, frequent meals, and lots of interaction with people. Adult dogs can be ideal for people who want a dog with fewer needs. Mature dogs tend to be calmer; some are already house-trained and know some basic obedience.

Rescue Groups

Some Dogs Victoria affiliated breed clubs have a rescue group, formed to help purebred dogs in need of new homes. Dogs find their way into rescue for a variety of reasons. Some may have been accidentally lost or abandoned. Others may have been given up due to their owners' illness, death, or other change in circumstance. All rescue groups carefully screen the dogs in their care for health and temperament before offering them for adoption. The dogs are often already housebroken and know some basic obedience.

Rescuing a purebred dog is a wonderful option for some families. Rescue is a great source for older purebred dogs (although puppies are often available too). You may not be able to know the history of the dog you adopt, but you will still bring home a fine companion--one who is grateful to you for giving him a second chance at a home and happiness.

Rehoming is another option. Some breeders may look for a new home for an older puppy or young dog that is not maturing into an ideal show dog. These breeders then look for a loving, responsible home where the dog will be a pet, not a show dog. Some breeders also rehome older dogs that are retired from showing and breeding. Sometimes they feel they are not able to give these dogs the love and attention they deserve and sometimes they just don’t get along with the young up-and-coming show prospects and would be better suited in a pet home where they can be an only dog.

If you are interested in adopting an adult dog, please contact the associated breed or group club as per links below.

Next Step

Now that you have determined you are ready to add the joy of a dog into your life, you will need to decide which breed is right for you and your family.

Browse our Breed Pages and Club Directory.

Purchasing a new puppy or kitten can be an exciting time, but there are some things to consider to ensure your new pet will be a healthy and happy addition to your home.

COMING SOON: Download our handy checklist to see some steps you can take to protect yourself and your puppy

Top Tips for buying a new puppy or kitten

Avoid buying from a puppy factory

Buying a new puppy or kitten is an exciting time, but it’s important to find out if you are buying from a responsible breeder.

How to choose a responsible breeder

• Research the breeder or seller and visit the facility where the animal has been bred or is being housed. Are the conditions clean and comfortable? Do the puppies and mother look happy and healthy?
• Check if the cat or dog is up to date with vaccinations, flea and worm treatments
• Contact the breeder or seller if you have any questions about the origin of a cat or dog
• Ask your breeder if they follow the NSW Breeding Code of Practice. This Code is designed for everyone involved in the activity of breeding dogs and cats for fee or reward and has been developed to protect the welfare of the animals in their care. By adhering to the Code, people involved in animal breeding demonstrate to the general community their concern for the welfare of the animals in their care.
• Check Section 9 Transfer of ownership to make sure you know your rights.
• Consider purchasing a pet from a rescue shelter

• Has the breeder/seller avoided letting you see the puppy or kitten?
• Has the breeder/seller suggested they can meet you at a more convenient location, such as a public area like a car park?
• Has the breeder/seller asked you to pay any money for the puppy or kitten before you have been able to see the animal in person?
• Are all of the advertised microchip numbers valid when you complete a search on the NSW Pet registry, or are there invalid numbers?
• Are you buying directly from the breeder, or could you be buying from someone on-selling the animal?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions it could be a scam or puppy factory and needs further investigation.

• Did you know you’re are able to return a puppy or kitten within 3 days and receive a 50% refund if the puppy or kitten is not acceptable for any reason? See section 9 of the NSW Breeding Code for more information.
• If you have purchased a new pet and something has gone wrong, you can contact the NSW Fair Trading for information on what to do next .

Get a vet check

• Did you know you can ask the breeder to have a veterinarian to conduct a health check before you buy a puppy or kitten?
• A health check is separate to a vaccination certificate. Vets can perform a health check to help identify any health or breed related health concerns.

How to report a puppy factory

Microchipping and registration – what are the rules?

By law, as of 1 July 2019, anyone selling or giving away a cat or dog needs to use an identification number in any advertisement. This number will be:

• a microchip number, OR
• a breeder identification number, OR
• a rehoming organisation number

This number will help you to find out more information about the cat or dog that is advertised.

Step 2. Check the NSW Pet Registry

Use the identification number to check the NSW Pet Registry to confirm the number is valid.

• A microchip number search will provide you with information about what the owner has recorded as the breed, sex and age of the cat or dog, whether it is desexed and whether or not it is already registered.
• A breeder identification number search will also display any recorded business names so that you can do further research, make informed purchasing decisions and help support good animal welfare outcomes.
• A rehoming organisation number search will display the name and address of the relevant rehoming organisation.

Step 3. Transfer ownership

If you decide to buy a cat or dog, make sure its ownership is transferred to you and that you claim ownership in the NSW Pet Registry. Further information on how to claim ownership is available through the Office of Local Government.

Before you buy a cat or dog and bring it home make sure you:

• Buy appropriate food, bedding and toys
• Check the security of your backyard or area the cat or dog will have access to
• Consider the availability of training or puppy preschool classes
• Save the contact details of a local veterinary clinic in your phone

Other things to consider

• Make sure you can meet the animal's needs. You need to understand the breed, the animal's characteristics, expected lifespan, and how much time and money is needed to look after the cat or dog
• Consider introducing a new cat or dog to any existing pets and get advice if you're unsure whether the animals will be compatible.
• Make sure any children know how to safely interact with your cat or dog

Questions and answers

Additional Resources