How do you "pick" a puppy?

[KellyP]

Hi folks,

I've read lots of info on how to find a reputable breeder and how to train your puppy, but there doesn't seem to be much out there on actually picking a puppy.
Obviously I understand that not everyone can pick their puppy, as usually due to others purchasers / the breeders discretion to keep one or more etc, you may have no choice.
However, saying you did have the choice - how would you know which pup was right? Barring colour and confirmation of course.
I've read somewhere that the first pup that comes to you could turn out to be too bossy and and bold in nature - needing strong and firm training,  whilst the one that hangs back the longest could be sensitive and nervous. Is any of this true? or if they come from a good breeder and have good socialisation from early on are they all likely to have similiar temperaments?                    

[Magic Star]

Hmmmmm am I getting this wrong, or do I hear the patter of tiny paws is on the cards at the Kelly household? :wink:  You lucky girl!!  

On the choosing side of it,  I have gone for both sides of the coin in the past and have found both the same to train   But thats just my personal experience and they were two different breeds.

Good luck

Emma and Indie                    

[Colin]

Hi Kelly

Check out this link for the Vollhard puppy aptitude test.

www.dogtraining.co.uk/aptitude.html

I read a version of it in Jon Fisher's Think Dog book before getting Misty. On the day to choose though, all objectivity went out the window and I picked her cos she was the cutest  :roll: and also as she seemed less obsessed with nibbling me than the others . She sure made up for it when I got her home though.                    

[Dessie]

Hi Kelly

I think it goes down to personal choice really.  I would prefer a puppy to come up to me and this would be the one I would take home.  I wouldn't pick a puppy that didn't seem interested in visitors.

Have a look at this which is a link on Chris Pritchard of Powerscourt Cockers website - I'm sure she will not mind me including it on this message http://www.powerscourt-cockers.com/Choosin...20A%20Puppy.htm                    

[*Jay*]

When we went to pick Brook he was the one hanging back and me being the silly 13 year old that i was, felt sorry for him and so we took him home. He certainly does have a very nervous disposition and when he gets scared/nervous, he snaps. That could probably be down to a number of factors but when I went to see Dallas(coming from the same breeder and knowing that he was the only one left and that I had always wanted a little black boy :wink: ) I made a decision that if he was hanging back like Brook was, then I wouldn't take him. I love brook to death and wouldn't part with him for all the money in the world, but I couldn't have another one like him as he can be quite Jekyll and Hyde. When I had to go and pick Vegas, he was only 2 weeks old and that is nigh on impossible as they have no personality. I picked him beacuse he had markings similar to his mum(I did try and claim her instead but they were having none of it ). I went to see them again at 5 weeks old and there were a couple of family members who had backed out and his breeder did offer me the chance to change my mind now that I had seen what their characters were like but I stuck with him. He was confident but not overly so. I think its a hard decision to make but yet one of the most fun parts of getting a puppy.                    

[PennyB]

I worried about this one especially when I had the pick of the litter for Wilf and he was 1 of 9. Funnily enough it was very easy as I got this gut feeling. While all the others rushed forward he hung back, not sadly, but jumping up and down and indicating with his paws that he wanted to play and he wanted to be different than the others. He's a real character and a joy to own.                    

[Gilly]

I went with my friend Margaret when she picked her puppy Roana and originally she had gone to buy a blue bitch, having the choice of 2 out of the litter. When we got there, there were also 2 orange roan bitches. Margaret went straight to the blue bitches and I hung back and watched them all playing. After a while one of the little orange bitches came up to the side of the pen to investigate and starting jumping up at the side, even though Margaret was intent at looking at the blue bitches, little Roana was having non of it  :wink: and kept going until she got noticed. She was sooo pretty and has the most WONDERFUL nature, she really is a real doll. Needless to say, Margaret and her husband had a short discussion and decided that Roana was the one for them  
When I went to buy Buttons I was actually going to pick a Blue bitch. The puppies at the time were only 10 days old, so I was told that I could come back in 3 weeks and pick then, and put my name down on the list. As we were leaving we (me and Margaret  :wink: ) were in a little room which was FULL of rosettes and Margaret was gabbing away about how she loved the Liver Roans..."Oh I have a litter of those" we were told  :shock:
I then came home and after discussion with hubby decided to phone the breeder back and see if I could come and pick one of the Liver bitches instead. I went back the next day and out of 4 bitches only chose to choose from 2 as there were only 2 with perfect teeth  :wink:
It was a very hard decision as the 2 bitches I had to chose from were completely different. The other little bitch had a completely dark head with just a little white streak on the top, and Buttons had what I would call the "cocker mask". I was defintely drawn more towards Butty and then asked the breeders advice which one she would chose and she told me she would pick Butty.....so i went back to pick her up 2 weeks later, and have been in love ever since  :wink:    
All a bit long winded that      But i suppose it depends on what you are looking for? If you are looking to show then I would expect you may need the guidance of the breeder to help you pick  :wink:

Gilly                    

[KellyP]

Thanks for the replies guys and girls - Colin, Dessie - thanks for the links, they made good reading  

Emma - well now, I really couldn't comment  :twisted:     You'll have to wait and see (but I'll give you a clue ---->             )

 

K                    

[Magic Star]

:shock:  :mrgreen: Aww thats great news Kelly

Emma and Indie

Ps: shhhhhhh I wont tell anyone, don't worry  :wink:  Does Tristian know by the way??? :?                    

[Dessie]

Emma - well now, I really couldn't comment  :twisted:     You'll have to wait and see (but I'll give you a clue ---->             )

 

K

So you are getting another Puppy   from the same Breeder ??  Oh do tell I'm so jealous  :twisted:  :twisted:                    

[Loraine]

Hi Kelly

When I chose Candy I had the pick of the last two.  I picked her because she was the smallest and just looked so cute.  Her sister (who incidentally I almost acquired in May) was just as lovely but I picked Candy.  No real logic just went with my gut feeling.

When I chose Georgia I had the pick of the litter.  She was the boldest one.  She was lively and came straight over to us and I thought she'd picked me.  Also I believed that if I picked the strongest, liveliest one I'd be less likely to have health problems.  In my mind a quiet shy one meant it could be sick or might be really nervy.   Please don't laugh at this one but I've always had a fear of owning a dog that wees when it's nervous or because it's overly submissive.  All of this was in the back of my mind when I picked Georgia.  Absolute madness I know but you'll have to forgive my ignorance.  :roll:

I've had some big problems now with the two of mine fighting and apart from them being both solid coloured, bitches and quite close in age, factors which have been suggested that could increase the likelihood of tension,  I'm quite sure it's basically because they both have very strong personalities.  There's absolutely no way of telling for sure whether if I'd picked a less bold puppy or a different coloured puppy I wouldn't have the squabbles I've had recently.  But somewhere in the back of my mind it still niggles away and if given the chance I'd do things very differently.

Don't know if my ramblings have helped you in anyway (probably not) but I suppose after what I've gone through recently I now know you really have to think long and hard about if the temperament  of your new pup will complement that of Millie's.  There are no gurarantees and I'm sure everything will be just fine but it's just something else I wish had thought about more and therefore thought I'd mention it to you.  

Loraine                    

[TOPAZ BILLY]

The choice was taken out of our hands as Billy picked us    as we where talking to the breeder I had but my handbag on the floor, we chatted for about 10 mins and we agreed to come back the next day to pick with my daughter , I looked down for my bag just in time to see a little chap trying to climb into it he has been with us ever since

Michelle                    

[Silver Surfer (indiesnan)]

Awww  Michelle thats a lovely story.    We chose Nell, because she wasn't bothered whether we were there or not.    :roll:   Which in hindsight, was very silly.  :oops:   She  was very hard work, for the first couple of years, very pushy and dominant :shock: Now she she is a little angel,   follows us around everywere ,and is soooo affectionate.   Mind you she still has her mad moments.   :roll:  


   Barb                    

[cbabe]

Go with your gut!!!! I'f it feels right and it appears healthy then you have probably found the one!!!!!

I chose fern at 4 days - she chose me at 4 months, waddled over and snored loudly on my lap for an hour!!!! Match made in heaven - and some things never change, Eh Fern...... (fern........SSSNNNNOOOOORRREEE)!                    

[KellyP]

Loraine,

after reading through the experiences that both yourself and Pammy have experience with getting a second dog this is exactly why I posted.
I'm unsure of Millie's exact temperament, she seems to be a bit in the middle. She can be lively biosterous and mental at times, and is very bold and friendly when it comes to other dogs. However, some other dogs can / do intimidate her, and she spends most of the time rolling around on the floor being all submissive, making funny yelpy noises. So I guess the best idea is one that definately isn't too bold - cos that might cause fights, but is somewhee in the middle, so that Millie doesn't scare it to death, and that it doesn't put Millie's nose out of joint by being to bold and bossy!
That said when we first picked her up she was very quiet, but very friendly. She was like this for a week then, presumably, she settled in and has been a nutter ever since! So I guess even if we tried to pick a semi-quiet one we'd have every possibility of it becoming mad, after all it will be a cocker :wink:

Kel

PS - Em -  yes Tristian does know, he thinks its a great idea, I must have a magical convincing skill or something   and Dessie, yes from the same breeder - first lots of pups have been born, but there were only 3;  there's a second litter due shortly, fingers crossed for more in this one, and one for us!