Choosing your puppy
How to pick a puppy from a litter
The cutest puppy in the pile is not always the easiest one to live with. Ten minutes of simple observation, plus honest questions to the breeder, tell you far more than which puppy runs to you first.
The parents come first
A good litter starts with healthy, stable parents and a good breeder.
Temperament is partly inherited, so meet the mother and watch how she reacts to you. A relaxed, friendly mother is a good sign. Ask about the father and, if he is not on site, ask for health results and a video. Ask which health screenings are recommended for the breed and see the results for both parents.
Look at where the puppies are raised. Puppies that live in the house, hearing the vacuum and the doorbell and being handled by different people, usually adjust to family life more easily than puppies raised in an outbuilding.
- Mother present, calm and friendly
- Health screening results for both parents
- Puppies raised in the home with daily handling
- Breeder asks you questions too
Timing the visit
Visit when the puppies are awake and around the age they start to show personality.
Many breeders let families visit from five or six weeks, and puppies commonly go home at around eight weeks. Ask to come when the puppies are usually awake, not right after a meal or a play session, when every puppy looks calm. If you can visit twice, you will see whether the shy one is really shy or just sleepy.
Tell the breeder exactly what your home is like: kids' ages, other pets, your schedule and what you want to do with the dog. A good breeder watches the litter every day and often has a strong opinion about which puppies suit you.
The method
Run five quick temperament checks on each puppy you are considering.
Do these gently, one puppy at a time, with the breeder's permission. You are looking at how each puppy reacts and, more importantly, how fast it recovers.
- Sit on the floor away from the litter and call softly. Note which puppies come, how fast, and whether they stay.
- Hold the puppy gently and touch its paws, ears and mouth. A short wriggle is fine. Long panic or biting hard is worth noting.
- Drop a set of keys a few feet away. A startle is normal. Watch whether the puppy recovers and comes to investigate within a few seconds.
- Walk away slowly. Notice whether the puppy follows you or goes back to the others.
- Take the puppy a short distance from its littermates for a minute. Mild fuss is fine. Constant screaming or freezing is worth discussing with the breeder.
Matching the puppy
Match the puppy's temperament to your home, not to who you hope to be.
The boldest puppy, the one first to the gate and grabbing your shoelaces, can suit an experienced, active owner who wants a sport or working partner. It is often a handful for a busy family with young kids. The shyest puppy, hanging back and slow to recover, needs a quiet, patient home and careful socialization.
Most families do best with the puppy in the middle: interested in people, happy to be handled, briefly startled by the keys and then curious about them. That puppy usually grows into a dog who copes with a noisy house.
- Busy family with kids: the steady middle puppy
- Active, experienced owner: a bolder puppy
- Quiet adult home with time: a softer puppy can work
A second opinion
If you are torn between two puppies, get a trainer's view before you sign.
A $99 virtual consultation by phone or Zoom lets you describe the litter and your home to our head trainer and talk through the choice. You can also share short videos of each puppy during the checks above. It is available anywhere in the US, and families near Houston can follow up with our in-person puppy training once the puppy comes home.
The programs
Help choosing and raising your puppy.
A $99 virtual consultation by phone or Zoom anywhere in the US, and in-person puppy training for families near Houston.
$99per session
Phone or Zoom, anywhere in the US
Virtual consultation with our head trainer
One-on-one guidance for behavior, a new dog, introductions or a new puppy.
Should I let the breeder pick my puppy?
Often, yes, at least as a strong input. A good breeder sees the puppies every day, while you see them for an hour. Tell the breeder honestly about your home and goals, ask for their top two choices and why, and then use your own observations to decide between them.
Is the runt of the litter a bad choice?
Not necessarily. A smaller puppy can grow into a healthy, confident adult. What matters is that it is healthy, eating well and gaining weight, and that its temperament fits your home. Ask the breeder or your vet about its growth and health before deciding.
Should I pick a male or a female puppy?
Temperament, energy and the individual puppy matter more than sex for most families. If you already have a dog at home, the sex and temperament of that dog can matter, so discuss it with the breeder and choose the puppy that suits both your household and the dog you have.
What are red flags at a litter visit?
A breeder who will not let you meet the mother, cannot show health screening results, always has puppies available, pushes you to decide on the spot, or raises puppies in dirty or isolated conditions. Puppies that are lethargic, have runny eyes or a dull coat are also worth a vet's opinion before you commit.
Does the first puppy to run to me mean it chose me?
It mostly means it is the boldest or most people-focused puppy at that moment. That can be a great match or a lot of puppy for your home. Run the full set of checks on each candidate and weigh the results against the life you actually live.
Virtual session, $99
Torn between two puppies?
Book a $99 virtual consultation by phone or Zoom. Describe the litter and your home, and our team will help you choose the puppy that fits.