One in five people who buy a puppy do not have the dog two years later, a survey for the RSPCA suggested.
RSPCA is concerned people are letting their hearts rule their heads when it comes to buying “cute” puppies, and are not prepared for the commitment and cost of looking after a dog.
The study polled 7,272 people, of whom 848 had acquired a puppy in the last two years, and found a quarter of owners who bought a pure-bred dog chose it mainly on the basis of appearance.
And more than half (56 per cent) did not see their puppy with its mother before they bought it.
Animal welfare charities urge people to visit the puppy with its mother, to try to stop large-scale “puppy farming” which they warn is cruel to the mothers and can harm the health and temperament of the young dogs.
The research also suggests that three per cent of puppies bought in the last two years had already died or been put down, and more than a third (36 per cent) had experienced health problems.
The poll found people did not spend much time thinking about their decision, with more than 60 per cent visiting only one litter of puppies before they bought a dog, only a third seeing the litter more than once, and 39 per cent spending only a week or less researching their choice.
The RSPCA is launching a new campaign, Get Puppy Smart, in a bid to help people choose a dog that is suitable for them.
Claire Calder, a senior scientific officer at the RSPCA, said: “Sadly, far too many people are living with the consequences of buying a puppy on impulse.
“A cute puppy can be hard to resist, but the result of not looking beyond the cute-factor can be the tragic death of a much-loved pet, hundreds of pounds spent on vet bills or the emotional impact of having to part with a puppy that was simply the wrong choice for your family’s lifestyle.”
She added: “Dogs can live for around 15 years or more. Owning one is a big responsibility and a long-term commitment. “The Get Puppy Smart campaign aims to help prospective puppy buyers make the right decision by thinking about what type of dog best suits their lifestyle, the costs involved in having a dog, finding a good breeder and how to select a happy and healthy puppy.”
Tips before having a puppy:
Do your homework, to match the right dog to your life and to make sure you can afford it;
Phone ahead before visiting a puppy and know what questions to ask;
Do not buy a puppy straight away – go home and take time to consider your choice, and visit it at least twice;
Always choose a puppy on its likely health and temperament and not just its looks;
Never be tempted to buy a puppy because you feel sorry for it - another will only be bred to replace it. A full list of advice is available at www.getpuppysmart.com.
Animal welfare minister Lord Henley said: “Modern lifestyles are very hectic, so people need to consider if they realistically have the time, energy and money to care for a dog properly every day, for its whole life, before they buy a puppy.”