Choosing a Puppy

"As breeders, we have had years of experience in placing puppies. Over the years, we have found that it is not a good idea to allow prospective customers to view a whole litter and pick a puppy on their own. Many times they choose the wrong puppy. All litters have their loners, aggressors, and retreaters. Most people feel that the puppy who immediately breaks out of the litter group and runs up to them, jumping at the fence or barrier, is "the dog for me." We've often heard people say, "I didn't choose him, he chose me — he ran right up to me, and that's how I picked him." Trouble is, often the pup that "runs right up" is the most dominant, and possibly the most prone to behavior problems. Clients who are emotional pushovers and like puppy antics always fall for this approach. Meanwhile, they may ignore other puppies who come up less quickly, or who linger for a while. Yet, one of them might be the right puppy for them.

If you are viewing puppies, try to see each individual puppy alone, in a room. This is the only way to get an idea of the personality of each dog. Don't try to evaluate a puppy in its litter. It's next to impossible. If you are a novice at this kind of selection process, read up on it before visiting the breeder. There are several tests designed to help you select a good puppy suited to your personality and temperament.

Understanding Your Dog by Dr. Michael Fox and Behavior Problems in Dogs by William E. Campbell contain puppy evaluation tests.
 
Ask the breeder for help in selecting the right puppy. Some breeders will insist on making the choice for you. They might interview you extensively beforehand, to find out what your needs and desires are in a dog. Try to answer their questions honestly and completely. It is an effort for the breeder to do this, and many don't. But if they do interview about your feelings about a dog, it is a sure sign that they want to place their puppies carefully. The breeder will then match a puppy to you and your situation as closely as possible.

If you are new at selecting puppies, or if you are in a deadlock position between two puppies you are considering, trust the breeder to make the right choice.  The good breeder wants to make a good match and will not try to foist a bad or inferior puppy on you.  It is in the good breeder's best interest that they make a good match between you and your puppy.  Most breeders have had previous experience in placing puppies, know how to evaluate puppy behavior, and should be willing to share the results of their observations with you."

— Excerpted from How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend by the Monks of New Skete, © 1978

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NOTE: Breeders are increasingly using the Puppy Aptitude Test developed by Joachim and Wendy Volhard which evaluates individual temperament (dominance/submission; independence/social attraction) as well as obedience and working potential. It is conducted at the age of 7 weeks
by an independent evaluator unknown to the puppies.

Ask the breeder if they have conducted this test, and, if so, ask to see the results.

The reputable breeder