THE internet – a wonderful tool or a mixed blessing? The answer is a mixture of the two and so it is when looking for a new puppy.

The internet can be a great asset if, for example, you are looking for a specific breed and want to find a breeder. But, there is a darker side to the internet and shopping for puppies.

For years we have been advising prospective puppy owners to meet the mother of the puppy that they are looking to purchase, ideally visit the puppy at their home with their mum at least once before making the purchase.

With publicity about the dangers of puppy farming people have been more vigilant about puppy choice and the numbers of puppy farms seemed to be reducing.

However, there has been a worrying return to bad practice, partly thanks to the internet.

We are seeing more and more puppies that prospective owners have seen online, they have met up with the breeder, not seen either of the parents and have come home with a puppy with no history and no health checks.

So please try and meet the mother, and if possible the father too, ask what worming, flea treatment and vaccinations they have had and also ask about health screening of the parents.

Otherwise you risk buying a sick puppy.