How do you pick a puppy?

[millitiger]

We're looking a little more seriously at getting another dog.
Currently a 2 whippet household-
9yro neutered boy is very quiet and easy, likely won't interact too much with new dog if it is bouncy, he will just take himself off to another room!
3yro bitch, much higher energy and very maternal to younger dogs she meets, however she is an alpha personality.

I want a dog that isn't going to challenge the bitch to be top of the pack as don't want fighting and don't want her nose out of joint either as she is my little shadow!
Hence thinking puppy rather than older rescue and also thinking dog rather than bitch as I've always found dogs more amenable in general.

But how do you pick the right pup from the litter?
My bitch was very quiet and was usually off by herself in the litter videos- never right in the mix or begging for attention so I assumed she would be less sassy than she has turned out to be!

Any tips for how to find the genuinely quiet pup much appreciated!

 

[CorvusCorax]

I'd advise breeders of what you are looking for as they will be observing the litter from day 1. Also if they can send you videos.

If the pup is away by themselves I always think of it as being too independent for what I want. I'd be thinking something in the middle - not too independent, not too attention seeking, not too bolshy or bullying of the others.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

I chose Bear because he allowed me to cuddle him in. The others (I confess I wanted the typical striped head) were very bouncy and didn’t want to cuddle. I was right with my assessment, he is an easy dog, a cuddle monster, mummy’s boy. Of each pair, one has always been very clearly ‘mine’.

See if you can visit more than once if you’re near enough. Please don’t go from one litter to another, tho, it’s not advisable for health reasons. Will you be looking for another whippet?

 

[Barton Bounty]

I chose the lonely one that sits away from the rest

 

[millitiger]

This was my little angel on one of my litter visits...


Not sure if another whippet @Cinnamontoast
I was dead set until my holiday last week when i saw a lot of Border Terriers and with some research I've done, looks like they would fit in well here too

 

[Moobli]

It’s almost impossible to know what temperament a puppy will grow up to have as an adult so I’d choose the one that appeals to you for whatever reason. Regarding your bitch’s personality, I’d also go with a male as he’s less likely to compete with her. Exciting!

 

[blackcob]

I have a video of my youngest at just shy of three weeks - still at barely eyes opened waddling potato stage - where the breeder sticks her camera in and she launches at it, repeatedly, growling and generally being an angry potato. It was cute then So yeah, don’t do that.

Be guided by the breeder (in fairness I did ask for a spicy one!)

 

[splashgirl45]

I chose a dog collie puppy and when I got home I couldn’t forget the girl puppy that had been all over me . I phoned the breeder up and said I wasn’t sure which one I wanted and was picking up puppy the next day.. anyway I took the girl and the breeder said she knew that I would as the puppy had chosen me. For my latest one I knew I wanted a black lurcher and chose the one I liked the look of from a photo, when I got there the breeder had the 2 black ones out and as soon as I saw him in the flesh I knew he was the one. He has turned out exactly as I wanted , so who knows the best way to pick

 

[CorvusCorax]

I have a video of my youngest at just shy of three weeks - still at barely eyes opened waddling potato stage - where the breeder sticks her camera in and she launches at it, repeatedly, growling and generally being an angry potato. It was cute then So yeah, don’t do that.

Be guided by the breeder (in fairness I did ask for a spicy one!)

Breeder: I think you'll like the black female

(Sends video of black female doing a hold and bark on his wife for food at four weeks)

Me: Nooooope

 

[Cortez]

I chose the quiet, reserved one: she's a raving looney!

 

[SilverLinings]

I chose the dog of my lifetime partly rationally (based on personality) and partly for the wrong reason (sympathy)! When I saw the litter she would watch the others and what was going on and seemed to be taking everything in. She was the most interested in me when I handled them, and the only one that didn't want to be put back down to go back to roughhousing with the others. It felt like we 'got on'.

The 'wrong' thing I did was allow sympathy to play a part. She seemed overwhelmed by the chaos in the breeders house, and made it clear she wanted to leave with me when I went for a walk to think about my choice. She also was undergoing a course of antibiotics for a bad bite she received from one of her siblings (she fully recovered and was otherwise healthy when I first saw her), and they appeared to pick on her as she wouldn't fight back.

She grew up with the same personality I saw in her as a puppy, and was the nicest 'person' I have ever known.

My parents chose their current bitch entirely based on colour and sex. The puppies were being bred by a friend of mine and the colour my parents wanted was predicted to be predominant (and possibly uniform) in the litter. Of the seven puppies only one came out that colour, and fortunately was a bitch. She has always been sassy and I don't think has changed; some of this may be due to her early treatment though as I suspect she spent her first few weeks being spoilt rotten by my friend who was very pleased we were having her and that she would still see her regularly.

I do look at conformation when buying a puppy (that of the parents as well as the puppy), health testing and COI, and I have a gender and colour preference. BUT personality also plays a strong part, and I have always been drawn more to one puppy in the litter/of my shortlist from the litter. I can't describe why though, it just feels like we will get on well.

Personally I wouldn't let a breeder choose for me unless they knew me well, although I would ask their advice on the puppies' personalities/behaviour/boldness/etc.

Obviously if you get a new puppy OP then it is the law that you post LOTS of photos on here

 

[druid]

Springers - the one that shows a natural hunting action with a low tail, wants to use it's nose.
Manchesters - conformation (predominantly hind angles and ear set), correct markings and some attitude

 

[Horseysheepy]

How exciting for you!

My mum once said when selecting a pup amongst it's litter, don't chose the one jumping up at the front, or the reserved one at the back, chose the one in the middle.

 

[Jenko109]

My whippet was picked by my partner based solely on his colour.

He has been fiercely independent since day one of bringing him home. Where a normal puppy wants to follow you around and have you in sight, he was quite happy playing by himself in the garden for long periods, caring not a jot that I was completely out of sight.

I will be seeking less independence with my next puppy.

 

[Clodagh]

I haven’t chosen many of mine. Tawny Smallest chose, and actually she wasn’t the one the breeder recommended for us. Breeder recommended her easier sister. Tawny taught me a lot!
Pen I did choose, she was the biggest pup in a litter from a small bitch. She’s now the smallest of all her siblings, as an adult.
Ffee was one of only two left, the other had a hernia.
Scout was a reject at 6 months.
So I’d say just go with whichever appeals. My breed generally is easy though.

 

[ihatework]

I’ve never actually picked a puppy!
Both the puppies I’ve had were earmarked for me by the breeder. One was a planned puppy the other the breeder wore me down over a couple of weeks

 

[Esmae]

Last whippy was in a litter of 12 and I got the first pick. Picked him because he chewed my chin. He hasn't stopped chewing since . Moral of story, don't pick a chewy one if you value your furniture or car! I think you just sort of "know" if the pup is right for you. Ours fits right in here. The whole litter are vocal, never had a vocal one like this before. The breeder is as surprised as I am regarding that. Pick the one you like, they are what you make them ultimately. We have 3 boys and they get on really well. Good luck and don't forget pictures when you have chosen your new companion.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

I picked my first puppy by gender and colour (ish) I wanted a dog and a yellow and there was only one in the litter, he’s a pita but I love him

My second puppy I picked as he was one of two that caught my eye, and was happier to be held. The other seemed a bit more independent, and the one I picked fell asleep on my knee. He’s only 4 1/2 months old but is lovely this far

 

[druid]

I’ve never actually picked a puppy!
Both the puppies I’ve had were earmarked for me by the breeder. One was a planned puppy the other the breeder wore me down over a couple of weeks

Oh, don't pretend you're not happy at my persistance

 

[fetlock]

A very long time ago I went with my parents to choose a terrier pup. They’d done their research, which said to choose the outgoing one.

There were only two left. One who was definitely outgoing, literally ricocheting off walls and furniture. The other sat in the middle of the room paying scant heed to anyone.

One wanted the boisterous one. The other preferred the anti social one. So they ended up buying both.

Once home, the boisterous one was as timid as could be and took a long time (years) to come out of herself. The other the complete opposite - podgy and bone idle but extremely sociable. But both equally delightful.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I know what sex and colour I want, if there is a choice but then usually let them 'choose me'.

Sister and I met the Rotters at 3 weeks, mine just settled down on my hand and went to sleep, sister handled one that almost fell she wriggled so much trying to get away, breeder recommended one of the others. We didn't meet the pups again until we collected them to rake home but they always 'belonged' to us the same way round.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

This was my little angel on one of my litter visits...
View attachment 121739

Not sure if another whippet @Cinnamontoast
I was dead set until my holiday last week when i saw a lot of Border Terriers and with some research I've done, looks like they would fit in well here too

Everyone needs a scruffy terrier, I keep saying it!

 

[JJS]

Aria was one of only two females in her litter. We met her and her sister, and both my husband and I were instantly drawn to her. It wasn’t the wisest decision in hindsight - it turned out she was the runt for a reason - but we’ve never regretted it. Whereas her sister wanted to stay glued to their breeder the whole time, Aria came and sat on my foot, and in that instant, I was sold. She was bold and confident but had an air of utter sweetness about her. She’s ended up being the most gentle, beautifully mannered dog you could hope to meet and has been angelic since day one.

Opie is a different kettle of fish! He was one of four boys in a litter of five, and there were three of them left to choose from. I’d known him since day one, so I’d had lots of opportunities to interact. We largely chose him because he was quiet and sweet and had a habit of getting pushed to the back of the queue by his siblings. We thought that would make him a good match for Aria, as we didn’t want someone who would overwhelm her. While he turned out to be a great choice for her, he didn’t stay quiet for long. He has a fount of energy that never runs dry and is no one’s definition of easy. Regardless, we absolutely adore him - even if we did think we were choosing a calm puppy

 

[malwhit]

I have just got a puppy, she's been here 4 days now. She is a Whippet called Lola.

After checking out the breeder and parents of the pups before seeing them, I have a few criteria for picking a new puppy:
1. Must be female - I don't like males.
2. Never pick a shy or nervous puppy
3. Colour is not important
4. Trust my instincts

I did fancy a non-bearded, easy care for coat this time. I reverted back to my childhood and got a Whippet

 

[SDMabel]

Our Black lab was in a pile of small potato like black labs ..... none of them had any distinguishing features at all .

She rolled onto her back and got cast like a small turtle and i decided yep that's the one for me.

She's turned out to be a grumpy little moo, one hell of a clown that we love dearly.

Our terrier we had the pick of two bitches, the breeder said one was most definitely more feisty than the other, I was going to give birth 4 weeks after we pickd her up so we went with the quieter of the two, the breeder was spot on. She's the most un-terrier like terrier going and the other bitch is still a wild card !

 

[Errin Paddywack]

My first one, we had a choice of 4 bitches, one chose me and another chose Michael. Mine was the quieter one so we went with her, noisiest dog I have ever had and very strong willed. 2nd was a boy and recommended by the breeder. We wanted a quiet dog to hopefully calm our girl down. He was perfect, big cuddly monster and loved everyone. 3rd, we wanted a bitch and had a choice of several. Again one chose me and another Michael but this time 'mine' also went to Michael and she came home with us. That was my adored Katie. Next we wanted another bitch and she was the only one, my Jesse who is now my right hand. Last was Maddie and she again was the only bitch available. Very different to my others despite them all being collies and has taken a long time to really feel as though we properly understand each other but wouldn't swap her for the world.

 

[Ceifer]

Mine was the last one left so I had no choice . All his brothers and sisters had gone to new homes when I went to see him.
He was pretty aloof for the first couple of months but now he is definitely my dog. Loves a cuddle on the sofa which he definitely didn’t want to do as a puppy.

 

[Annette4]

With Fizz we were allocated her (puppy walking for a rescue) so didn't really have a choice but when we went to pick her up, she was calmer and interested in us and she's the same as an adult.

Dobby was the only boy in the litter so we didn't get a choice (I learnt a lot of lessons including never have anything with Saluki in again )

With Fenrir, I'd already got my eye on him from day 1, even though we kept saying we didn't care outside of wanting a boy, he was the only grey bob tail. Watching the daily video up dates it became a choice between him and a full tailed red as they both seemed happy and interested without being the total chaos demons (luckily the instigators are female ). Meeting him sealed the deal, even though they were tired, he confidently came to say hello, had a cuddle with us both and chewed OHs shoe then fell asleep on his leg. The other male was far more stand off-ish and was more interested in terrorising one of his sisters.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I chose the quiet, reserved one: she's a raving looney!

Haha! I was told Cecil was the quiet reserved puppy of the 3. Luckily that wasn’t my deciding factor because he’s far from that!

 

[conkers]

No real science with picking my puppies other than I wanted a boy.
First puppy - had the choice of 3, couldn't decide so went with the one with the strongest brindle colour. He has turned out to be calm, gentle and kind. An absolute sweetie.
Second puppy - went to see the litter of 9 pups. As soon as i got there one of them headed straight for me and climbed up onto my knee. And stayed there. I chose him as I felt like he had chosen me. He is full brother to my first puppy but a completely different personality. He is still kind and loving but he is also very cheeky and giddy. Rushes into everything without any thought. But he is also the happiest dog I have ever come across and I wouldn't be without him.