Choosing a dog
What should I know about buying a puppy sight unseen?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Buying a puppy entirely without seeing it or the parents, whether in person or through a genuine live video call, carries a significantly higher risk of ending up with a puppy from a poorly run breeding operation, health problems, or even an outright scam. If circumstances genuinely prevent any visit or call, insist on extensive documentation, independent verification of health testing where possible, and be prepared to walk away if anything feels evasive or inconsistent.
Why sight unseen purchases carry real risk
Without seeing the puppy, the mother, or the environment it was raised in, you are relying entirely on a seller's word, photos, and documents, all of which can be misrepresented or entirely fabricated. This is precisely the gap that both poorly run breeding operations and outright scams exploit, since verification becomes far harder from a distance.
Minimum steps if a visit is genuinely impossible
At the very least, insist on a live video call, not pre-recorded footage, showing the puppy, the mother, and their living environment together in real time, and ask to see health testing certificates held up to the camera with visible identification details. Independently verify any certificate numbers through a public database where one exists for that health testing scheme.
Payment safety and red flags to watch for
Never pay the full amount before some form of genuine verification has taken place, and be extremely cautious of any request for payment through an untraceable method or under significant time pressure. If a seller refuses even a live video call, treat that refusal as a serious reason to walk away entirely rather than proceeding on trust alone.
Weighing whether the purchase is worth the risk at all
Given the real risks involved, it is worth seriously asking whether waiting for a genuine visit opportunity, even if that means a longer search, is a better choice than proceeding entirely sight unseen, particularly for a first time buyer without experience spotting warning signs.
Key takeaways
- Buying entirely sight unseen carries significantly higher risk of scams or poor breeding practices.
- Insist on a genuine live video call as a minimum if an in person visit is truly impossible.
- Independently verify health testing certificates through a public database where available.
- Never pay the full amount before some form of real verification, and be wary of payment pressure.