'Alarming trend' among dog breeders

As many as one in three dog owners could be buying their pet from puppy farmers, the Kennel Club has warned.

Research by the organisation found that of more than 1,000 owners of pedigree, pure-bred, cross-breed and mixed-breed dogs, 14% bought their puppy from a pet shop, 7% used the internet and 16% responded to a local paper advert.