Can You Buy a Puppy by Video Call?

By Homestead Acres team · October 29, 2026

Not everyone can drive to meet a puppy first, and that's okay. A video call lets you see a puppy, ask questions and make a thoughtful choice from home. Done well, it's a smart first step. Here is how to do it safely.

Why video calls work

A live video call shows you a puppy moving, playing and reacting to a person in real time, which photos alone can't do. You can see the puppy's energy, listen to its breathing and watch how it interacts with other dogs and the people around it. You can also ask the breeder to show you specific things, such as the puppy's eyes, ears, teeth and gait.

Insist on live video

Photos and prerecorded clips can be copied from anywhere. Ask for a live call and ask the person to do something specific in the moment, like holding up a handwritten note with your name next to the puppy. A trustworthy breeder will be glad to do it.

What to look for during the call

Notice whether the puppy is alert and playful, and whether its coat, eyes and ears look clean. Look at the space: is it a clean, safe home environment? Ask to see the mother or other dogs on the property. Ask the breeder to place the puppy on the floor so you can watch it walk.

Questions to ask

Ask about age, vaccinations, deworming, feeding, records and any health guarantee. Ask what is included, when the puppy can go home and how payment works. Ask if you can see the parents. Take notes, and call back with any follow-up questions.

Watch for scams

Puppy scams are real. Be wary of a seller who won't do a live video call, who asks for payment through gift cards or untraceable apps, who has no address or who uses stock photos. Pay only by a method that gives you some protection, such as a credit card, and only after you've verified the seller is real.

Combining video with a visit

If you live close, a video call is a great first step and an in-person visit is the best second step. At Homestead Acres, we welcome both. We're at 6 Horseshoe Ct in Middletown, Delaware, and we're glad to set up a time.

After the call

Take a day to think it over. Talk with your family about whether the puppy fits your lifestyle. When you're ready, fill out our short application and we'll walk you through the next steps.

Schedule a video call

To set up a video call, call or text us at 302-344-1642 or 732-306-4821. We'll find a time that works for you and show you the puppies. Se habla español.

Video call checklist

Test your connection and camera. Write your questions in advance. Ask the seller to show the puppy's face, ears, teeth and gait. Ask to see the space where the puppies live. Ask about the parents. Take screenshots or notes of what you learn. Confirm the puppy's age, what's included and the next steps before you hang up.

What to do after you decide

Confirm everything in writing, including what the price covers and the puppy's records. Plan how and when your puppy will come home and prepare your house. Book a vet appointment for the first week. Even if you've met only by video, we want you to feel completely comfortable before you commit.

If you can't visit in person

Many of our families live too far away or are too busy to make a trip before choosing. A video call is a great way to start, and we're glad to send extra photos and videos. Call or text us and we'll make it easy.

Making the most of the experience

Treat the call like a visit. Find a quiet spot, invite family members to join and let your children ask questions. Ask the seller to let the puppy interact with a toy so you can see how it plays. Ask to see the puppy eat, if timing allows. And don't hesitate to ask for a second call before you commit.

If you live nearby, plan an in-person visit as well. Meeting your puppy and holding it is a wonderful experience that no screen can replace.

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