Where Can You Buy a Dog Online?

Purchasing a puppy and expanding your family is exciting, but it requires diligent research and planning. For example, you want to find a dog that has the right temperament and energy level for your family’s lifestyle. One way to expand your search is to buy a dog online.

The good news? There are many websites that specialize in buying and selling dogs. The bad news? A lot of them are rife with scammers and puppy mills, which could turn your excitement into heartbreak. How do you find a trustworthy pet classified website? Let’s take a look at where you can safely and confidently buy a dog online.

Can You Buy a Dog Online?

The simple answer is yes! There are many places you can buy a dog online. Of course, there’s one important caveat: proceed with caution. The internet is a convenient way to find dogs from breeders, shelters or rescue organizations, but it does come with risks.

If you’ve decided that you want to buy a dog online, follow these simple rules:

• Research Breeders and Sellers: To make sure they are reputable and ethical.
• Ask for Health Certifications: Verify that the dog has been properly health screened and vaccinated.
• Visit or Request a Virtual Tour: Request to see the dog and its living conditions before purchasing.
• Read Contracts Carefully: Read everything — understand the terms of sale, including health guarantees and return policies.
• Be Aware of Scams: Avoid deals that seem too good to be true and be cautious with payment methods that aren’t reversible, disputable or traceable.

Benefits of Buying a Dog Online

There are many benefits when you buy a dog online. You choose from a wide selection of dog breeds located all over the country from the comfort of your own home. Of course, there are many more benefits — let’s take a look at some of them now.

1. Convenience

You can shop from anywhere — literally from the comfort of your own home, you can browse the many selection of dog breeds. Online platforms are also available 24/7, which means you can search for which dog you want at any time of the day.

2. Wider Selection

When going through an online platform, you have access to a wide variety of dog breeds. This includes rare or specific breeds not available in your local area. You can also use search filters to narrow your search by what dog you want, along with age, size, location and more.

3. Detailed Information

One of the best parts of buying a dog online is that you can view detailed information about every listing including the dog’s breed, temperament, health history and background. You can also see health records of the dog you may want to buy; reputable sellers provide access to health clearances and vaccination records.

4. Customer Reviews and Testimonials

When on an online platform, you can read reviews and testimonials from previous buyers. This helps you assess the credibility of breeders or adoption agencies. You also gain insights into the buying experience from other customers.

5. Access to Reputable Breeders and Shelters

Online platforms can connect you with certified breeders recognized by animal welfare organizations and kennel clubs. This is important because you won’t be at risk of getting scammed. Furthermore, some websites can help you adopt dogs from shelters or rescue organizations.

6. Virtual Interaction

Online marketplaces can also arrange video calls for you so you can meet the dog virtually, see its behavior, and ask the seller questions. You can also get online support that makes it easier to get answers and advice that you may have.

7. Transparency

Many online marketplaces offer listings with clear up-front pricing so you can compare options and understand all of the costs. You also have the comfort of contract clarity with purchase agreements, health guarantees, and return policies provided in writing.

8. Potential Cost Savings

Online marketplaces sometimes offer competitive prices that you may not get at shelters or breeders in your local area. Online marketplaces can provide additional services like microchipping or spaying and neutering, or even delivery at a more cost-effective price.

Tips Before You Buy a Dog Online

As mentioned above, when you’re buying a dog online, there are some tips to follow. This will protect you from scammers and ensure the puppy you’re purchasing is healthy, well-cared for and not raised in a puppy mill.

1. Research the Seller or Breeder

Make sure the breeder is registered with recognized kennel clubs or reputable organizations. You should also read all sorts of reviews on the breeder to see what previous buyers stated. You can also go through a rescue organization or shelter — but still do your background research on them, as well.

2. Verify Health and Pedigree

Always verify the dog’s health and pedigree information by asking for health certificates for the dog and even their parents. This is especially important when it comes to breed-specific genetic conditions. The dog should also receive proper vaccinations and be examined by a vet before being purchased.

3. Request Visual Proof

Request visual proof by asking for recent photos and videos of the dog in various settings. You can also ask for a virtual meeting to see the puppy live and observe its behavior. Of course, what’s even better is if you do an in-person visit — that way you can inspect its living conditions and note its temperament.

4. Understand the Terms

You should always read the contract carefully, paying attention to health guarantees, return policies and the breeders after-sale support. There should always be a refund and return policy included in the terms of agreement. If the dog has health issues or the match doesn’t work out, you can return them.

5. Avoid Common Scams

Avoid common scams by being cautious of prices that are significantly lower than average. Always use secure, disputable payment methods like credit cards or PayPal and avoid untraceable payment methods like wire transfers or payment apps. Lastly, always check the seller’s website to see if it’s professional and legitimate. Avoid websites with poor grammar, no contact information or no transparency.

6. Plan for the Long-Term

Always make sure that you’re ready for the long-term responsibility of owning a dog. This includes the time, finances, and even lifestyle adjustments. Prior to bringing your dog home, prepare it. Have everything ready before the dog arrives, which includes food, a bed, toys, and other essential items.

7. Ask Questions

Ask questions — many, many, many questions. Ask about the dog’s temperament, their socialization experiences, and compatibility with your lifestyle. Also ask about the breeder’s practices and how they interact with the dogs they have.

8. Post-Purchase Support

You should have direct lines of communication after the purchase of your dog. Ongoing support is important because it means they care about the animals.

5 Popular Online Puppy Marketplaces

There are many online puppy marketplaces you can find on the internet. Some of them are amazing and others may not meet your standards because you’ll find many less-than-reputable puppy mills or even worse, scammers. There are five popular online puppy marketplaces that are some of the best:

Pawrade

Pawrade was founded in 2020 in Charleston, SC, dedicated to teaming up dogs with pet owners. Their website allows you to choose from hundreds of profiles located throughout the United States. Their wide selection of dogs is diverse and broad — and you can optimize your search with what you specifically need and want, as well as the lifestyle you have.

When it comes to drawbacks, they usually only sell puppies. Sometimes breeder information may not be available or is missing.

Puppy Spot

Puppy Spot was founded nearly 20 years ago. And since then, this online platform has connected breeders with those that want to buy puppies. You can choose from profiles located across the entire country. Furthermore, the company is committed to animal welfare and screens all its breeders. The process of purchasing a puppy, which they all get health screenings prior to being on the market, is very seamless

When it comes to drawbacks, at times there may be lack of follow-up or information when communicating with them.

AKC

The American Kennel Club is the official registry of purebred dogs in the country. You can also find a lot of educational paraphernalia on the site, as well as finding dogs to buy. Moreover, the AKC has resources on everything dog related — help from pet experts, lists of veterinarians and vet nutritionists, FAQs, breed information, a listing option to sell a dog, and more.

When it comes to drawbacks, the AKC only offers information on purebred dogs, and some breeder information may not be reliable.

Puppies.com

Puppies.com was founded in 2003 as an online puppy marketplace. Since then, they have matched puppies with pet owners. You can find puppies of all breeds throughout the country. The site also has a revolutionary breed matchmaker that can link up the owner and their lifestyle with the perfect breed of dog for them. Puppies.com usually has breeder information on only puppies and not other dog ages.

When it comes to drawbacks, the BBB’s Puppies.com page has complaints like lacking appropriate breeder information, suspending accounts that report scammers and not verifying the health information of puppies.

Camlist

Camlist is an online pet marketplace based in the United States. It may be the only online dog marketplace that features a video option as a way to buy a dog. This idea the company came up with is revolutionary. It uses a video option because you can see the puppy in its natural habitat on video (along with pictures and information) as opposed to just pictures and textual information.

When it comes to drawbacks, Camlist usually only has the option of buying from a breeder, not a rescue organization or shelter.

CitizenShipper is the Pet Transport Solution When You Buy a Dog Online

These online puppy marketplaces offer so many benefits that make your life easier when choosing a puppy.

• Offer educational resources.
• Make sure you get detailed information about everything you want to know about the potential dog (or even cat) you want to buy.
• You can also choose from buying from a breeder or even a shelter or a rescue organization.

Of course, if you buy a pet from an out-of-state breeder or shelter/rescue organization, you have to find a way to get it home. You can take the DIY approach and drive out to the breeder, bringing the pup back yourself.

Or, you can hire a professional pet transporter through CitizenShipper’s marketplace. Our drivers are puppy-lovers who will treat your pet with loving care throughout the journey. Many have years of experience moving young dogs across the country. It’s the safest, most humane way to get a puppy from point A to point B.