These guidelines keep PuppyList honest and safe — for the people buying a puppy and for the breeders who list here. They cover both what breeders must do when listing, and what buyers should check before paying anyone.
Listing guidelines for breeders
Every listing must describe a real, currently available puppy that you are responsible for. Use accurate, recent photos of the actual puppy — not stock photos, not another litter. State the true breed, color, gender, date of birth, price, and location. Misleading, duplicate, or bait-and-switch listings are removed, and repeat violations close the account.
Keep your listings current: mark puppies as sold when they’re gone, and keep your contact phone reachable. Buyers contact you directly — a stale listing wastes everyone’s time.
Health comes first. Never list a puppy too young to leave its mother, and be prepared to show health records, vaccination status, and any registry paperwork to serious buyers.
Buying guidelines — the buyer safety checklist
1. Verify the breeder yourself
Talk to the breeder — ideally by phone or video call. Ask questions about the puppy, the parents, and how the litter was raised. A responsible breeder expects these questions and answers them happily.
2. See the actual puppy
Ask for current photos or a live video of the exact puppy you’re buying — not just the listing pictures. Visiting in person is always best when distance allows it.
3. Confirm every detail directly
Price, deposit, payment method, pickup or transport, health records, vaccination status, and timing — confirm all of it directly with the breeder before any money changes hands.
4. Never rush a payment
Pressure to pay immediately, requests for wire transfers, gift cards, or payment-app transfers to someone you haven’t verified — these are the most common signs of a scam. If something feels off, walk away and report the listing.
5. Get it in writing
A simple written agreement covering the price, health guarantee, and return policy protects both sides.
Reporting
If a listing breaks these guidelines or looks like a scam, use the “Report this listing” link on the listing page. Our moderation team reviews every report and removes listings that don’t meet the standard.