More than 4 million pet dogs in the UK could be linked to organised crime

According to The Royal Kennel Club, more than one in four puppy buyers (28%) admit their pet may have unintentionally been purchased from a puppy farm or irresponsible breeder. That figure rises sharply to 40% among those who spent less than a day researching their choice¹.

With the UK dog population rising from 12.5 million in 2021 to 15.5 million in 2026, SmartSearch estimates this could mean as many as 4.3 million dogs now living in UK homes may have come from unverified or high-risk breeding sources. And if ownership continues to grow at the same pace, more than 5 million dogs could be linked to puppy farms by 2031².

This comes as demand for fashionable crossbreeds such as Labradoodles, Cockapoos and Cavapoos continues to rise. However, this popularity can increase the risk of dogs being bred in high-volume puppy farming environments, particularly when buyers are focused on appearance and availability rather than provenance.

And with spring traditionally marking peak puppy-buying season, and the school holidays often prompting families to bring a new pet into the home, SmartSearch is urging prospective buyers to take extra care, avoid making impulse decisions and make sure they properly verify where a puppy has come from.

Phil Cotter, CEO at SmartSearch, said: “Illegal puppy trading has long been associated with poor breeding conditions, forged paperwork and misleading online adverts, but the wider criminal links receive far less attention.

“Too many people believe they are simply buying a family pet. They may be putting money into networks built on deception, exploitation and criminal profit.

“The illegal wildlife trade is estimated by Interpol to generate up to $20 billion every year, making it one of the world’s most lucrative criminal markets. It is increasingly linked to organised crime, corruption and violence³.”

Recent enforcement action demonstrates the scale of the problem. In March 2025, a Sussex dog smuggler was ordered to pay £157,000 after running an illegal puppy farm from a caravan, importing puppies from Eastern Europe and selling them to unsuspecting UK buyers. The case revealed a sophisticated operation involving forged paperwork, multiple online identities and international smuggling networks.

Red flags for buyers

Phil said: “The same principle we tell regulated firms applies to consumers too: know who you are dealing with, verify the source and don’t rely on appearances alone. Alarm bells should ring if a seller is pushing to complete the sale quickly, insisting on cash, refusing to let you visit in person or avoiding basic questions about where the puppy has come from.

“You should also be cautious if the breeder cannot show you the puppy with its mother, appears to have several litters available at the same time, has incomplete paperwork or no vaccination records, or is operating through vague online profiles with changing names and contact details. These are often signs that something is not as it seems.”

To help buyers spot the warning signs, SmartSearch says consumers should be wary if sellers do any of the following:

1. No home viewings offered – Refuses in-person visits or suggests meeting away from the breeder’s home, preventing buyers from seeing where puppies are raised
2. Mother/breeding environment not shown – Will not allow access to or photos of the puppies’ living conditions, and is unable or unwilling to show the puppy with its mother, or offers unclear explanations for her absence
3. Multiple litters available and always ‘ready now’ – Several litters or breeds offered at once, often indicating large-scale or commercial breeding, as well as immediate availability with no waiting list, which can signal high-volume or low-welfare breeding
4. Missing paperwork – No vaccination records, microchipping details, health checks or breeding documentation provided and refusal to share veterinary history or health testing for the puppy or its parents
5. No buyer screening – No questions asked about the buyer’s home, experience or suitability, unlike responsible breeders
6. High-pressure sales tactics and Cash Only pressure – Urges quick decisions, claims high demand, or suggests buyers will “miss out” and / or pushes for cash payments or untraceable methods to avoid a clear transaction record
7. Unverifiable seller identity – Vague listings, inconsistent names, or frequently changing contact details online
8. Third-party handovers – Suggests meeting in car parks, service stations or other neutral locations rather than the breeder’s home

Phil concludes: “Buying a puppy should be a moment of excitement, but it is also a financial transaction that deserves scrutiny, just as you would with any significant purchase.

“The UK government’s planned ban on puppy farming⁴ is a step in the right direction, but regulation alone will not stop illegal breeders operating underground.

“Consumers must also take responsibility. “Data from the Royal Kennel Club shows that almost a third (29%) of dog buyers spend less than a day researching their decision, while a quarter (25%) won’t travel more than an hour to get their puppy, preferring convenience over responsibility – as many as 70% of those that won’t travel for their puppy worry they may have bought from a puppy farm.

“If buyers continue to prioritise convenience, price and availability over checks, illegal breeders will continue to profit.”

Ends

¹ According to The Royal Kennel Club more than one in four (28%) puppy buyers admit their pet may have unintentionally been purchased from a puppy farm rising to 40% among those who said they spent less than a day researching their choice. The UK dog population has increased from 12.5 million in 2021 to 15.5 million in 2026 according to UK Pet Food

²28% of 15.5 million = 4.34 million. If the UK dog population rises by a further 24% to 19.2 million by 2031, 28% would equal 5.38 million.

³A new study from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has revealed that three popular designer Poodle-crossbreeds (often generically called Doodles), Cockapoos, Labradoodles and Cavapoos, often display higher levels of undesirable behaviour than their purebred parent breeds.

³Interpol estimates the black market for illegal wildlife products to be worth up to $20bn per year, poaching and the illegal wildlife trade has become a major area of activity for organized crime groups and is increasingly linked with armed violence, corruption and other forms of organized crime.

⁴The UK government announced a ban on puppy farming as part of its Animal Welfare reforms