Choosing a puppy (dumb question alert)

[Benjamin]

What do you look at when choosing a puppy? From a litter?

Is it about bright eyes and bushy tails........conformation? etc......

See, said it was a dumb question

 

[showjumpinglover]

i go for looks and personality

 

[sloulou]

Oooh - are you getting a puppy

I was told to go for the middle of the litter - not too assertive, not too quiet

Obviously - healthy too... so all the bright eye stuff etc. And lovely parents

Also - check no obvious deformity I guess... but could be hard to see...

 

[CorvusCorax]

I would always go for the one that comes straight up, "look at me, check me out" - positive body language as opposed to aggressive or submissive.

The shy ones may look cute, but depending on the breed and your family circumstances, it can be a huge risk to pick a dog out of pity.

Soundness (if you can tell at that age!) bright eyes, condition, obviously see both parents if you can.

Oh, and puppies sometimes have a habit of picking YOU rather than the other way around....

 

[random_rider]

With Maggie we went for her because one pup was shyer then teh rest, one was a bit....chubby... lol so could have weight problems later, and one was mad so we picked mags!
But in the end mags is mad, just tok a fewmins longer then the other

We have to watch her weight! And shes shy round new dogs

! ! So in the end they are normally the same

 

[ShadowFlame]

Most of the time you just know which one is for you. If you really can't decide, then check for any conformation issues or deformities, then assess the puppy's temperament to see how they would fit in at home (e.g., if you have a busy, noisy household with children, then you wouldn't want a shy pup, etc).

When I picked my pup I knew which one I liked the moment they waddled through the door. When it turned out that she was the only bitch and was the quieter of the two pups, my mind was made up.

 

[Nudibranch]

We were told to go for the middle puppy as first time owners, and I was set on getting a bitch. When we went to choose, OH fell for the nosy, confident puppy, who was also a dog. I have to say, it was an excellent choice though, he is the most lovely dog and I have had so, so many compliments about his looks and temperament! So I don't think you can go too far wrong with your instincts, so long as the litter is healthy and from a good breeder.

 

[Puppy]

[ QUOTE ]
Oh, and puppies sometimes have a habit of picking YOU rather than the other way around....

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto that!!