Picking a Puppy Out of Its Litter
June 25th 2009 17:48
When choosing a new puppy, you want to make sure that you've explored all of your options before you decide which shelter or which breeder you want to get your puppy from. When searching for a new puppy, you'll quickly find that there are so many dogs and puppies that want and need loving homes, that it's unreal, which is why it's always best to adopt from a rescue versus buy from a breeder, but everyone has their preferences and remember even purebred dogs need homes (check breed specific rescues for a specific breed pup if you can't find the breed in a local shelter).
But, anyway when you're pretty sure you've found the rescue or breeder, it can be a challenge to pick that one puppy out of a litter of say 10 cute, butterball puppies that are running around and trying to get your attention.
The breeder or a shelter worker should be there with you to help you make your decision because there will be one puppy that will always be better for you, your family, and lifestyle.
Picking your new puppy may be a challenge, but the more time that you spend with the litter and each pup individually, you will be able to decide which puppy is best for you. For example, if you just pick the smallest puppy, largest, cutest, or fattest, you may end up bringing home a highly rambunctious puppy for your pretty docile lifestyle, or it may be a submissive puppy for your active lifestyle. Not only that, but by just picking the first puppy, you may not get a chance to best evaluate the others, and you don't want a pup who at a young age exhibits more dominant tendencies if you're not educated and prepared enough to potentially have an adult dog with those same tendencies which have probably worsened with time and age and improper training and correction.
If you have searched the local animal shelters and you've checked around for breed specific rescues and you just can't find the puppy that you want, then I guess that it's time to start searching for the perfect dog breeder. But, remember that there's really no reason to get a purebred dog from a breeder unless you plan on competing with the dog.
Many people believe that if you don't get a purebred dog, then you don't know what temperament the puppy will be prone to, but in all reality, mix-breed dogs typically have better overall dispositions than most purebred dogs from backyard breeders. And, remember there are many purebred dogs in shelters and rescues across the nation that need loving homes.
As for dog breeders, you want to make sure that the breeder is serious about what he does, and doesn't use his dogs as an outlet for extra, under-the-table cash. You want a real, reputable dog breeder that can ensure health certified dogs. Choosing the dog breeder that you will potentially purchase your puppy from can be just as important as which puppy you'll end up picking out.
There are many determining factors that will tell you whether the breeder is a serious breeder of the breed versus just a backyard breeder, but generally, it will take more than a short conversation to determine.
A few Identifiers of a backyard breeder can include:
* He breeds multiple breeds, and doesn't focus on just one main breed.
* He's doesn't know much about the history or standard conformation of the breed.
* He registers the dogs with Continental Kennel Club or doesn't have them registered at all.
* His dogs aren't trained for competition, whether show, agility, obedience, retrieving, etc.
* His dogs and puppies aren't health certified.
When it all breaks down, you'll need to choose your best judgment when determining whether or not the breeder is serious about the breed and is doing all that he can to better the conformation, temperament, and overall disposition of the breed via his puppies.
The breeder or a shelter worker should be there with you to help you make your decision because there will be one puppy that will always be better for you, your family, and lifestyle.
Picking your new puppy may be a challenge, but the more time that you spend with the litter and each pup individually, you will be able to decide which puppy is best for you. For example, if you just pick the smallest puppy, largest, cutest, or fattest, you may end up bringing home a highly rambunctious puppy for your pretty docile lifestyle, or it may be a submissive puppy for your active lifestyle. Not only that, but by just picking the first puppy, you may not get a chance to best evaluate the others, and you don't want a pup who at a young age exhibits more dominant tendencies if you're not educated and prepared enough to potentially have an adult dog with those same tendencies which have probably worsened with time and age and improper training and correction.
If you have searched the local animal shelters and you've checked around for breed specific rescues and you just can't find the puppy that you want, then I guess that it's time to start searching for the perfect dog breeder. But, remember that there's really no reason to get a purebred dog from a breeder unless you plan on competing with the dog.
Many people believe that if you don't get a purebred dog, then you don't know what temperament the puppy will be prone to, but in all reality, mix-breed dogs typically have better overall dispositions than most purebred dogs from backyard breeders. And, remember there are many purebred dogs in shelters and rescues across the nation that need loving homes.
As for dog breeders, you want to make sure that the breeder is serious about what he does, and doesn't use his dogs as an outlet for extra, under-the-table cash. You want a real, reputable dog breeder that can ensure health certified dogs. Choosing the dog breeder that you will potentially purchase your puppy from can be just as important as which puppy you'll end up picking out.
There are many determining factors that will tell you whether the breeder is a serious breeder of the breed versus just a backyard breeder, but generally, it will take more than a short conversation to determine.
A few Identifiers of a backyard breeder can include:
* He breeds multiple breeds, and doesn't focus on just one main breed.
* He's doesn't know much about the history or standard conformation of the breed.
* He registers the dogs with Continental Kennel Club or doesn't have them registered at all.
* His dogs aren't trained for competition, whether show, agility, obedience, retrieving, etc.
* His dogs and puppies aren't health certified.
When it all breaks down, you'll need to choose your best judgment when determining whether or not the breeder is serious about the breed and is doing all that he can to better the conformation, temperament, and overall disposition of the breed via his puppies.
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Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
That little brown one there is v. cute!
Comment by Whitney
The Female View
Pet Advice
Tech Stripe
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