Puppy index, the service designed to bring potential puppy owners together with quality puppies from an approved breeder was re-launched by pet education charity, the Pet Care Trust at the beginning of June 2010.

The Puppy index manual is used by retailers and other pet specialist members of the Trust who use it as a resource to counsel prospective puppy owners on their choice of breed. They then give them details of our responsible breeders who have signed up to a code of conduct.

Buying a new puppy is an exciting occasion for any family, but at the same time it’s crucial for them to obtain a breed that is right for their lifestyle, to help assure the dog’s welfare and their enjoyment of him. The Kennel Club has recognised the value of Puppy index and lists their Accredited Breeders in the manual too.
Potential puppy owners browse the scheme’s fully updated colour manual of 100 top breeds of dog to decide which is the most suitable for them and their circumstances. The Kennel Club also has a database of current puppy availability as part of their Find a Puppy service. 

Please note that Puppy index is only available through pet specialists, where advisors guide customers through the manual and offer advice about breed needs and which products they will need for their new addition.

Since 2010, five vulnerable breeds have been included in Puppy index. Some British and Irish breeds of dog are classified by the Kennel Club as vulnerable because their numbers are declining and their status within the world of dogs is diminishing. We felt it important through Puppy index to highlight some of these breeds, such as the Lancashire Heeler and the Dandie Dinmont to help raise their profile and public awareness of these interesting breeds.

The Bateson report into dog breeding called for robust breeder accreditation schemes. Puppy index taps into two of them by pointing customers to breeders who are endorsed by two of the most influential bodies in the pet sector.