Current status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 24 September 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what advice it provides for prospective puppy buyers on how to source a healthy puppy, and whether any such advice (a) already includes and (b) will be updated to include advice to only purchase puppies from dog breeders that comply with a health standard.
The Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 19 March 2025 and introduced provisions to help ensure more informed and responsible dog ownership. Scottish Government officials have been working with key stakeholders over a period of months to develop a code of practice that should be followed by any person who is considering acquiring a dog to keep as a pet. There is already a wealth of information available to the public from welfare organisations including the Dogs Trust and the Scottish SPCA covering the safe purchase and ownership of a dog and we urge people considering getting a dog to follow the advice provided.