Planning Puppy Viewings: Hygiene and Best Practices in 2025
If you have decided to buy a new puppy, you might be planning several visits to different breeders’ litters to find the right fit. Whether spacing these viewings over weeks or fitting multiple visits into a day, maintaining rigorous hygiene is crucial to protect young puppies from disease transmission.
In this guide, discover why young puppies are especially vulnerable, how puppy viewers can inadvertently pose risks, and practical hygiene steps you should follow during visits to keep puppies safe. Plus, learn what to expect from responsible breeders in maintaining safe environments.
Why Are Young Puppies More Vulnerable to Disease?
Puppies are born with undeveloped immune systems. While they receive some protective antibodies through their mother’s milk, this natural immunity wanes before their own immune system matures. Until they complete their vaccination schedule and the vaccines have taken effect, puppies remain highly susceptible to infectious diseases.
Infections such as parvovirus, which can be fatal, are particularly dangerous for unvaccinated puppies. Parasites like fleas and worms also spread easily among young dogs. Since viruses can persist in the environment for weeks or months, indirect transmission through contaminated surfaces, clothing, or shoes is a real risk.
How Can Viewing Puppies Increase Health Risks?
Handling puppies from different litters or visiting multiple breeders in one day increases the chance of transferring pathogens. Clothes, shoes, and hands can carry viruses, bacteria, or parasites from one environment to another. Even contact with healthy-looking dogs or their living areas can introduce disease to vulnerable puppies.
Some breeders may prefer you to visit on a day when you haven’t been in contact with other litters. However, as long as you apply good hygiene principles diligently, the risk can be minimised, allowing you to make informed decisions without unnecessary restrictions.
Essential Hygiene Practices When Viewing Puppies
- Thoroughly wash your hands and forearms with soap and hot water before and after touching puppies or any dogs on the premises. Use specific handwash provided by the breeder if available.
- Remove your shoes upon arrival or wear disposable shoe covers if offered. This helps prevent bringing outdoor contaminants into the puppies’ space.
- Comply with any breeder requests to wear plastic aprons or use hand sanitiser as directed.
- Be open with the breeder about your recent contact with other dogs or litters, and follow their guidance on visits.
- If you have been in contact with unwell dogs, delay visiting litters and prioritise thorough handwashing and clothing hygiene.
- Avoid viewing very young puppies under one month old; most breeders only allow visits starting from 6-8 weeks to protect the pups.
- Ensure your own dogs are up to date with vaccinations, flea treatments, and worming before you visit any puppies.
What to Expect from Responsible Breeders
Reputable breeders maintain clean, well-ventilated, and spacious environments for their litters. They clean and disinfect housing regularly—at least weekly and often more—and manage waste diligently. Puppies should have constant access to fresh water and appropriate areas for toileting and exercise.
Breeders following good practice will encourage open communication, asking about your plans, your existing pets, and recent dog contacts. They will also be transparent about the puppies’ health checks, vaccination status, and any breed-specific screenings.
Questions to Ask When Viewing Puppies
- Are the puppies up to date with vaccinations and worming?
- Have the parents been health screened for breed-specific conditions?
- How often is the puppy area cleaned and disinfected?
- What steps do you take to prevent disease transmission?
- Can I see the mother and the living environment?
Summary: Hygiene Checklist for Safe Puppy Viewings
| Action | Purpose | When to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Hand Washing | Prevent disease transmission to puppies | Before and after each litter viewing |
| Change Shoes or Use Covers | Reduce environmental contamination | Upon arrival and between different breeder visits |
| Observe Cleanliness | Verify breeder hygiene standards | During visit |
| Supervised Handling | Protect puppies and ensure safe interaction | Throughout the visit |
| Ask About Vaccinations | Confirm puppies’ health and safety | Before deciding to purchase |
Final Thoughts
Viewing puppies responsibly means considering not only your own future pet but also the welfare of the puppies you meet. By upholding high standards of hygiene and selecting breeders who prioritise health and safety, you can help protect vulnerable puppies from disease and support ethical dog breeding in the UK.
For those ready to find your puppy, remember to visit with care and conviction, respecting the breeder’s environment and adhering to essential hygiene practices to keep all pups safe and healthy.
To explore puppies for sale responsibly and find reputable breeders, always check accredited sources such as the Kennel Club or trusted pet marketplaces.
