How to Pick a Puppy from a Litter: Complete Guide

Before You Visit the Litter

Preparation is key to making a good choice. Before visiting puppies, know what you're looking for:

Know Your Lifestyle Needs

Activity level: How active are you? Marathon runner or couch potato?
Living situation: Apartment, house, yard size?
Family members: Children, elderly, other pets?
Time available: Hours per day for training, exercise, grooming?
Experience level: First-time owner or experienced trainer?

Research the Breed

Different breeds have different needs and temperaments. Even within a breed, there's variation, but understanding breed tendencies helps set expectations. Consider:

Exercise requirements
Grooming needs
Common health issues
Typical temperament
Training ease or challenges

Health Signs to Look For

A healthy puppy is the foundation of a happy life together. Check these areas:

Area	Healthy Signs	Warning Signs
Eyes	Clear, bright, no discharge	Cloudy, red, excessive tearing
Ears	Clean, no odor, pink inside	Dirty, smelly, red, head shaking
Nose	Moist, no discharge	Dry, cracked, colored discharge
Coat	Shiny, clean, no bare patches	Dull, flaky, bald spots, fleas
Gums	Pink, moist	Pale, white, red, or tacky
Body	Filled out but not fat, no pot belly	Ribs showing, bloated belly (worms)
Rear End	Clean, no staining	Stained, evidence of diarrhea

Also Observe:

* Movement: Walks/runs without limping or awkwardness
* Energy: Playful and active (when awake)
* Breathing: Normal, no coughing or wheezing
* The other puppies: If one is sick, others may be too

Puppy Temperament Tests

These simple tests help reveal a puppy's personality. Ask the breeder if you can spend time with individual puppies to perform these:

1. Social Attraction Test

What to do: Place the puppy on the ground, walk a few feet away, kneel down, and gently call to them.

* Great: Comes readily with tail up, may jump up
* Good: Comes readily with tail down or hesitates then comes
* Concerning: Doesn't come, moves away, or hides

2. Following Test

What to do: Stand up and walk away from the puppy (without calling them).

* Great: Follows readily at your feet
* Good: Follows hesitantly or at a distance
* Concerning: Doesn't follow, goes opposite direction, or hides

3. Restraint Test

What to do: Gently roll the puppy onto their back and hold them there for 30 seconds with light pressure on their chest.

* Independent/Dominant: Struggles fiercely, may try to bite
* Good middle ground: Struggles then settles, may lick
* Very submissive: No struggle, may freeze or look away

4. Sound Sensitivity

What to do: While the puppy is distracted, make a sudden noise (clap, drop keys).

* Great: Startles but recovers quickly and investigates
* Good: Startles, recovers, may not investigate
* Concerning: Cowers, hides, or doesn't recover

5. Touch Sensitivity

What to do: Gently handle the puppy's ears, paws, and open their mouth.

* Great: Accepts handling readily
* Good: Tolerates with mild resistance
* Concerning: Panics, tries to bite, or freezes in fear

Understanding Puppy Personalities

Puppies in a litter often fall into recognizable personality types:

Type	Behavior	Best For
The Leader	First to eat, bosses others, very confident	Experienced owners, working/sport dogs
The Explorer	Curious, investigates everything, independent	Active owners who want adventure companion
The Middle	Confident but not pushy, goes with the flow	Most families - easiest to train
The Follower	Watches others first, waits for cues	Calm households, patient owners
The Wallflower	Shy, hangs back, may hide	Experienced owners only, needs extra socialization

The Middle Ground Is Usually Best

For most families, especially first-time owners, the "middle-of-the-pack" puppy is often the best choice. They're confident enough to be resilient but not so dominant that they're challenging to train. Avoid extremes unless you have specific experience.

Questions to Ask the Breeder

A responsible breeder will welcome your questions and have plenty of their own:

About Health

What health testing has been done on the parents? (Hip/elbow scores, eye exams, genetic tests)
Can I see the health clearances?
What vaccinations and deworming have the puppies received?
Do you offer a health guarantee? What does it cover?
What health problems are common in this breed?

About Temperament

Can I meet the mother? (And father if available)
What are the parents' temperaments like?
How have you socialized the puppies?
Which puppy do you think would be best for my situation?
Have you noticed any temperament differences among the litter?

About Their Practices

How long have you been breeding?
Why did you breed this particular pair?
What happens if I can't keep the dog?
Will you be available for questions after I take the puppy home?
Can I have references from previous buyers?

Red Flags to Watch For

✗ Won't let you visit or see where puppies are raised
✗ Multiple breeds available or always has puppies
✗ Puppies under 8 weeks old offered for sale
✗ No health testing or can't provide documentation
✗ Pushy sales tactics or won't let you think it over
✗ Won't show parents (at least the mother)
✗ No questions about you or your lifestyle
✗ No contract or health guarantee
✗ Dirty, smelly environment
✗ Sick-looking puppies in the litter

Special Considerations

Families with Children

Avoid the most dominant puppy (may challenge children)
Avoid very shy puppies (may bite from fear)
Look for calm, tolerant puppies that aren't easily startled
Consider medium-energy puppies that can keep up but aren't overwhelming

First-Time Owners

Middle-of-the-pack puppies are usually easiest
Avoid very high-energy or very dominant puppies
Trust the breeder's recommendations
Choose a breed known for trainability

Multiple-Pet Households

Consider how the puppy reacts to other dogs in their litter
Avoid very dominant puppies if you have an existing dog
Ask the breeder about puppies that play well with others

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the right puppy from a litter?▼

Observe the puppies interacting, then evaluate individual puppies for health signs (clear eyes, clean ears, healthy coat), temperament (sociability, confidence, recovery from startle), and how well their energy level matches your lifestyle. Avoid the most dominant or shyest puppy unless you're experienced. Ask the breeder for their recommendations based on your family situation.

What are good signs when picking a puppy?▼

Good signs include: clear bright eyes, clean ears without odor, pink gums, clean coat without fleas or bald patches, playful and curious behavior, willingness to approach you, good recovery from sudden sounds (may startle but recovers quickly), and a breeder who is knowledgeable and asks you questions too.

Should I pick the puppy that comes to me first?▼

Not necessarily. The puppy that approaches first may be the most dominant in the litter, which could mean a more challenging dog to train. A puppy that approaches you confidently but not pushily, and shows interest without being overwhelming, is often a good choice for most families.

What questions should I ask a dog breeder?▼

Ask about: health testing done on parents, vaccination and deworming records, health guarantee, socialization the puppies have received, the temperament of the parents, what food the puppies are eating, return policy if things don't work out, and references from previous buyers. A good breeder will also ask you many questions.

Is it better to pick a calm or energetic puppy?▼

Choose based on your lifestyle. Active families who want a hiking or running companion may do well with a more energetic puppy. Families with young children or seniors often do better with a calmer, middle-of-the-road puppy. Avoid extremes - both very dominant/hyper puppies and very shy/fearful puppies can be challenging.

What is a puppy temperament test?▼

Puppy temperament tests are simple exercises to evaluate a puppy's personality: social attraction (do they come when called?), following (do they follow you?), restraint (how do they respond to gentle handling?), sound sensitivity (reaction to sudden sounds), and touch sensitivity. These help predict adult behavior and training ease.

The Bottom Line

Choosing a puppy is a big decision, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Focus on health first, then temperament. Trust your observations, but also listen to the breeder who knows these puppies best.

Remember that early experiences shape who your puppy becomes. Once you bring your new puppy home, invest in socialization, training, and regular grooming to set them up for a lifetime of success.

The right puppy for you might not be the cutest or the most outgoing - it's the one whose personality and energy level match your lifestyle and experience.

How to Pick a Puppy from a Litter