How to Spot a Scam Breeder Account on Social Media (and What to Do About It)

If you’ve spent time in online pug groups, dog forums, or scrolling through Instagram and Facebook, chances are you’ve seen a suspicious “breeder” account. Unfortunately, scam breeders are everywhere on social media, luring people in with stolen photos of adorable puppies and fake promises of litters. These accounts not only trick potential puppy buyers, but they also hurt legitimate breeders, rescues, and everyday pet owners whose content gets stolen.

In this article, we’ll cover how to identify a scam breeder account and the steps you can take to get it removed—whether it’s targeting you personally or you’ve spotted it harming others in the community.

How to Identify a Scam Breeder Account on Social Media

Here are the most common red flags that suggest a breeder account is a scam:

1. Too-Good-To-Be-True Puppy Prices

If the prices for purebred puppies are unusually low (or the breeder is constantly “discounting”), it’s a major warning sign. Real breeders invest in health testing, care, and quality food, which makes cheap prices unrealistic.

2. Stock or Stolen Photos

Scam breeders often lift photos from real accounts. Look for:

• The same puppy pictures appearing on multiple accounts.
• Images with inconsistent backgrounds or watermarks cropped out.
• Puppies that look like they’re from different litters posted all at once.

3. No Transparency About Location or Parents

Legitimate breeders proudly share details about their dogs, facilities, and puppy parents. Scammers, on the other hand, often avoid answering direct questions about their location, veterinary care, or health testing.

4. High-Pressure Sales Tactics

Phrases like “Only one left—send money today!” or “Deposit required within 24 hours” are common scam tactics. Real breeders focus on finding the right fit, not rushing you into a decision.

5. Payment Through Untraceable Methods

Requests for payment via gift cards, Cash App, or Western Union should be an immediate red flag. Reputable breeders use secure, traceable payment methods.

What to Do If You Spot a Scam Breeder Account

If you believe an account is fraudulent, here’s what you can do:

1. Report the Account to the Platform

• On Instagram/Facebook: Go to the profile → click the three dots → “Report” → “It’s pretending to be someone else” or “Scam or fraud.”
• On TikTok: Tap the three dots on the profile → “Report” → “Fraud or scam.”

The more people who report, the faster the platform takes action.

2. Warn Others in the Community

Share a caution post in pug groups, forums, or breeder networks so others don’t fall victim. Keep it factual—avoid direct accusations that could backfire.

3. If They Stole Your Content: File a Copyright Claim

If the scammer is using your original photos or videos, you have the legal right to take them down. Most platforms make this easy:

• Instagram Copyright Report Form
• Facebook Intellectual Property Form
• TikTok Intellectual Property Infringement Form

Submitting a copyright claim usually requires proof you own the content (like posting history).

4. Document Everything

Take screenshots of posts, messages, and stolen content before reporting. This helps if you need to escalate further, such as alerting your followers, your kennel club, or even local authorities in extreme cases.

Protecting Yourself and the Community

Scam breeder accounts hurt everyone—buyers, breeders, rescues, and pug lovers alike. Here’s how you can protect yourself and others:

• Watermark your original puppy photos.
• Educate potential puppy buyers on how to identify a reputable breeder.
• Encourage friends to always meet the breeder in person (or virtually) and ask for veterinary and registration records.

Final Thoughts

Social media is a wonderful place to celebrate our pugs and connect with the dog community—but it’s also a hotspot for scams. By knowing the warning signs and taking swift action, you can help keep your fellow pug lovers safe and protect your own content from being misused.

Remember: If you see something, say something. Reporting scam breeders makes the online space safer for everyone.