My Quick Tips to Catch Puppy Imposters Instantly

These steps can help you quickly identify red flags and stop your puppy search in its tracks without wasting time. In most cases, just one of these recommendations will reveal dishonest sellers.

1. Selfie Request
Ask the seller to send you a selfie while you’re chatting with them. The key is to request that the person holds a notebook-sized paper with the current handwritten date. Imposters often fail at this or don’t respond at all. It’s not foolproof, but most dishonest sellers give themselves away with poor Photoshopping or simply vanish after the request.

2. Delivery Question
Ask the seller how much delivery will cost without telling them your location. A fraudulent breeder will often give you a price right away, even without knowing where you are—this is a major red flag. If they ask for your location, calculate the round-trip mileage from their supposed location and use Google gas prices to estimate fuel costs. If the price they quote is lower than just the fuel cost alone, they’re likely not legitimate.

3. Website Red Flags
If the breeder has a website, quickly verify their legitimacy by visiting GoDaddy’s WHOIS page. Enter the domain name, and you’ll find the registration records of the site. Look for the domain creation date—if it was registered in the last year and the website feels off for other reasons, walk away.

4. Backgrounds in Photos
Pay close attention to the backgrounds in their puppy pictures—yards, houses, terrain, or photo stations. If the pictures appear to be taken in various different locations, it’s a strong sign the photos may have been stolen from multiple sources, indicating the breeder is not legitimate.

5. Puppy Picture Variations
If the puppies currently available all look to be different ages or have mismatched collars and conditions, this is another indication that the photos have been pulled from other sources and not from an actual breeder.

MORE Red Flags When Buying a Purebred Dog: What to Look Out For

Once you’ve tried the quick tips above, here are other warning signs to help you spot a dishonest seller.

1. Suspiciously Low Prices
If the price of the puppy seems too good to be true, it likely is. Breeding Cane Corsos (or any purebred dog) responsibly requires significant investment in the health, care, and training of the dogs. Be wary of prices that are much lower than the typical range, as they may indicate a fraudulent breeder or poor breeding practices.

2. No References or Reviews
A trustworthy breeder will have a strong reputation within the dog breeding community and will often provide references from past buyers. If a breeder refuses to provide references or has no online presence, that’s a red flag. Genuine breeders will have reviews, testimonials, or be affiliated with reputable breeder networks.

3. Lack of Health Certifications
Reputable breeders take the health of their dogs seriously. They will have their dogs tested for breed-specific health issues and will provide health clearances for both the puppy and its parents. If a breeder doesn’t have or refuses to provide health certifications, this should be a major concern.

4. No Contract or Sales Agreement
A legitimate breeder will always provide a contract or sales agreement. This contract should cover health guarantees, return policies, and spaying/neutering agreements. If the breeder doesn’t provide a contract or seems to be in a rush to complete the transaction, it’s a red flag.

5. Unwillingness to Meet In Person
A responsible breeder will be happy to invite you to meet the puppy, see the breeding facility, and meet the puppy’s parents. If the breeder is unwilling to meet in person or wants to ship the dog without any prior interaction, it’s a red flag.