How to Spot and Avoid Puppy Scams

Searching for your dream dachshund puppy should be an exciting time, but sadly, many families fall victim to online puppy scams. These scammers know how much people love dachshunds, and they prey on that emotional connection. At Grateful Dachshunds, I talk to people every week who’ve lost money or had their hearts broken by fake puppy listings.

I even had the chance to chat directly with a scammer — and I recorded it to help families see exactly how these tricks work. You can watch the full video here: Watch my “Talking to a Puppy Scammer” video on YouTube.

Here’s how you can protect yourself and make sure your new puppy comes from a loving, ethical breeder.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

• Prices that are too good to be true – If you see a purebred dachshund puppy listed for a few hundred dollars, it’s almost always a scam.

• Only superficial or reused photos – Scammers often steal images from breeder websites or social media. Run a quick reverse image search to check.

• Rushed urgency or “last puppy” pressure – Phrases like “act fast” or “won’t last long” are meant to make you panic.

• Hiding breeder identity or location – If they won’t do a video call or tell you where they’re based, that’s a warning sign.

• No proof of parents registration or health records – An ethical breeder will share registration numbers and vet information.

How to Verify a Breeder

• Request live video calls to meet the puppies and their mom.

• Review health documentation: veterinarian location, genetic testing results.

• Read testimonials and reviews from real families.

• Ask detailed questions about the parents, temperament, and puppy raising environment.

Scammers not only take money — they also take away the joy of welcoming a new puppy into your home. By learning how to recognize red flags and only working with ethical breeders, you’ll protect yourself and your future pup.

At Grateful Dachshunds, I’m committed to transparency, health, and raising puppies with love. If you’d like to learn more, join my waitlist — and don’t forget to check out my video where I talk with a real scammer so you can see the tricks firsthand.

If you are concerned you may be speaking to a scammer or looking to purchase a dachshund puppy you are unsure of, please reach out to us through our Contact Form and we can help you verify if the breeder is legitimate.