Research found that nearly a third (29%) of UK dog owners spent less than a day researching their breeder.
Encouraging rogue sellers
The survey also revealed that 34% of buyers refused to travel beyond their county for a puppy, with 56% not even seeing the dog with its mother.
"This behaviour allows rogue puppy sellers to thrive, leading to serious welfare issues," said Charlotte McNamara, the Kennel Club's head of health.
The study revealed that nearly one in five puppies fell sick or died before their first birthday, a figure rising to 31% for those bought with minimal research.
Owners should take more responsibility
The survey, part of the Kennel Club's Be Puppywise campaign, showed that 26% of owners could not identify rogue breeders, and 28% suspected they had unknowingly purchased from puppy farms.
Experts are urging prospective owners to take more responsibility, with the Royal Veterinary College advising against choosing breeds with extreme body shapes linked to health issues. Meanwhile, the RSPCA has emphasised the importance of using the "puppy contract" and suggested adopting from rescue centres while calling for stronger puppy-traffic regulations.
