How to Buy a Dog in London

Living in London can mean a hectic lifestyle, even for those without a pet. When you decide to invite a dog into your family, make sure you consider all your options for the best chance of finding a good match. With the right breed, the right seller and the right resources, you can take on the big city with a happy dog at the end of your leash.

Instructions

    • 1

      Choose your breed. Consider your location and your lifestyle: Do you occupy a small flat that may not be enough space for some breeds? London has many parks, so find out if there's one near your home where you can walk your dog a couple of times a day. Do you live in a densely populated part of town, where there is a lot of noise? Some breeds are easily frightened by noise, and this should be taken into consideration. The same can be true of adopted dogs who have been abused.

    • 2

      Choose a seller. If you're looking to buy a pedigreed dog, it's important to choose a reputable breeder. The Kennel Club lists 48 accredited London breeders on their website, and many more around England. Many Londoners find adopting a dog rewarding, and turn to the Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre in Harefield, West London to find their new friend. Another reputable shelter is the Battersea Dogs &Cats Home.

      Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre
      Highway Farm
      Harvil Road
      Harefield
      Uxbridge
      UB9 6JW
      011-44-1895-453-930
      www.dogstrust.org.uk/

      Battersea Dogs &Cats Home
      4 Battersea Park Road
      London
      SW8 4AA
      011-44-20-7622-3626
      www.battersea.org.uk

    • 3

      Figure the cost. Be prepared to pay anywhere from GBP 150 to 1,250 for a pedigreed dog in London. If you decide to adopt a dog from a shelter, the cost will be much less. The Battersea Dogs &Cats Home charges a GBP 90 fee to cover "microchipping, vaccinations, four weeks' free pet insurance, three months' free out-patient veterinary care for any condition related to your pet's stay at the Home, a starter pack of food, an ID tag, access to our Behaviour Advice Line for continued help and support, and in many cases the animal will also have been neutered."

    • 4

      Buy your dog. Ask your seller for a list of any vaccinations the dog has had, a pedigree certificate (if one exists), and health certificates for the dog's parents, if possible. If you adopt, many shelters offer neutering and spaying when you buy, as well as microchipping. If you are buying from a breeder, The Kennel Club website advises that you obtain a Contract of Sale showing "both the breeder(s)' and your responsibility to the puppy" as well as "any official Kennel Club endorsements (restrictions) that the breeder has placed on the puppy's records, and in particular on what basis the breeder may be prepared to remove the endorsement."

    • 5

      Settle in. By English law, your new dog must wear an identification tag in public or risk a fine of GBP 5,000. Get your dog's name engraved on the tag, along with your address and phone number. Find a veterinarian to handle your dog's first vaccinations and neutering or spaying, then keep the number on hand in case of emergency. If you decide to employ a dog-walking service, there are many to choose from in London. London Dog Walking serves much of Central London. When buying a leash, collar and bed, choose a healthy food for your dog that is consistently stocked by your favorite pet store.