giraffez Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 I've been reading on choosing puppies from a litter and it is suggested not to take the most dominant one or the shy one as they are harder to train. Is this really sound as isn't there always a dominate and shy in the litter (because you are comparing)? The dominant one in batch 1 may not be as dominant as the most dominant one in batch 2 - so wouldn't that make the one from batch 1 a good selection when comparing with batch 2 and not a good selection if just selecting from batch 1? (hope that makes sense) What behaviour do i look for if a puppy dominant? Could playfulness be misinterpreted or considered as dominant? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esky the husky Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 Will the breeder be able to choose the one the they think best meets your requirements? They watch the pups all the time, you only get to see a snippet of what they are like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shazzapug Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 I've been reading on choosing puppies from a litter and it is suggested not to take the most dominant one or the shy one as they are harder to train. Is this really sound as isn't there always a dominate and shy in the litter (because you are comparing)? The dominant one in batch 1 may not be as dominant as the most dominant one in batch 2 - so wouldn't that make the one from batch 1 a good selection when comparing with batch 2 and not a good selection if just selecting from batch 1? (hope that makes sense)What behaviour do i look for if a puppy dominant? Could playfulness be misinterpreted or considered as dominant? What are you breeding for? For what reasons did you breed batches of puppies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koalathebear Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 (edited) What are you breeding for? For what reasons did you breed batches of puppies? giraffez isn't a breeder - she's getting a puppy as a pet from a breeder ... giraffez: to answer your question - we didn't pick our puppy. We just described our existing dog in a lot of detail and what we were after and she picked out Hoover for us. To be honest, it's safest. There are sooooooooooo many conflicting recommendations about choosing the dog and unless you're very experienced - you won't know what you're supposed to be looking for People were telling us we should bring our dog along to see if it got along with the new pup but there's a thread in the breeders' forum where a lot of breeders say that they'd let prospective owners bring a dog and meet a tiny puppy over their dead body. Some people will say if the dog is too bold then that's bad, if it's too shy, that's bad as it might have weak nerves blah blah blah. Some say see the dog alone in a field, some say see the dog with other dogs .. I was much happier to leave it to the more experienced breeder to make the assessment for us because she had been with and watched the litter for so long and knew their personalities. Edited November 12, 2010 by koalathebear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giraffez Posted November 12, 2010 Author Share Posted November 12, 2010 (edited) I've been reading on choosing puppies from a litter and it is suggested not to take the most dominant one or the shy one as they are harder to train. Is this really sound as isn't there always a dominate and shy in the litter (because you are comparing)? The dominant one in batch 1 may not be as dominant as the most dominant one in batch 2 - so wouldn't that make the one from batch 1 a good selection when comparing with batch 2 and not a good selection if just selecting from batch 1? (hope that makes sense)What behaviour do i look for if a puppy dominant? Could playfulness be misinterpreted or considered as dominant? What are you breeding for? For what reasons did you breed batches of puppies? i'm not breeding. I'm buying a puppy. koalathebear beat me to it Edited November 12, 2010 by giraffez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbirdblue Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 I have heard that you should see them without thier litters mates as a pup that show boldness may be skitterish without its mates, from what I understand for a good pet you want one that is comfortable by itself and with its mates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shazzapug Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 (edited) Oh ok....well it doesnt matter which batch has a dominant then....the breeder will tell you from which puppies to choose from.....I would pick the puppy with the best attitude. I always say there is this puppy and there is this puppy....one is big and one is little...people always say they want the little one. Dont pick the little one. Attitude gives way to accepting and eagerness for learning/training. Edited November 12, 2010 by Shazzapug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparkyTansy Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 Describe to the breeder what you want in a dog - then they can match your pup to what you are looking for. Shazzapug - can you describe what you mean by best attitude? The little one isn't always bad - but choosing the little one because it's little is not the right way to go... but the littlest migth be the perfect match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parkeyre Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 Whilst on the topic of littlest; can I please have some advice from breeders. - A litter born all weighing 20grams difference from heaviest to lightest and all very similiar in size. - At a week old, the pups are all gaining weight and looking good, all healthy and drinking well. - At four weeks old, one pup is noticeable smaller then the others (almost two thirds of the size) but still well proportioned. All other pups are normal sized for their breed and every single pup looks normal and healthy.. Would this pup likely be undersized as an adult or is this pup possibly just going to grow later then others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparkyTansy Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 Parkeyre - my current bitch was one of 9. She was the smallest all the way through. She thrived and grew perfectly fine - she is at the top of the height standard, and while a little slim, has good bone and muscle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shazzapug Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 Describe to the breeder what you want in a dog - then they can match your pup to what you are looking for.Shazzapug - can you describe what you mean by best attitude? The little one isn't always bad - but choosing the little one because it's little is not the right way to go... but the littlest migth be the perfect match. The best attitude is the one that is happy and eager to come up to them, not the one hiding or sulking away from the others....I have no idea of this future pets breed....but in my breed attitude is the one saying look at me, you must be here to get me!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaJ Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 Whilst on the topic of littlest; can I please have some advice from breeders.- A litter born all weighing 20grams difference from heaviest to lightest and all very similiar in size. - At a week old, the pups are all gaining weight and looking good, all healthy and drinking well. - At four weeks old, one pup is noticeable smaller then the others (almost two thirds of the size) but still well proportioned. All other pups are normal sized for their breed and every single pup looks normal and healthy.. Would this pup likely be undersized as an adult or is this pup possibly just going to grow later then others? To hard to know by looking at that age. They all have different growth spurts. You may want to sup feed the small one though. If you sup feed the little one now take another look at the litter at about 7 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 If you can meet the pups yourself, and the breeder allows you to choose the pup you want, the following method is to one I use... Sit down on the ground near the puppies and let them do what pups do. After a while, one or more will come and snuggle in your lap. Select the one that falls asleep in your lap. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkySoaringMagpie Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 Talk to the breeder about the kind of life you lead and your dog will lead and let them pick a pup for you. Ultimately any puppy you take home should be playful, curious and appropriately cautious in new situations without being shy or fearful. They all have different personalities but it's much more complex than dominant or shy. It may be that the most important quality in a puppy for you is that the puppy is laid back, rather than a social butterfly with their nose in everything, for example. The breeder has worked out their little personalities by that stage, and probably yours as well! The one thing you have to get right when it comes to choosing I think, is the breeder you choose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giraffez Posted November 12, 2010 Author Share Posted November 12, 2010 (edited) is the one saying look at me, you must be here to get me!!!! Is this one u describe necessarily the most dominant one? Isnt it the case that the most dominant one, is the one least shy? Or not necessarily? Edited November 12, 2010 by giraffez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cockerlover Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 IF you have choosen a ''GOOD '' breeder,they will know better than you which puppy will suit yr life style . They have spent many hours raising & watching thier litter . I always say ,go with the one that tugs yr heart strings hardest !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozstar Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 As a breeder I choose the pups for my buyers based on their lifestyles and what they are after in a dog. Saying that you should choose the pup that has a "look at me attitude" or "curls up in your lap" does not mean that the pup has the best attitude and characteristics that you are after. If you came to my place and sat down you would have ever pup in your lap all wanting attention Talk to your breeder, be honest in what you want. Leanne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becks Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 Tell the breeder about the temperament of the dog you already have, let them suggest which pups in the litter would be the best match to him and why they think that. Whilst on the topic of littlest; can I please have some advice from breeders.- A litter born all weighing 20grams difference from heaviest to lightest and all very similiar in size. - At a week old, the pups are all gaining weight and looking good, all healthy and drinking well. - At four weeks old, one pup is noticeable smaller then the others (almost two thirds of the size) but still well proportioned. All other pups are normal sized for their breed and every single pup looks normal and healthy.. Would this pup likely be undersized as an adult or is this pup possibly just going to grow later then others? It could be a pup with a health problem that will affect it later on eg underdeveloped kidneys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ons Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 I asked a similar question in an agility thread and was referred to the Volhard method, and found this webpage http://www.volhard.com/pages/pat.php that may help go with the breeder's instinct as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 Size, I have had the smallest in the litter grow the biggest at a few months old, depends on the breed. Re personality. I know the nature of mine between about 3 & 4 weeks old but a lot of how they develop depends on what the person who gets them does with the puppy. A shy one may bloom in the right place & the outgoing one can become quiet. Personality is not all genetics, just part. They may behave differently on the day you look according to the mood they are in. Once I had them tearing around the house like maniacs for hours & popped them in the puppy pen 10 minutes before the buyer came. They looked like they were dead so exhausted & just wanted to sleep & couldn't be bothered. I don't do that now Be guided by the breeder but the choice is yours & its which one you fall in love with. Unless of course the breeder tells you that puppy is not what you would be happy with at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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