How To Choose a Puppy from A Breeder?

How To Choose the Right One?

You've finally decided, after much thought, that it's time to welcome a new furry family member into your home.

You've done your homework on Dog breeds to choose one that suits your lifestyle, and you've found a trustworthy breeder with a litter of puppies.

The final stage in choosing the appropriate Dog for you is to choose the right puppy from the litter.

Keep in mind that there is no perfect "puppy test" to determine which puppy is the best of the litter.

Rather, concentrate on getting the ideal Dog for you and your family.

Visit the Litter

From the moment the puppies are born, you should try to see them as often as possible.

Understand that you may not be able to touch them for the first few weeks owing to maternal protectiveness, which is perfectly normal.

Regular visits are a fantastic way to keep an eye on the puppies and socialize them with new people.

You don't want to choose puppies from a litter where the first half has already been sold.

The finest puppies normally sell first, so plan a visit with the breeder as soon as the litter is born.

It's best to be at the top of the visiting list, even if the breeder won't let you see the puppies until they're 7-8 weeks old.

Bring a trusted friend or a close relative who is the most realistic.

It is beneficial to have someone analyze the puppies alongside you, as this is a major life decision.

Keep in touch with the breeder before the puppies are born.

After that, the breeder should remain in touch with you to know how the mother is doing and when the litter is expected to arrive.

Don't buy Puppies from A Mother's First Litter

Inquire with the breeder about the pups' mother's litter.

You should ideally get a pup from the bitch's third litter sired by the same male.

This ensures that the mother has previously produced healthy pups with the same dad.

The mother will heavily influence the health and behaviour of your puppy.

Even with a good father, a poor bitch will most likely birth a weak litter.

It's crucial to spend time with the puppies' mother before the litter is born and speak with the breeder about the mother dog's health.

Talk To the Breeder About the Health of The Litter

A smart breeder will be aware of the litter's overall health and temperament.

The breeder should be certain about the mother pup's health.

They should also allow you to interact with both the mother pup and the litter during your visit.

If you find a trustworthy breeder and spend time at their facilities, you should have an excellent working relationship with them.

So, you may rely on him to assist you in narrowing down your litter options.

The breeder has been observing the puppies' progress.

So, he'll be able to tell which pups are dominating or a bother, as well as which ones are shy or naughty.

Don't be scared to question the breeder about the litter during your visit.

However, ensure that you conduct your own inspections on the puppies to validate their health and temperament.

Study The Litter as A Whole

Take note of how the puppies interact with one another.

You want a lively, playful puppy, but you also want to avoid a puppy who is overbearing or shy around his littermates.

Ensure the puppies are sociable, inquisitive, and trusting when they're with their littermates and you.

They should swarm your feet, yank on your shoelaces, burrow into your lap, and stare you down.

They may even begin to wrestle with each other or play with you.

If there are 4 puppies in the litter and 3 of them flee or bark suspiciously at you, this litter may not have the perfect puppy for you.

Despite not being violent or scared, the fourth puppy may be overly shy.

Shyness and suspicion may be in the pup's genetic makeup, resulting in an anti-social attitude when the pup grows up.

Don't let the breeder get away with dismissing the puppies' shy or aggressive behaviours.

If the puppies appear very aggressive or overly shy, this could indicate that the breeder did not breed them well.

The puppies should have been socialized by the breeder so that they are at ease around people.

If possible, avoid purchasing the largest or smallest puppy in the litter.

Rather, consider the litter size; typically, the more puppies there are in a litter, the healthy they will be.

Determine Which Puppy Character Trait Is Ideal for You

Consider the personality traits you want in your new puppy.

Are you and your family looking for a puppy who is eager to please or one that is more independent? Talk to the breeder about the personality types in the litter.

Puppies come in a variety of personalities, including:

• The Bully: At first glance, the bully pup appears to be very friendly and active.

  However, keep an eye on her if she snatches toys from other puppies or plays rough.

  She may also attempt to scale the fence or climb on the backs of her littermates.

  These are characteristics of determination, intelligence, and willpower; however, the bully personality may not be appropriate for your home life.

  To nurture and care for this pup, you will need a lot of time.

  If you have other commitments or are under a lot of pressure at home, the bully puppy may not be right for you or your family.

• The Rebel is a quick-thinking, playful, and engaging breed of dog.

  They're like bully puppies in that they're active and energetic, but they're also more sensitive and less violent.

  Rebel puppies will be friendly without being arrogant.

  Thus, they're ideal for an active owner or a family with older children.

• The Independent Thinker: This kind of pups is energetic and interactive, yet they also enjoy sitting or playing with a toy on their own.

  These puppies would be an excellent fit for a stable and quiet family, preferably with older owners or no kids.

• The Eager to Please: Who doesn't want a puppy that is eager to please? However, you must be a straight and stern owner eager to please puppies.

  This personality will require much teaching and conditioning.

  An eager to please puppy can give you complete cooperation with proper training and conditioning.

  These puppies make excellent household pets.

• The Relaxed Pup: Although less clever than their siblings, this type will balance fun, socialization, and sleep successfully.

  They will also suit owners who are laid-back and easy-going.

  Choose a relaxed puppy if their disposition matches their breed and you want to complement a home with small children.

• Timid pups, often known as shy pups, are born without a strong sense of self.

  As a result, they may crawl on their bellies towards you or arch their back in complete submission.

  You might be lured in by these pups' gentle, shy temperament.

  However, a timid puppy will require much time and patience to build their self-esteem and make them feel comfortable among other people.

  They are better suited to unmarried individuals who have plenty of time to devote to training and attention than to a family with kids.

Observe The Litter's Individual Puppies

Look for a puppy that isn't very lively but also not overly shy.

Whereas you may have a specific personality type in mind, most households fair well with a puppy that is neither overly dominant nor too submissive.

Look for a puppy that is calm, friendly, and doesn't growl or bite.

You want a confident Dog who struts up to you and your family, ears held high and tail bouncing with joy.

Individually, Interact with The Puppies

When you've restricted your search to a few puppies you like, ask the breeder if you can see them one at a time.

Take each pup in your arms, hug him, and cuddle him.

It's is not a good sign if he responds by yelling and wiggling.

If your puppy is uneasy or afraid of being picked up, you may have behavioural concerns.

However, a minor struggle initially, followed by a quick settling down and staring at you, is a better indication.

Picking up the pup is a fantastic trick.

It's a good sign if it flips over right away.

Feel the puppies' paws, lips, and ears to see how they react.

A pup who has been touched from a young age will not object to you touching them in these places.

Sit or kneel on the ground and summon the pup.

To grab the puppy's attention, snap your fingers or pat the ground.

He may have a strong bond with humans if he comes to you fast.

Assess the Puppy's Physical Health

Conduct a once-over visual inspection on every pup.

They should be round, not fat, and certainly not skinny.

Even slender breeds, such as Greyhounds and Whippets, have small, round puppies until they are about four months old.

A healthy pup should have bright, clear eyes that are free of crust or discharge.

They should have clean ears, gums, and teeth as well.

The puppies should also have shiny coats with no mud or dirt on their bodies or around their hind legs.

Around their genital area, there should be no pus or faeces.

Once you've reduced your search to one or two puppies, do two tests on them to ensure their hearing and vision are in perfect condition.

Clap your hands behind the pup's head to see whether they react to a hearing test.

Alternatively, you may stamp your feet behind them or leave a pair of keys nearby.

Remember that identifying a deaf pup out of a pen full of other puppies can be challenging.

Thus, try to do this test when the puppy is alone or away from the litter.

Roll a ball inside the pup's field of view and observe how he reacts to it by approaching and playing with it.

Take note of the pups' breathing and movement.

A healthy puppy will breathe gently, without excessive coughs and sneezes.

In addition, there should be no crust or discharge around the pup's nostrils.

It is also critical to ensure that the puppy walks and runs normally, without limping or appearing inflexible or sore.

This will ensure that they do not suffer hip or joint problems that could worsen as they grow into adults.

Examine the puppy's jaw control.

Allow the Dog to mouth your hands to accomplish this.

Then watch the puppy's reaction.

If the puppy is excited, you may need to repeat the test.

Puppies who respond properly to people and other Dogs when in pain are more likely to grow into adult Dogs with strong jaw control.

Take your new puppy to the vet within a few days of bringing them home.

Bring a copy of the puppy's vaccination and deworming records, as well as any other medical information.

Before you buy the puppy, the breeder should supply you with these.

Consult your veterinarian regarding puppy care and maintenance.