Welcome to The Furry Godmother – the revolutionary free service that makes finding your next dog much less hairy!

We know it can all be quite baffling. There are hundreds of types of dog to choose between and we want you to find the one that will best suit you and your lifestyle. We also want you to consider getting a rescue dog, but if you are quite sure you want a pup we will try to guide you towards the really caring breeders who do all they can to prevent hereditary diseases.

We've already helped thousands of people find their new best friend from the best possible breeders. Please step away from those who merely ask, "How are you going to pay?" Buy a badly bred dog and you'll end up paying big time; you'll be paying the vet or a behaviourist to sort out their problems. And the heartache of buying a puppy that dies early or suffers horribly with preventable conditions is enormous, so please – only buy from breeders who really care. We have strict criteria for breeders on this site – be very wary elsewhere.

Flick through our Little Black Dog Book to acquaint yourself with the growing list of nasty hereditary problems that dogs suffer from. It's a complex subject, but every litter advertised here has a breeder who has done everything possible to avoid passing on a problem. Don't support people who are breeding ignorant!

Beverley Cuddy, Editor of Dogs Today and Founder of The Furry Godmother