Hi Everyone,

Tomorrow is the day when we can go and view the puppies!!!! We have a choice out of about 5 as the mum had 6 dogs and 2 bitches and we are after a dog. Most of the people on the breeders waiting list wanted bitches hence why we have a few to pick from, so im just wondering how other people chose their puppy? Is there anything that i should look out for when selecting? how did everyone else decide on a certain puppy? I know that ill love them all and want to take them all home!!

Any help/advice would be appreciated!

This is difficult - we found it hard!

We actually chose the slightly smallest puppy not because we felt sorry for her or anything, but because she seemed to be confident and kept coming up to us. As they say the puppy choses you!

Hi

I have always chose my Jack Russels on there markings.I have definate idea to what I like and dont like. I have a litter at the moment and nature wise they are all different and I keep changing my mind to which one is my fave lol. You really need to spent time with them watching them play and see how they react to each other.

I think if it is a even litter, all friendly and confident choose the one that either has the markings you like. If it is a breed that are a solid colour then the one that just appeals.

It is different if you are wanting it to work or show. Then you look for different things and I wouldnt want to speculate on that. A pet though go with  your heart.

I have always been told to go for the one that comes running to the front and ignore the one that sits at the back. Not always correct. The one that comes running could be a bolshy character and be hard to train wereas the one sitting at the back could be quieter. Takes there time and doesnt rush into things and could make the nicer pet.I bred a russel like this and she was a brilliant wee dog. Kept her one because her markings were perfect and two she was so sweet I didnt think she could cope with the outside world.

I was lucky when I went to choose my GSD the bitch had 2 dogs and the rest bitches. The owner was keeping a dog so I was handed the other one almost like take it or leave it. I really couldnt tell the difference between the two but i have a lovely pet now.

I think to as long as it is healthy, the important bit is how you treat it when you get it home. You could pick the best pup and then ruin it by bad handling.

If you are at all unsure dont just pick one to keep the breeder happy. Ask to come back again and see them. How old are they now?

Wendy

Hi Wendy

Thanks for the info. They will be 5 weeks old tomorrow. We are going to see them earlier than the rest as we are going on holiday in a couple of weeks. If i said to the breeder that i wanted a certain pup, can she then let someone else have that pup if she wanted to? I really dont want to get my heart set on one and then find out i cant have it!

Thanks

Unless the breeder has said you can pick one dont be disappointed if you are told that you may have to wait before the selection is made. If she has a show home lined up she will not want to chose the best puppy for that home until the last possible minute. Also a lot can change in the next 3 weeks and the puppy which seems the most forward now will not necessarily be the same in two weeks time. Just go with an open mind and take heed of the breeder.

I was lucky enough to be able to pick from the litter and made my choice on the following basis:

1. I wanted a dog. So that ruled two of the pups out!

2. Although I'd never choose colour over character, ideally I wanted a tri-coloured JRT. Which ruled two pups out!

3. While his brother was leaping around barking and showing off shamelessly in a "pick me, pick me!" way, Nips came over to me confidently but less bumptiously and promptly sat in my lap. And despite his brother trying to push him off and out of the way, Nips just kept coming back and wasn't about to be moved! 

But first impressions of pups at 5 weeks old aren't necessarily good indicators of how they will turn out so do take heed of the breeder.

Asside from the great advice already given I'd just say go with one that suits your personality best e.g. if you're a laid back kinda person go for a more laid back kinda pup if you get what I mean :)

I was very lucky!  I saw the pups heaps of times, right from when they were a couple of weeks old.  I chose my boy for his outgoing and "potty" temperament and when he was 4 weeks old, he was begging for a bit of steak pie!!   I knew he'd fit in with the rest of my gang, which he has, and 2 years down the line I have no regrets at all!  The one before that (Staff.), I only got to see the once.  I chose him for his markings (stunning red and white). 
I envy you going to pick a pup.  It's such an exciting time!!  Enjoy!!

Sarah.

Let the puppy pick YOU! :)

Tell the breeder as much as possible about your family, life style and what you would like from your puppy and be guided by which one she suggests.  Remember that however long you are there, you will only be seeing a snapshot of the litter and the breeder will be spending about 16 hours or more every day with them!  The one that you see as quiet may well be the hooligan who has just flopped after being a whirlwind for the past 2 hours, and is now quiet and sitting affectionately with you!  The one who is playing while the rest of the litter sleep maybe doing that because the rest of them bully her when they are awake etc.
Temperament is so much more important than looks and markings, unless you want to show (in which case still be guided by the breeder if they know what they are talking about!) when you are living with them for the next 15 years.
Enjoy your visit! :)

I had the same experience as Roz, my Henry just kept coming over to lie in my lap, and I couldn't really see any of the others because he was always right there! The breeder knew I wanted something to show and thought he was a pretty good bet (though she didn't know he would go on to win the first CC for that affix!!). I agree you should tell the breeder what sort of dog you want, and let them guide you, they will know the characters of the puppies very well. Have fun! :-)

Spend some relaxed time there with the breeder and the puppies. make sure the ones you are looking at are free to chose from. Then, sit on the floor and let them all walk over you etc. As time goes by, and a cup of tea is produced, you will find the puppies will go back to their beds or wander off, as you become less center of attention. I would then say, pick the one that wants to stay with you. This is what I have done, and i have 2 friends who breed and they say this works every time. You then need to make sure that the puppy is well marked (felt tip mark in the inside of the ear is good) so you know which one he is when you collect him, and take pictures, if he has identifiable marks make sure you picture them.

Good Luck!! You must be soooooooo excited :)

A tip if you're going to mark the inside of the ear with a marker - make sure you mark the puppy's left ear in case the breeder has them tattooed; that's always done in the right ear! :)

Calmstorm is right! I had to laugh when potential owners came to see my last litter and decided they would have the one who picked them. The pups had just woken, done the necessary and the couple sat on the floor - result? They were flat on their backs with all 9 rushing over! After a couple of hours though, they at least had a shortlist - of all the boys :D

This website has some interesting tips on "testing" your potential puppy.  Don't know if these ideas are still in vogue so maybe someone else will check it out and comment back.  Have to admit too, although we knew of many of these so-called tests, and did them, we wanted a black female (Lab) and there was only one in the lot of 40 puppies and we took her and she is great.

http://www.familydogonline.com/CompProspect.htm