The pup you bring home will shape the next 10+ years. This free checklist helps you pick with a plan, not with your heart in the moment: start with your goal, choose the breeder first, then read the litter.
What is inside the How to Pick a Puppy checklist
- Family companion vs. sport or working: five traits to look for in each
- A breeder checklist: where pups are raised, meeting the mother, health testing, a written contract with a take-back promise
- Temperament and drive signs: food drive, toy drive, engagement with people, confidence on new surfaces, startle recovery, settling down
- 6 simple tests to run at the litter, one pup at a time
- Health and paperwork questions to ask before you pay
- Red flags that mean you should walk away
Start with your goal
A family companion should be friendly, come to people on its own, have medium energy with a real off switch and bounce back fast from noise or surprise. A sport or working prospect needs strong, steady food and toy drive, keeps going after a toy when it gets hard and is confident on odd footing. The most intense pup is rarely right for a busy family home, and the quietest pup is rarely right for sport. Be honest about your time.
Choose the breeder before the puppy
Look for pups raised in or close to the home, a mother you can meet, health testing on both parents with papers, and a breeder who asks you questions and cares where the pup goes. Pups should go home at about 8 weeks or later, with a written contract.
Simple puppy temperament tests at the litter
Ask the breeder first, and test one pup at a time when it is awake and a little hungry. The guide walks you through come-and-follow, a rag or toy chase, food interest, a startle test with dropped keys, a new surface and gentle handling. One visit is a snapshot, so ask the breeder how each pup acts day to day.
Puppy red flags
Walk away if you cannot see where the pups live or meet the mother, if there are no health results, vet records or contract, if pups go home before 8 weeks, or if you are pressured to pay a deposit right now. The full list is in the PDF.
General guidance, not veterinary advice. Ask your vet which health tests matter for your breed.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.