Can I Visit a Dog Breeder's Home? Why Many Breeders Now Say No

By Rev. T. Stringer, Lead Researcher, SIPGS

"Can I come see the puppies?"

For a long time, the answer was yes.

Today, many responsible breeders say no.

It is not about hiding anything.

It comes down to four things:

• keeping young puppies healthy
• keeping nursing mothers calm
• keeping the breeder's family safe from crime
• keeping the people in the home healthy

This post explains all four, with the real cases behind them.

Reason 1: Puppies and disease

Young puppies have weak defenses.

The antibodies they get from their mother fade before their own vaccines fully protect them.

That leaves a gap.

Puppies are not fully protected until their vaccine series is done, at about:

16 weeks of age

During that gap, one visitor can bring in a disease that kills a litter.

Parvovirus

• It survives in the environment for a long time.
• It travels on shoes, hands, clothing, and car tires.
• Puppies under 4 months are at the highest risk.
• A visitor does not need to own a sick dog. Walking through a park, a pet store, or another kennel is enough.

Distemper and other infections spread the same way.

In our home, most puppies are under 10 weeks old.

At that age they are still at risk from many things that can kill them:

• parvovirus and distemper
• canine herpesvirus, which is often fatal in puppies under 3 weeks
• respiratory infections, including kennel cough
• intestinal parasites like coccidia and giardia
• low blood sugar, which stress and handling can bring on in toy puppies

Many of these can ride in on shoes, hands, and clothing.

A healthy-looking visitor can still carry something in.

Many breeders follow strict rules even for friends and family:

• shoes off at the door
• no visits on the same day as another kennel or a dog park
• no visitors at all until the puppies have had their first vaccines

Reason 2: Stress on the mother

A nursing mother is protecting her litter.

Strangers in her space are a threat to her.

Stress can:

• make her anxious, restless, or protective to the point of snapping
• interrupt nursing
• make her move or pile the puppies, which can lead to a puppy being crushed or chilled
• upset her milk letdown

A calm mother raises calmer, better-fed puppies.

The fewer strangers in her space, the better.

Reason 3: Breeders are targets

Puppies are valuable.

They are small, easy to carry, and easy to sell.

Most breeders today do not publish their address.

Many use a PO box.

But a "buyer" who books a visit or a pickup is given the address, along with when the puppies will be there.

That makes breeders targets.

The cases below were all reported in the news or by police.

Breeders killed

• 2016, Assaria, Kansas. Lori Heimer, who ran a home-based breeding business, was found murdered in her home. Investigators asked to hear from anyone who had a business appointment related to her breeding in the days before. The case remains unsolved.
• 2023, Bishopville, South Carolina. Lonnie Ray, 76, arranged to sell a French Bulldog through Facebook Marketplace. He met the "buyers" in a restaurant parking lot. They took the dog and shot him. He died.
• 2024, Idaho Springs, Colorado. Doberman breeder Paul Peavey was found shot and buried on his property. As many as 10 of his Doberman puppies, from two litters, were taken. The man charged first told police he came to buy a puppy. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2025.

Breeders and sellers hurt

• 2016, Cochrane, Alberta. A couple came to "look at the litter." The man grabbed a puppy and ran. The breeder was shoved to the ground.
• 2016, Henrico County, Virginia. A buyer came back with two armed men and fired into the house. The seller was grazed by a bullet.
• 2017, Lethbridge, Alberta. A couple came for a buyer "interview" and took five French Bulldog puppies. The breeder was struck and dragged by their car and hospitalized.
• 2018, Sacramento, California. A fake buyer took two dogs and drove off, hitting one seller with the car and dragging the other.
• 2019, Columbus, Ohio. Two people came to a woman's home saying they wanted to buy a puppy. They pistol-whipped her, robbed her, and shot the 7-week-old puppy.
• 2019, Glasgow, Scotland. Three men raided a home with a litter and held a machete to a 10-year-old girl's throat. They were jailed.
• 2023, Oakland, California. A 17-year-old was shot at least twice during a French Bulldog sale.

Held at gunpoint

• 2007, Los Angeles, California. Two men answered a puppy ad, forced the family to the floor at gunpoint, and took four Yorkshire Terrier puppies and the family dog.
• 2020, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Two men posing as customers robbed a breeder at gunpoint and took five French Bulldog puppies worth over $23,000. Federal charges followed.
• 2021, West Park, Florida. Three teens posing as buyers grabbed a breeder at gunpoint at her home and fired shots. They took two puppies.
• 2024, Dover, Delaware. Six intruders, one carrying what appeared to be an assault rifle, broke into a French Bulldog breeder's home and took four dogs.

Whole litters stolen

• 2014, Miami, Florida. 15 French Bulldog puppies and an adult show dog stolen from a breeder's home.
• 2017, Northamptonshire, England. 24 dogs, including 12 puppies, taken from a kennel. The owner had noticed suspicious vans nearby for months.
• 2019, near Guelph, Ontario. 19 puppies taken from a barn. They had been advertised online.
• 2020, Lancashire, England. 22 dogs taken in an overnight raid, including two litters and pregnant females.
• October 2026, White County, Tennessee. All 10 five-week-old Borzoi puppies were taken from a fenced area while the breeder was home. The mother was found scratched up.

The visit was used to plan the theft

• 2016, Staffordshire, England. A "buyer" viewed a French Bulldog litter, left, and came back under two hours later to steal the puppies. A ransom was then demanded. Police warned breeders in the area.
• 2018, Miami-Dade County, Florida. A man viewed a puppy, said he was not interested, then came back and was filmed lifting the puppy's kennel over the fence.

Paid with fake money

• 2018, Citrus Heights, California. "Buyers" paid with counterfeit bills, and one stole the seller's wallet.
• 2021, Georgetown County, South Carolina. Three men grabbed two French Bulldogs in an $11,000 sale. The envelope they left held about $470 and a fake $20.
• 2024, County Limerick, Ireland. A buyer paid for a Pomeranian puppy with fake €20 notes.

The numbers

United States

• AKC Reunite reported in 2024 that dognappings had risen 140% since 2020.
• AKC Reunite lists Chihuahuas among the most stolen breeds.

United Kingdom

• About 1,808 dogs were reported stolen in 2024.
• About 1,626 in 2025, or about 4 every day.
• Only about 1 in 5 are returned to their owners.
• Chihuahua thefts nearly doubled from 2023 to 2024, from 14 to 26.
• In 2024, the UK made dog abduction its own crime, with up to 5 years in prison.

The pattern

• It starts with an ad. Most cases began with an online, newspaper, or social media listing. The address came later, when the "buyer" set up a visit or meetup.
• The "buyer" is the threat. In most cases, the attackers posed as buyers or set up the sale.
• A visit can be a scouting trip. Some came to look, left, and came back to steal.
• Small, valuable breeds are targeted. French Bulldogs top the list. Yorkies, Bulldogs, and Chihuahuas come up again and again.
• Guns are common in U.S. cases.

A Chihuahua puppy fits in a coat pocket.

That is part of why we take this seriously.

Reason 4: The people in the home

Since 2020, most of us have become more careful about who comes into our homes.

That is true for breeders too.

Breeders and their families are people.

Some live with weakened immune systems, or care for someone who does.

A stranger with a cold or flu can bring it in without knowing.

A breeder's home is also their family's home.

It is fair for them to protect it.

What we do instead

Saying no to home visits does not mean saying no to seeing your puppy.

• Live video tours. See the puppies, the dam, and where they are raised.
• Video calls with your puppy. Watch them play and ask questions in real time.
• Regular updates. Photos and videos as the puppies grow.
• Public health testing. Parents' OFA results are public at ofa.org.
• Full records. Vet records and DNA reports, shared before you commit.
• Our Facebook group. Our private group has been running for more than 10 years, with over 1,000 members. Many are families who already have one of our dogs. Ask them directly.
• Weekly live streams. Every weekend, we go live in the group so you can watch the puppies and ask questions.

How to judge a breeder without visiting

Ask for:

• a live video call, not just photos
• the parents' health testing, and where you can check it
• the puppy's vet records
• references from past puppy buyers, or a buyer group you can join and ask
• a written contract and health guarantee

A good breeder will answer every question.

A breeder who will not show you anything, even on video, is a red flag.

Today, a breeder who invites strangers into the home is more of a red flag than one who does not.

It suggests they do not understand the biosecurity risk to their puppies, or the physical risk to their dogs and family.

If a breeder does allow visits

At the very least, expect strict rules, and follow them:

• Come only when the puppies are old enough, often after their first vaccines.
• Do not visit another kennel, shelter, or dog park the same day.
• Take your shoes off or wear shoe covers.
• Wash your hands before touching puppies.
• Leave your own dogs at home.

These rules protect the puppy you are going to take home.

Quick answers

Why won't a breeder let me visit?

To protect young puppies from disease, to keep the nursing mother calm, to protect their family from theft and violence, and to protect the health of the people who live there.

Is it a red flag if a breeder says no to home visits?

No.

Today, a breeder who lets strangers into the home is more of a concern.

The red flag is a breeder who will not show you the puppies on a live video call, or share health records.

Can a visitor really bring parvo to puppies?

Yes.

Parvo survives a long time in the environment and travels on shoes, hands, and clothing.

Are breeders really targeted by criminals?

Yes.

Breeders have been robbed, injured, and killed by people posing as buyers.

How can I see my puppy without visiting?

Ask for a live video call, regular photos and videos, and the parents' health records.

Key takeaways

• Many responsible breeders no longer allow home visits.
• Young puppies are not fully protected until about 16 weeks. Most of ours are under 10 weeks.
• Parvo travels on shoes, hands, and clothing.
• Strangers stress a nursing mother, which can affect nursing and the puppies' safety.
• Breeders have been killed, injured, held at gunpoint, and robbed by people posing as buyers.
• Whole litters have been stolen, as recently as October 2026.
• Small, valuable breeds like Chihuahuas are targets.
• Live video, health records, and past buyers let you judge a breeder safely.
• A breeder who invites strangers into the home may not understand the risks.

Sources

• American Veterinary Medical Association. Canine parvovirus.
• American Kennel Club. What dog breeders can teach us about preventing the spread of disease (2022).
• NBC News Dateline (2017). A year later, no answers in murder of Kansas grandmother Lori Heimer.
• NBC News, AP (2023). South Carolina dog breeder, 76, fatally shot trying to sell French bulldog.
• CBS Colorado (2024); Denver Gazette (2025). Paul Peavey case.
• Global News (2016). Cochrane breeder assaulted, puppy stolen.
• WTVR (2017). Henrico Craigslist puppy sale shooting.
• CBC; Global News (2017). Lethbridge breeder assaulted.
• CBS Sacramento (2018). Craigslist exchange, stolen dogs.
• News 5 Cleveland (2019). Columbus puppy robbery.
• STV News. Glasgow puppy raid gang jailed.
• KTVU (2023). Oakland puppy thieves shoot 17-year-old.
• LAPD (2007). Dog-nappers caught on tape.
• U.S. Department of Justice (2020). Gunpoint robbery of Lancaster County breeder.
• NBC (2021). West Park armed puppy robbery.
• WBOC (2024). Dover armed burglary.
• CBS Miami (2014). French Bulldog litter stolen.
• Nene Quirer (2017). Kislingbury kennel theft.
• CP24 (2019). 19 puppies stolen near Guelph.
• Lancashire Evening Post (2020). Tarleton kennel raid.
• Fox 17 Nashville; WSMV (2026). Borzoi puppies stolen in White County.
• Miami-Dade Police (2018). Residential burglary release.
• CBS Sacramento (2018). Counterfeit money puppy theft.
• WMBF (2021). Fake buyers steal French Bulldogs.
• Limerick Post (2024). Puppy sold for fake notes.
• ABC7 (2024). AKC Reunite dognapping figures.
• AKC Reunite. Pet theft fact sheet.
• Direct Line and Aviva (2025, 2026). UK dog theft figures.
• Pet Abduction Act 2024 (UK).

© 2026 A & A's Chihuahuas and Rev. T. Stringer. All rights reserved.

This educational content may not be reproduced without permission.