How to pick the right puppy?

So you’ve done all your research, chosen your preferred breed, and found a responsible and ethical breeder. You’ve made an appointment, and now you’re at the breeder’s house to see some puppies. In front of you is the mother dog and her litter of beautiful puppies. Some are snoozing, some are playing, and some are watching you curiously. They’re all lovely. So how to pick the right puppy?

Don’t just choose “the prettiest one”!

This is common sense. No good dog is a bad colour, and beauty is only skin deep. Just because a puppy is pretty doesn’t mean that it’s right for you.

Don’t let the puppy choose you

Some people will tell you to choose the first puppy that runs up to you. It’s tempting, but not the best way to make your choice. The brave and bold pups will normally run up to investigate you and get all the attention. The quieter pups will hang back for a bit, and as a result they tend to get ignored. So before you let any puppy steal your heart, give all the puppies in the litter a chance.

The Litter as a whole

Have a look at the litter as a group. If the majority are hanging back and eyeing you nervously, this might not be a great litter to choose from. An experienced dog owner may be able to cope with a shy puppy, but as a rule, shy puppies are not the best choice for inexperienced owners or families with children, as they are sometimes snappy when frightened.

In an ideal litter, the puppies will all be curious and friendly. Some will be a little quieter and might not run to you immediately, but they will all eventually come up to you to say hello. Take some time to watch the puppies and see how they behave. You’ll start to see their individual personalities. You can see which puppies are bossy, which are quiet, who likes rough and tumble, and who is happier sitting with Mum.

The Individual Puppies

Some puppies behave differently when their siblings are around than when they are alone, so it’s good to view each puppy individually. A pup that is bossy with his siblings around may be less boisterous on his own.  A quiet puppy may become a lot friendlier and outgoing when meeting you one on one. The breeder will be able to tell you more about each puppy’s personality.

Common Personality Types

All puppies have their own quirks, but there are common personality types in a litter. There’s usually at least one puppy who is a bully. This puppy often enjoys rough and tumble games, and may steal toys from other pups. This puppy is good for experienced owners who can dedicate time to training this puppy properly. Clever, quick-thinking puppies also need good training and handling, as they are energetic, but often more sensitive than “bully” puppies.

Some puppies will be quiet but clever. They’ll happily play with you, but are just as content sitting by themselves. Puppies like this will be happy in a quiet home, especially with older owners.

You often find puppies that are very eager to please. With good training and positive reinforcement, this kind of puppy makes a wonderful family dog, though they may be a little bit needy.

Some puppies are more relaxed and “dopey”. They might not be as sharp or intelligent as their siblings, but they are wonderful pets for families with children.

Timid puppies, as mentioned before, need an experienced owner. You’ll need to spend time building their confidence. This type of puppy will be happier in a quiet home, with an owner who can devote a lot of time to training and confidence-building.

Health

A healthy puppy should be round, with bright clear eyes, and a shiny coat. There are many other signs of a healthy puppy, but if you are concerned, it’s worth getting a vet to do a check-up for any puppy you are interested in. You should also ask the breeder about the puppies’ health. A healthy puppy is ideal, as this will save you from potential heartbreak and vets bills. Keep in mind that some breeds are more prone to certain health conditions, so be sure to consult with your breeder and vet.

Long distance

Ideally, you should try to buy your puppy from a local breeder, but this isn’t always possible. Sometimes the breed isn’t available in your locality or even in your country. Even worse, dog breeders in your area may not use ethical breeding practices, and the last thing you want is to buy an unhealthy or inbred puppy.

So if you’re looking for a particular breed and aren’t having any luck in your area, why not choose NewDoggy.com? NewDoggy.com is a company that helps to put responsible aspiring dog parents in contact with European dog breeders. These breeders are some of the best in Europe, using humane and ethical practises in order to ensure their dogs’ health and welfare.

NewDoggy.com will help give you peace of mind, and the certainty that your new pet is happy and healthy, from a well-run kennel, and bred by a responsible and ethical dog breeder.