AS strict new laws will soon make it illegal to sell puppies under eight-weeks-old, a Black Country vet has created a checklist to help people understand what to look for when buying a puppy.

Dr James Harris from White Cross Vets, said the new laws announced by Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom earlier this year will crack down on backstreet breeders and puppy farms.

He explained: “Anyone breeding and selling three or more litters of puppies a year will have to apply for a formal licence.

“Smaller breeders as well as commercial breeders will have to meet a strict welfare criteria and those who sell pets on the internet will be subject to the same licensing regulations."

Any breeders found to break the rules could face an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison.

He continued: “Unfortunately there are a small number of unscrupulous breeders out there who simply do not have the dog’s best interest at heart, and are solely driven by financial gain.

“It’s harrowing to see young puppies pulled away from their mothers before they should be, and for so many female dogs to be used in a continuous and unhealthy breeding cycle in horrible conditions just to make money should be punishable.

"We therefore welcome these new rules, but would of course like to see even firmer consequences for those people who flaunt them.”

Dr Harris added: “A total ban on the third-party sale of dogs as puppies would have been preferable, because anyone buying a puppy should always view it along with its mother.

"We also feel that this new licensing regime should apply to people selling two not three litters a year, but they are still definitely a step in the right direction.

“It’s also really important to educate people who are thinking about buying a puppy about the right way to go about it. We need to stop buyers inadvertently funding this cruel trade and can only do this by making it really clear what they should be looking for.”

The Tividale veterinary practice has put together some top tips for those considering buying a puppy.

They include:

• Be wary of buying a puppy online. It is always better to go through more official channels like the Kennel Club or better still buy through a personal recommendation.

• Always see the puppies suckling from their mother, preferably with their siblings, and always in their own home.

• Where possible ask for details about the father too. They might not have any documentation but should be able to talk knowledgably about his breed, age and where he lives.

• Ask to see medical records, including vaccinations, for the mother and find out where her vets is.

• Ask for details about the mother, like how many litters she has had, and ask about her temperament too. If the breeder knows the dog well, they should have plenty to talk about, and not be vague or have no answers.

• Assess the seller’s home environment, is the dog living there permanently, do they have pictures of the mother doing everyday things that can be seen?

• Establish whether the mother is microchipped and if the puppies have been? From April 2016, all dogs in England must be microchipped with their details registered on an approved database by the time they are eight weeks old or their owners could face fines of up to £500.