How to Choose a Puppy From the Litter

Choosing which puppy to bring home is one of the most important decisions in the whole process, and it's worth taking your time over it rather than picking the first one that runs over to you.

Visiting the litter

Always visit puppies with their mother present, in the environment they've been raised in. This tells you a great deal: a mother who's calm and comfortable around visitors is a good sign, and a litter raised inside a busy family home, around normal household noise and activity, will generally be further ahead on early socialisation than one raised in an isolated kennel. Ask to see where the puppies sleep, eat and toilet, and don't be put off asking questions, a reputable breeder will expect and welcome them.

Choosing a personality that suits your life

Puppies within the same litter can have noticeably different temperaments. Spend time watching how each one plays, approaches new people, and reacts to being gently handled. A puppy who's confident and quick to investigate a new toy or sound will likely need a more active, engaged household. A puppy who hangs back and takes longer to warm up may suit a calmer home, but may also need more patient, structured socialisation early on. Neither is a wrong choice, it's about matching temperament to what you can realistically offer.

Checking physical health

A healthy puppy should have clear, bright eyes, clean ears with no discharge or odour, a glossy coat with no bald patches or visible parasites, and a good weight for their age, neither visibly thin nor pot-bellied, which can be a sign of worms. Watch how they move: a puppy who limps, struggles to keep up with littermates, or seems unusually lethargic is worth mentioning to the breeder and, ideally, having checked by a vet before you commit. Ask to see health records, vaccination status, and any relevant breed health testing for the parents.

Trust your instincts too

Beyond the checklist, pay attention to your gut feeling about the breeder, the environment and the puppies themselves. If something feels off, rushed viewings, reluctance to show you the mother, an environment that feels neglected, it's worth walking away, however tempting the puppy in front of you is.

Once you've chosen

The right training, started early, makes the biggest difference to how your puppy's personality and behaviour develop from here. Royvon has been a family-run training and boarding business for over 60 years, working with dogs of every age, breed and personality, including puppies with straightforward needs and adult dogs working through anxiety or aggression.

Related reading and support

See our related article on five mistakes to avoid with a new puppy. Our guide on choosing a responsible puppy breeder is also worth a read. Get in touch with our puppy training team to find the right programme once your puppy is home.

Getting the right support

our social enrichment hub and Preparing Your Home for a New Puppy.