Key findings
- We removed 192 listings that belong to 41 kennel names repeated across three or more states with almost no reviews.
- One name appeared in 11 states at once. A real breeder raises puppies in one place.
- 46% of them had no public review at all, and 41% used a phone number from a distant state.
- The states with the most of these listings are California (26), Texas (24), New York (13) and Florida (12).
- The breeds they advertise most are Dachshund (71), German Shepherd (24), French Bulldog (16) and Basset Hound (13).
States with the most removed listings
| State | Listings removed |
|---|---|
| California | 26 |
| Texas | 24 |
| New York | 13 |
| Florida | 12 |
| Pennsylvania | 8 |
| Arizona | 8 |
| Maryland | 7 |
| Illinois | 7 |
| Virginia | 6 |
| Georgia | 6 |
| Colorado | 6 |
| New Jersey | 5 |
| North Carolina | 5 |
| Alabama | 5 |
| Ohio | 5 |
Breeds they advertise
| Breed | Listings removed |
|---|---|
| Dachshund | 71 |
| German Shepherd | 24 |
| French Bulldog | 16 |
| Basset Hound | 13 |
| Cocker Spaniel | 10 |
| Cane Corso | 10 |
| Poodle | 8 |
| Shetland Sheepdog | 5 |
| Pomeranian | 4 |
| English Bulldog | 4 |
| Maltese | 4 |
| Bullmastiff | 3 |
Breed taken from the listing name. 11 listings did not name a breed.
How we found them
We reviewed 15,798 public business listings in the dog breeder category across the United States. When the same kennel name appears in three or more states, we remove every copy that has ten reviews or fewer.
A long-established kennel with real reviews keeps its listing even if its name is common. We publish totals only, and no kennel names, because a name on its own proves nothing.
Separately, we flag 730 listings that are still in the directory because their phone number is from a distant state and they have almost no reviews.
Check a seller yourself
Paste the website or phone number of a seller into the puppy scam checker to see how old the website is, whether it is in our directory and where the phone number is from.
Then read how to avoid puppy scams before you send any money.
Use these figures
You are free to quote or republish the figures on this page with a link to it.
Suggested credit: BreedersNearby, Fake Breeder Listings Report 2026: 192 Listings Removed, https://breedersnearby.com/reports/fake-breeder-listings
Questions
How do fake breeder listings work?
Someone creates business listings with the same kennel name in many cities, each with a local-looking address and a single phone number or website. Buyers who search for puppies near them find a "local breeder" that does not exist, and are asked to pay a deposit or shipping before they can see the puppy.
How can I tell if a breeder listing is fake?
Look for the same kennel name in other states, a phone number from far away, no reviews or only brand-new ones, and a seller who cannot do a live video call or let you visit. Use our puppy scam checker to see the public signals for a website or phone number.
How many fake listings did you find in 2026?
192 listings from 41 repeated kennel names, out of the 15,798 breeder listings we reviewed. We also flag 730 remaining listings whose phone number is from a distant state and have almost no reviews.
Does this mean every one of these listings was a scam?
No. We cannot see who is behind a listing. We removed the ones that match the pattern because we cannot stand behind them, and any real breeder can ask us to restore a listing.