How do you pick a puppy?

I’ve not chosen many. I did choose Cecil but from photos/video as he was a lock down puppy.
Spud, I asked for a black boy from a certain litter and he was the only one! Easy!
Dougie was landed on me ❤️
I did once choose a little terrier but I’ll be honest when I viewed and chose they were so tiny and samey that I have no idea if I got the one I chose anyway!
 
conkers said:
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.
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I love that! If a puppy came and sat on my lap it would be a dead cert! Even if I wasn’t looking for one 😂
 
We've never chosen properly ourselves, either we were gifted (fosters who adopted us) or we asked our lovely breeder to pick us a well-rounded pup of a certain sex. They are so much more experienced than us and look for a mixture of temperament (are they forthcoming? How do they behave around novel objects?) and conformation. All the puppies have been perfect for us, different personalities for sure, but perfect in their own way. Bossy girls have been the making of silly boys... and the silly boys have brought a lot of joy to their disapproving aunties!
 
CorvusCorax said:
I'd advise breeders of what you are looking for as they will be observing the litter from day 1.
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We did this. It was a small litter (only four) and all four were spoken for. The breeder assigned puppies to the four couples waiting for one based on the personality of the puppies and the situations of the new owners. It was very important to her that they all go to the right home and we were happy to take her advice. And she was right - our dog is perfect for us!
 
Well, our first dog was an accidental litter, and a present to me from some friends. There was over 10 pups in the litter. I just absolutely fell in love with this little black bitch from the first moment. She was bouncy and energetic but cuddly. Easiest dog ever.. so quiet, and gets along with everyone… very trainable…
My brother got a pup recently. He picked the quietest pup in the litter. He’s a quiet pup but not as quiet as he seemed at all!!!
 
Just what I do:

Don't go right into where the pups are, talk to them from a distance away & let the pups run out to you.
The one at the front will be too cocky to train. The one at the back will be too nervous to socialise. Choose from the middle ones.

By the time you've also eliminated ones the wrong sex for you, that'll leave a choice of 2 or 3. Be guided by the owner, if they know you & what you want. If I'm really not sure I play with the "short-list" for a bit & then walk away & see who follows me, or if they're penned in, see who carries on watching me after I move away. I reckon if I have its attention I can train it no matter what. (I should say it's working dogs I'm usually choosing as pups - we normally recue our pets as adults)

Wish I hadn't read this thread. I want a puppy now!:rolleyes:
 
Both of our GLPs were essentially picked for us by the breeder. She knew the puppies best, and the homes she had lined up for them.

I could have had more of a choice when getting the current pup but wanted to be guided by her as she had picked so well for us last time. We were lucky in that she has become a good friend, so we stayed with her for a few days whilst we came to the decision between us!
 
millitiger said:
Thanks all for your experiences- it seems a bit pot luck and I suppose points to the fact maybe we shape puppies into what we want them to be, more than we think 🤔

Will update, with photos, if/when we get a new arrival x
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I think if you buy a well bred puppy with the intended drive and interest in whatever you want to do with them, tbh any in a litter would do. Some would be easier and some harder, but if the blueprint is in place you are more than half way there.
 
malwhit said:
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😈
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She is luscious.
 
Auslander said:
No. I did look at setter puppies, but had a really odd reaction to the idea of having another one.
I've gone back to my roots and bought a Welsh Springer spaniel. I have to wait til the 2nd of October to pick him up, which is torture!
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I do like Welsh Springers. It will be a long months wait!
 
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