How to choose a puppy from a litter
Learn what to look for in a puppy to increase your chances of picking one that’s healthy, confident, and relaxed.
Choosing your puppy is a big decision. Pick a healthy, confident, and relaxed dog and you should be together for years to come.
This guide covers:
And don’t forget, our centres sometimes have puppies looking for new homes. Could you give a dog their forever home? Find out how to apply for adoption.
Questions to ask the breeder
What to check when you visit the puppies
If you’ve chosen to buy a puppy from a responsible breeder and have found one with puppies available, the next stage is arranging a visit. It's vital to see the puppies with their mother in person. Legally, they need to be in the same place as they were born, so make sure to check this with the breeder. And if something doesn't seem right, you can always end the visit early.
Check out our advice on buying a dog or puppy for more information.
Sign up to our free puppy buying guide
The first time you meet your potential puppy, you might be so excited that you forget to ask something. That’s to be expected, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Get our free puppy buying guide sent straight to your inbox. Our guide covers all the key questions to ask when buying a puppy.
How to check the litter of puppies and mum look healthy
Check the appearance of pups and mum
Once you’re with the pups themselves, check them (if you can) for:
- clear eyes with no redness or discharge
- a clear nose with no discharge
- clear breathing with no wheezing or coughing
- clean ears with no redness and obvious wax or discharge
- healthy-looking skin with no scabs or sores
- shiny and soft fur with no evidence of fleas
- sturdy legs with no signs of limping
- their ribs aren’t visible
- a clean and dry bottom.
Look at the mother, too – does she seem healthy and happy? Is she a healthy weight? Is she interacting with the puppies? Does she seem comfortable with people? It’s a good idea to observe these things from a distance to avoid causing her any anxiety.
You could also ask again some of the things you checked before your visit, to confirm they’re correct. This includes:
- the puppies’ age (they’ll need to be at least eight weeks old before rehoming)
- the mother’s age and how many litters she’s had (should be less than six litters)
- what the puppies are eating.
If the puppies (or mother) seem physically or mentally unwell, don’t hesitate to walk away. If you’re worried about their welfare, you can report the breeder. See the section on how and where to report below.
How are the mother and puppies behaving?
It’s worth watching the puppies and their mother together for a while to see what they’re doing. Don’t allow yourself to be hurried. Things to check include:
- whether the mother seems physically and mentally healthy, or reserved and withdrawn
- if the puppies seem active and alert, or subdued and listless
- whether the pups are interacting with each other, and their mother
- if there are dog toys nearby, are the pups playing with them?
- do the puppies show any interest in you, such as coming closer to give you a sniff? Healthy puppies are active, curious, and interested in the world around them.
Now’s an ideal time to ask the breeder any questions.
Are the puppies relaxed around people in a home environment?
If you want a dog as a companion, it’s important that they’re well-socialised and introduced to a home environment in the right way. This will give the puppy the best chance of settling with you and being resilient and robust in the future.
Your visit is the time to check how the puppies are behaving inside the home. As well as seeing the puppies interact with their mother, if they’re less than eight weeks old they should also clearly be living with her.
Here are some questions you could ask:
- Are the puppies relaxed and confident with the sight and sound of household appliances like the vacuum cleaner and kettle?
- Have the puppies heard noises associated with visitors, such as the doorbell ringing, and conversations?
- Do the pups get a chance every day to interact positively with people? Are they relaxed and confident being handled?
What to do if you're concerned about the puppies or their mother
Report the seller
In the UK, dogs suffer from irresponsible puppy breeding, farming, and smuggling. They can be bred, kept, and transported in poor and sometimes terrible conditions.
If you have concerns about the welfare of the puppies or their mother, you should contact the RSPCA (England and Wales) or the SSPCA (Scotland). In Northern Ireland, you should contact your local council for any welfare concerns. Or you can contact the USPCA if you suspect puppy farming.
If you have any other worries about the way in which the puppies are being sold, you can contact Trading Standards for the seller's area.
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