Ready, set, puppy.

Plan daily care, check your budget, and get your home ready. One thoughtful step at a time.

Before you meet your maybe-dog

A few thoughtful questions for the rescue or breeder. Tick each question as you discuss it, and take your time before deciding.

My meeting checklist

Ask about this dog’s history, routine and behaviour—not just its breed.Request veterinary and identification records; ask what is still due.Ask which breed-relevant screening records apply and have your vet interpret them.Arrange an appropriate meeting and ask to see the dog’s living conditions.Discuss support, return arrangements and what happens if the match is unsuitable.Take time to decide. Do not let pressure to pay replace independent checks.

Start with Dogs Trust’s getting-a-dog guidance ↗. Ask your vet which screening records apply to this breed and individual dog. These questions help you prepare for that conversation; they don’t replace your vet’s advice.

Beyond shopping: choosing your dog & home preparation

Discover your kind of companion

Use the match quiz as a conversation starter, then compare adult size, daily needs and grooming. Breed tendencies are clues, not promises about an individual puppy.

Meet a real dog, with real support

Contact an established rescue or carefully checked breeder in your area. Ask about temperament, history and health, and make time to meet. Puptionary is a guide, not a live puppy marketplace.

Get ready for your first chapter

Work through your puppy-ready checklist together. A good fit includes your routine, resources and the dog’s needs—not just a favourite photo.

little checks, big love

Your puppy-ready checklist

Tick things off as you get ready. There’s no rush—work through the list at your own pace.

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8 little steps to explore. One paw at a time.

Get the whole pack on boardAgree who handles toilet breaks, training, daytime company and holidays. Check your housing rules before falling for a face.Make a lifetime pup budgetPlan for food, equipment, training, grooming and routine vet care, plus insurance or an emergency fund. A puppy grows; the commitment stays.Explore a responsible routeSpeak to an established rescue about puppies, adult dogs and mixed breeds. If choosing a breeder, ask questions and expect thoughtful questions back.Meet the actual pupDiscuss the individual dog’s needs with their carer. At a breeder, see the puppy with their mother where they were raised; do not settle for a car-park handover.Check the paperworkAsk about veterinary records and relevant parent health-screening results, and verify them. Registration alone is not a health or welfare guarantee.Sleep on the decisionAvoid pressure to pay immediately. Understand the agreement and ongoing support, and walk away if something feels wrong. Cuteness is not a reason to skip checks.Build a cosy landing padPrepare a quiet resting space, safe transport, water bowls, suitable toys and secure boundaries. Put cables, medicines and other hazards out of reach.Line up your support crewChoose a vet and reward-based trainer. Ask your vet about safe socialisation and preventive care, and plan gentle introductions at your puppy’s pace.

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Ready, set, puppy.

Ready for your first dog?

What to buy for your pup

Before you meet your maybe-dog

Discover your kind of companion

Meet a real dog, with real support

Get ready for your first chapter

Your puppy-ready checklist

Keep exploring, when you’re ready