how do you choose a pup

[Guest hyperion]

i know that personal preferance counts for a lot when choosing a puppy be it breeding, choice of parents, colour or type of cross, but im just wondering are there any type of specific behaviour that you look for when making a choice between one pup and the next?

i know alot of people choosing a pet just go for the first one that approches them, am i right in thinking that would be the dominant pup of the litter?

how does this sort of choice making relate to working dogs or is it no different?

cheers

hyperion

[TIMMAY 6]

Don't have a wealth of experience, i picked my pup up about 3 weeks ago. All the litter had gone apart from 3 bitches, and it was a bitch i wanted. 2 blue ones black and white. When i entered the pen i was mobbed by the pups, with some chewing my boots, some mingling round me. One of the blue bitches was keeping away, so i had a look at her, but when i put her down she was skulking at the back of the pen so i dismissed her, and choose the blue bitch that had been mingling around me, middle of the pack i suppose. Also check the pup over carefully for deformities. I only noticed a few hours after getting home there was a kink in my pups tail, which was diagnosed as a break by the vet, doesn't bother me or her at the mo, but i wished i'd checked her more thoroughly.

Edited September 18, 2008 by TIMMAY

[skycat 6,174]

Some of my best lurchers have been quiet and shy things, skulking at the back of the litter whilst the other pups charged forwards.

Twice I've bred litters and kept the pups that no one else wanted because they were too shy: they both went on to become demon workers: they were always a bit shy with strangers though: no bad thing in these days of dog theiving scum.

 

I'd agree that the pup that charges at you and jumps all over you is likely to be pretty dominant: those sort need an experienced hand. Don't feel you have to ignore the pup in the corner though. I reckon my GSD cross hadn't been chosen because she was a bit on the quiet side: and I've seldom had anything as keen in the field as her.

 

Edited to add: best to choose the up that fits in best with your own personality. If you are a loud, brash sort of person then go for the bumptious pup. If you are a quiet person then to for the quieter pup: you'll get more from it than the person who shouts and bawls at it all the time.