A VETERINARY practice is offering advice to dog lovers after a change in the law regarding how puppies can be sold.

Strict new rules will make the sale of dogs under eight weeks old illegal for the first time in the UK.

White Cross Vets in Walkden has created a checklist to help people understand what to look for when buying an animal:

Be wary of buying a puppy online; always see the puppies suckling from their mother

Ask for details about the father and mother - their medical records and if the dog has been microchipped.

Dr James Harris, from White Cross Vets, which is based on Mayfield Avenue, said: “The sale of puppies under eight weeks old is to be made illegal under plans to crack down on backstreet breeders and puppy farms.

“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.

"Those who sell pets on the internet will be subject to the same licensing regulations.”

The new rules were announced by Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom earlier this year.

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

Mr Harris added: “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 is harrowing to see young puppies pulled away from their mothers before they should be.

"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.”