how do you pick a good puppy from a litter?

Question

what is the right time for a puppy to leave its mother?

Answer 1

a responsible breeder will match puppies temperaments to prospective owners,,,, you may be able to voice a preference as to color/sex but it is usually best to leave it to the reputable breeder,, as they have know the puppies for 8 weeks,, they know which ones are the most dominant, most submissive etc..

Answer 2

In general, you don't want the most timid or the most dominate of the litter (although, you may if you feel you can handle either situtation). Look for a puppy that is outgoing.

Having said that, everyone's ideal puppy doesn't fit the same mold. I like low energy dogs, so I would look for one that would stop playing first. I am a low energy person. A high energy person would not be happy with a dog that likes to lay around. They would want a dog that mid to high energy. Imagine yourself a year from now and decide what you want your dog to act like. Then share that with the breeder to help you pick a puppy that would fit that as they grow up (remember you still have to mold the puppy as it grows up but at least the puppy should be suited for what you are looking for). I recomend that you sit on the floor (if possible) and let the puppies play around you. Some of them may try to get in your lap, focus on these ones as they move around. Sometimes it's simply love at first sight.

I wait until puppies are 12 weeks old to sell them. First if they spend time with their family (mom, dad, and any other dogs I have), they learn a lot about bite inhibition. They learn a lot about living in a house (mine are raised in the living room and have lots of loose time), where to potty (may not be fully potty trained but they know to go outside), etc. Also puppies go through a fear period (like human babies do) at 8-11 weeks, if they are sold during that time they may end up with weird fears. Also my puppies leave with at least 2 of their puppy vaccinations and I know that they are healthy and eating. And I can answer questions on tempermant, health and play style because I know my puppies very well. I feel that this is best for a puppy. That is what you are looking for in a breeder. Some one like that who can answer your questions about the dogs/puppies, the breed and general care. They will also let you visit the puppies before their "go home" date.

Answer 3

Pups should not be taken from the litter until they are 8 weeks old.

As for picking the right pup, if you are working with a reputable breeder, they will help make this task a LOT easier. Good breeders will match puppies with the right potential owners. They'll take all kinds of things into consideration, such as your lifestyle, if you plan to persue dog sports of any kind, etc... Nothing beats a well educated breeder!

Answer 4

The puppy should be with it's mom until it's at least 8 weeks old, but it's better to wait until 12 weeks, because it's still learning things from mom. Spending a little time with a group of puppies and being observant, can usually help to isolate those with good outgoing personalities. They'll be in the midst of puppy play, being neither overly dominant nor submissive. If you crouch down, friendly pups, will usually run to your feet. When picked up and supported well, they normally won't fight or struggle to get down. Ask yourself some obvious questions: Does the puppy seem to enjoy being with people? Is it overly afraid of stimuli such as sounds or sudden movement? Most of this is common sense and can be done by anybody without preconceived ideas, Anything is better than saying simply, I want a dog with lot's of spots.

Answer 5

I agree with so much said 8-12 weeks. Do not get a puppy before 8 weeks, a good breeder shouldnt let them go before that no matter what breed they are, even if they are mixed.A good puppy depends on the breed type you are looking for and the temperment or personality of your family and the puppy.Do you want a playfull pup, do you want a quite pup,do you want a take charge pup, they have personalities like humans. Which fits best with you or your family? John R is more specific in his answer than my :"breed type" Good advice, definatley take those things into consideration. Backyard breeders dont care what the puppies look like as long as they are "registered" so they can charge you $$$$$, but the puppy may not grow to actually look like the breed it is supposed to be and so many of those pups end up dead or in shelters.You get Quality pups from Quality breeders who know what to do ,know what to look for in there breed, If they are show breeders ask why they are selling that particular pup, they should tell you,1 that he/she is not show material, ( pet quality)A dog should be a great pet, family member and be contributable to there breed 2 our pups are sold by contract with the agreement that that puppy be neutered or spayed at the appropriate age.A pet owner has no need to breed the dog, it is there for companionship.3 sometimes we have enough show material in our kennel that we just dont need another one right now., and more than that the pup needs a good solid home and family.remember those $$$$ dogs cost $$ to raise and take care of. They are expensive as well, because we as breeders have taken the time to know how to breed one dog to another to get the very best dog possible from there line we raise our puppies, make sure they have the appropriate care ,we are with the mothers and puppies 24/7 to make sure they are taken care of, some dogs are born ceserian, the cost of breeding artificial insemenation, testing .....ALOT goes into appropriate breeding!

Answer 6

You have asked two distinct questions here.Most of your respondents have correctly answered the second one, so I'll take a shot at the first. In choosing a pup look for these traits.1) Behaviour with siblings. Active or passive? 2) Ears.are they correctly poised for the particular breed? 3) Stance. Firm and erect or droopy? 4)Gait. Allow it to walk back and forth and see if it wobbles. If yes, look for another one.5) General health. Examine the eyes for cloudiness, the coat for a nice healthy sheen, the paws for deformities and gently press the stomach. If it reacts forcefully to this it may be ill. If it passes all these scrutinies then its a good pick. About the first question, the 8 weeks rule of thumb is acceptable, but if you can make it 10, it'll be better, allowing 4 wks.to fully recover from Immunization shots at six weeks

Answer 7

puppies should not leave mum until at least 8 weeks however some pups go through fear stages so this has to be considered, they are known to be at 7 weeks, 9 weeks and 12 weks so its all about striking the right balance and arranging collection in between those periods.
With the bichons breeds (specialise ) then we alloow going to new home after 12 weeks as they are very small dogs and we like to see how they are developing.
choosing the right pup is so hard even for show breeders like us, look at size, facial features, pigmentation on the nasal planum and pads, how it is socialising with its siblings etc, coat colour etc, all these play an important part and all are as important as the other.
hope this helps.
www.eurobichons.com

Answer 8

I might be mistaken but i think its about 8weeks.... Be prepared for some sleepless nights as they tend to miss their mother but im sure with enough love this will be a very short period... also if youre going after certain breed you should check always check what they might actually suffer from... eg: bone deterioration, cancer etc... if you are getting a puppy from a breeder he should give you a certificate stating thatb the puppy has been medically approved... Ihope i Helped!

Answer 9

hi there
you don't just pick a pup you let it pick you as well .when i get a pup i sit on the floor with the pups and wait and see which one comes to me and then put it back with the others and click your fingers near it and see if it response to you.you should not take a pup away from its till 8 weeks but most people like to get rid of the pups by 6 weeks.

Answer 10

The first step is to locate a good breeder and then you can't go wrong - http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com/choosing-a-puppy.html

8 weeks is the right time - they will have had enough time to socialize with their litter mates (bite inhibition) and are not to old to be socialized to new people and environments.

Good luck with it.