When the Last Pick in a Puppy Litter Matters
Let’s look at a couple examples. When meeting a litter of puppies, most people gravitate towards the puppy that runs right up to them with tail wagging and licks their hands! This outgoing, confident pup will be the life of the party. But he will also likely need some extra effort when it comes to learning to not jump on guests or bolt out the front door. This is not how to pick a puppy out of a litter, which we explain here.
The puppy who hangs back and observes first and approaches a little more cautiously may be a better fit when it comes to a more laidback family who wants a dog that is not quite so enthused! We sometimes find that the more gentle, easy-going pups are the ones that get overlooked during a puppy meet-and-greet.
Similarly, many people ask us which puppy or breed is “the smartest.” Some of our pups are standouts when it comes to our early training exercises, but again, a super smart pup is not the best fit for every family. A family looking for a service dog to perform specific tasks will definitely want a smart, extra trainable pup.
But the family looking for a relaxed companion to watch TV with would do best to gravitate towards a pup who is more average in intelligence. Intelligent dogs need a lot of extra stimulation and training so that their brains don’t fixate on learning to unlock their kennel door or other mischievous games!
Breeders have a variety of different ways of doing their selection process, so when it comes to the last pick in the litter, we recommend making sure your breeder can tell you a few things about the process and the personality of their pup(s). (Read what questions you should ask before buying a puppy here.)
Don’t get a puppy from a litter kept outside
If all breeders had big houses, it would be possible to sacrifice one room, preferably with a door leading directly outside, for the litter – but in the real world, not everyone has the space.
A little dog with a small litter of two or three puppies might be able to stay indoors, but large breeds with high numbers of puppies simply cant be kept in the average house once they start to get mobile. Puppies reared in a kennel and run, or a barn, have not necessarily been neglected.
Most good breeders keep puppies indoors for the first three weeks or so, and then they go outside into a safe area so that they have more space to romp about. As long as they enjoy plenty of socialising and stimuli, and their surroundings are clean, the outdoor litter is perfectly well raised.
However, if the pups have been shut away and not received anything other than basic care, indoors or outside, they will not be ideal to buy because they will have lacked essential socialisation and life experiences. Content continues after advertisements
Checking the Puppy’s Behavior and Demeanor
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1 Observe the litter as a whole. Notice how the pups interact with each other. While you want an active
how i pick out my keeper puppies from a million dollar litter MY PROCESS
There are few things more fun than sitting down in the middle of a litter of puppies and soaking up the cuteness. Puppy breath, puppy slobber, puppy doe eyes – no one can resist! Yet each individual puppy has his/her own personality, and there are better ways to pick your puppy than letting your puppy pick you. To have the best chance at taking home the right puppy for your family, consider these five tips:
1. Dont Get Hung Up on “Pick Of The Litter”. There really is no such thing as pick of the litter because the best pick will be based on the home and circumstances into which the puppy is going. Usually a breeder will keep one or two show picks based on their conformation structure. Pick of the Litter show puppies are often bold, outgoing, and require a good deal more training and management than most families are ready for. Pick of the Litter for your home should be a puppy with an easy going, moderate temperament, one who would enjoy and adapt to family life with ease.
2. Let Temperament and Observation Over Time Rule the Day. After the show picks are designated, the remaining puppies are matched with homes and families based on their temperament as observed by the breeder *over time.* This is key, as the puppy who is sleepy during your visit today may actually be the one who has been bouncing off the walls for the past four weeks! Good breeders or caregivers will evaluate the litter for temperament and potential between 7-8 weeks of age, and be able to match you and the puppy based on the evaluation results *and* their observations of the puppy over time.
3. Good Breeders Will Insist on Making the Match. Having the breeder pick your puppy “takes all the stress off everyone,” notes local Labrador breeder Becky Dannaker of Nipntuck Labradors. “People can visit the litter often, and not worry about having to choose their perfect puppy. While individuals are welcome to give input, please understand we have decades of experience and will make the match we feel best for your family.” She is even adamant about not identifying puppies (usually with color-coded collars) so no one–including her–gets biased for superficial reasons before they are even old enough to properly evaluate.
4. Dont Be Fooled By “The Puppy Picked ME!” Myth. Sitting in the midst of the litter, your mind can play all kinds of tricks on you, making up stories that can carry your emotions away from good critical thinking. A puppy who picks you by coming when called first, gnawing on your shoe, or climbing up into your lap is not picking you at all. That puppy may in fact be a little tyrant, controlling your body and blocking access to it from other puppies. Conversely, the puppy may be introverted and trying to escape from the commotion. There are all kinds of ways that puppies behave during a visit that have everything to do with temperament and nothing to do with you. Ty to keep your imagination – and ego – in check.
5. Dont Be Afraid to Walk Away. The only thing harder than trying to hit a 100 mph fastball in the major leagues is trying to walk away from a littler of puppies without taking one home. If you are unsure about the match that the breeder has selected for you, share your concerns with your breeder and determine if there is another puppy that would also be a good fit. If not, there will be another litter, another day. It will be harder to live with a dog that you dont feel good about or isnt suitable for your home, than it will be to wait for another litter.
So, enjoy your puppy-picking adventure, and have a clear, thought-out plan on how to handle your emotions before you sit down with the potential litter. (And of course, please dont rule out picking out a rescue puppy, or an older dog, which might be an even better match than a puppy!) If you are set on a puppy from a breeder, in general look for the most unassuming, non-standout, most moderate and easygoing puppy of the litter – that is the one most people want to live with. Selecting (or having the breeder select) the puppy who is neither first or last when called, is neither shy nor a bully with littermates, and is neither outstanding or underwhelming in the litter will often be the best match for a happy family: easy to train, travel with, manage, and adapt to your daily life.
Want more advice on selecting your next dog or puppy? Come see us for a Complimentary Consultation!