Guide: how to pick a puppy from a litter
How to Pick a Puppy From a Litter: What to Look For
How to pick a puppy from a litter comes down to three things. First, check that every puppy looks healthy. Then watch how each one behaves with its littermates and with you. Finally, ask the breeder which puppy suits your home. The breeder has watched the litter for weeks, so that last step often matters most.
How to pick a puppy from a litter: start with the whole group
Before you look at one puppy, look at all of them. VCA Animal Hospitals suggests checking that the puppies have a similar body condition, neither bony nor pot-bellied, with clean, shiny coats (VCA).
Then ask the breeder a few questions:
- Are they all eating solid puppy food?
- Has any puppy had vomiting or diarrhea?
- When were they dewormed?
- Can I meet the mother?
A healthy, relaxed mother and an even litter are the best signs you can get.
A nose-to-tail health check
| Check | What healthy looks like |
|---|---|
| Eyes | Clear and bright, with no redness, discharge or squinting |
| Ears | Clean, with no odor or dark discharge, and no scratching |
| Gums | Moist and pink |
| Coat and skin | Shiny, with no bald, red or flaky patches |
| Movement | A clumsy puppy walk is normal, but weight should be even on all four legs |
| Energy | Playful when awake. Puppies sleep a lot, but they should not seem dull. |
These points come from VCA and from the American Kennel Club’s guide to spotting a healthy puppy. The puppy’s own vet record should back them up.
Reading temperament when you pick a puppy from a litter
Watch the litter play for ten minutes. Usually one puppy comes out on top, one hangs back, and the rest fall in between. After that, meet each puppy on its own.
- Does it come to sniff your hand?
- Does it settle when you hold it, or struggle the whole time?
- Does it recover quickly after a sudden noise?
VCA cautions that accurate temperament testing is not possible in very young puppies. Therefore, treat what you see as a clue and not as a verdict.
Matching a puppy to your household
- Busy family with children: a confident, middle-of-the-pack puppy usually copes best.
- Quiet home or first-time owner: a calmer puppy is easier than the boldest one.
- Active owner who wants a training partner: the curious, energetic puppy may be ideal.
Avoid choosing on color alone. You will live with the personality for many years, and with the color only in photos.
Ask the breeder
A good breeder knows which puppy climbs out of the pen first, which one loves laps and which one sleeps through anything. VCA notes that breeders have experience in predicting temperament and can help you pick the best match.
So describe your home honestly: who lives there, how active you are and how long the puppy will be alone. Then ask which puppy they would choose for you.
Picking a puppy from a litter you cannot visit
If you live far away, ask for a live video call. Watch the puppies together, then one at a time, and ask the same questions as above. In addition, ask for recent photos, weights and the vet record.
We are glad to do this for families outside Utah. Each of our puppies has its own page with photos, parents and price. See our available puppies, and read how to choose a puppy breeder before you decide.
Related guides
- How to Choose a Puppy Breeder: 12 Things to Check Before You Pay a Deposit
- How Many Puppies in a Litter? Averages by Dog Size
- Male vs Female Puppy: Does It Really Matter?
- Adopt or Buy a Dog? An Honest Comparison From a Breeder
- Cost of Owning a Puppy: A First-Year Budget Guide
See all our puppy guides, or meet our Havapoo puppies for sale and Goldendoodle puppies for sale.
Sources
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Choosing the Right Puppy from a Litter. vcahospitals.com
- American Kennel Club. Is My Puppy Healthy? How to Know, What to Look For. akc.org
- American Kennel Club. Can Puppy Temperament Tests Help Predict Adult Behavior?. akc.org
Sources were checked on October 7, 2026.
Ready to meet your puppy?
Our puppies are born and raised inside our family home in Eagle Mountain, Utah, from health-tested parents. See who is available now, or ask us a question.