We often use the phrases ’second-hand animals make first class pets’ and ’rescue is our favourite breed’, but we do understand the allure of buying a puppy - a bundle of endless affection that can be moulded into a family’s lifestyle from day one (at least, that’s the plan).

We have seen an increase in the number of people buying puppies as pets because they are at home more due to Covid (working from home, unable to go out as before, unable to travel), and so their need for companionship is greater.

Many of these new puppy owners do their research beforehand - they consider their own lifestyle (both now and post-pandemic) and whether a dog will really fit into that, and if it does which breed is best for them.

They then research responsible breeders, using the Kennel Club Assured Breeders Scheme, or by asking vets for local recommendations.

A responsible breeder should have performed any relevant screening and health tests on the parent dogs, and have evidence of this to show to prospective purchasers.

The puppies should have had regular worming treatment from two weeks of age and have been fed a good quality puppy food once they were weaned.

Responsible breeders will always have had their puppies health checked by their vet, have had them microchipped (by law this must be done by eight weeks of age), and the puppies will have had at least their first vaccination.

Responsible breeders will also sell their puppies with an initial four weeks of insurance cover - free to the new owner.

This ensures that any unfortunate accidents or illnesses in the puppy’s first few weeks with its new family are covered.

Veterinary care can be expensive, and when it comes unexpectedly, insurance is invaluable to allow your puppy the care it needs.

Most puppy purchasers will know that it is very important that they see the puppy’s mother and the other puppies in the litter.

They should also try and see the father if possible, although this may be difficult in some circumstances.

But they need to go one step further and actually interact with the parents, handling them and assessing their reactions such as fear, withdrawal, tail between the legs, growling or lunging.

The parents’ characteristics are likely to influence how the puppies develop and behave.

It is well documented that a puppy’s early social and physical environment strongly influences their behaviour as adults.

A puppy that has lived in a domestic environment, particularly in a part of the home where people come and go, is more likely to be prepared for life in a home.

Where puppies are kept in kennels, a purchaser needs to check that they have experienced aspects of a normal home environment at least some of the time.

The purchaser should ask to see where the puppy has been kept even if they are introduced to him/her in a house.

It is also important to know the type of food that the puppy is used to and how often and when he/she is used to being fed, so that these can all be kept as similar as possible when the puppy goes to their new home.

Puppies should be fed a weighed or measured amount of food at regular times.

The breeder should provide enough of the puppy’s current food for at least five days so that any dietary changes can be made gradually.

If the food is changed too rapidly, this can cause stomach upset or diarrhoea.

The purchaser should watch how the puppy responds to things that happen during their visit, such as reactions to household noises, acceptance of wearing a collar, or tolerance of being separated briefly from littermates.

And finally, never buy a puppy without signing a ’puppy contract’ such as the one recommended by the RSPCA and Dogs’ Trust, which can be downloaded for free from puppycontract.org.uk.

There are some breeders on the island who do not conform to the standards outlined above, as well as many in the UK, and so make sure you do your research.