Adopting or buying a dog in Morocco: the checks that matter

Whether you adopt a dog from a private owner or an association, or buy one from a breeder, the process deserves a few precautions. They protect your money, but above all the dog’s health and your family’s. Here are the checks to make, in order, before you bring an animal home.

Adoption or purchase: two routes, the same standards

Adopting means giving a home to a dog that no longer has one: an abandoned animal, an unplanned litter, a dog whose owner is moving away. In Morocco, animal welfare associations and shelters take in and rehome dogs, often already vaccinated and neutered. Many private owners also offer dogs for adoption, free or for a contribution to costs.

Buying usually means choosing a specific breed from a breeder or from an owner whose bitch has had a litter. Prices vary a lot depending on the breed, the age and how serious the breeder is.

Either way, you should be able to answer the same questions: where does this dog come from, how old is it really, is it healthy, and is the person in front of you trustworthy?

The puppy’s age: not before eight weeks

A puppy should never leave its mother and littermates before eight weeks. It is with them that it learns to control its bite, to communicate with other dogs and to cope with frustration. A puppy separated too early is more often fearful, nippy and hard to train.

Be wary of puppies described as “weaned at one month”. At that age a puppy can barely stand. A few markers for estimating age:

• at four weeks, the milk teeth are just coming through and the puppy walks unsteadily;
• at eight weeks, it has all its milk teeth, eats moistened kibble on its own, plays and explores;
• at around four months, the adult teeth start replacing the milk teeth.

If in doubt, a vet can estimate a puppy’s age in a few minutes.

The health record: the key document

Always ask for the health record, and read it. It should include:

• the dog’s identity: breed or type, sex, date of birth, colour;
• the vaccines already given, with the vaccine sticker, the date, and a vet’s stamp and signature;
• the dewormers given.

A blank record, dates written in pen with no stamp, or stickers that don’t match the stated age should raise a flag. A two-month-old puppy should have had at least a first vaccine and several dewormings. Our article on vaccines and deworming will help you check that the schedule makes sense.

If the dog has no paperwork, that isn’t necessarily a bad sign, especially for a dog taken in from the street, but plan a vet visit in the first few days and start the vaccinations from scratch.

Meet the dog and its surroundings

Never commit on the strength of photos alone. Go and see, and watch:

• the place: is it clean? Do the dogs have water, shade and space?
• the mother, for a puppy: is she there, in good condition, sociable? A seller who refuses to show the mother usually has something to hide;
• the puppy itself: clear eyes with no discharge, a clean nose, a shiny coat, a soft belly that isn’t bloated, no diarrhoea, no limping;
• its behaviour: a healthy puppy is curious, playful and comes towards you. A listless puppy that stays in its corner may be ill.

For an adult dog, ask to walk it for a few minutes. Watch how it reacts to passers-by, other dogs and noises. Ask the owner about its habits: does it stay alone, is it house-trained, does it get on with children and cats?

The warning signs

Some situations should make you walk away, or at least be twice as careful:

• the seller asks for a deposit or full payment before you have seen the dog;
• they offer to send it to another city with no chance to meet;
• the price is far below the going rate for the breed;
• the photos look lifted from the internet, or never show the dog in the same setting;
• the seller is in a hurry, changes their story or won’t answer your questions;
• the same person constantly offers several different breeds, and you never see the parents;
• the puppy is advertised as “purebred” but with no papers at all, at an exceptional price.

The simplest rule is also the most effective: pay only when the dog is in front of you, after you have looked it over. On canin.ma, deals are concluded in person, when you meet.

Banned breeds

Moroccan law bans the keeping, sale and import of certain dogs classed as dangerous, notably pit bull-type dogs and some mastiff breeds. Buying such a dog exposes you to penalties and to having the animal seized. Before settling on a powerful breed, read our article dogs and the law in Morocco.

The right questions to ask

Prepare your questions before the meeting. A genuine seller or rehomer will answer them easily, and will ask you some too.

1. Why are you parting with this dog?
2. How old is it exactly, and where was it born?
3. Which vaccines and dewormers has it had, and at which vet?
4. What does it eat, how much and at what times?
5. Has it ever been ill or injured?
6. How does it behave alone, with children, with other animals?
7. Can I get back in touch with you if I have questions?

Also ask to take home some of its usual food: a sudden change of diet causes digestive upsets.

After adoption: the vet visit

Within a week of the dog’s arrival, book a vet appointment. The vet will check the dog’s general condition, its age and vaccinations, look for parasites and tell you what comes next in the schedule. It is also the moment to talk about identification and neutering. You will find professionals in the vet listings.

Keep the contact details of the person who gave you the dog, and a written record of the handover: name, date, a description of the dog and, where relevant, the price paid.

Key takeaways

You choose a dog with your eyes, not on a screen. See it, see where it comes from, read its health record, ask your questions and pay only at the handover. These few precautions are enough to rule out most scams and nasty surprises. When you are ready, browse the dog listings near you, then prepare its arrival at home.