subject: How To Select A Puppy From Among His Littermates [print this page] When you visit a professional breeder to choose a puppy, it is important that you know which selection criteria are important. Given that the pup you choose will be your companion for the remainder of his life, you'll want to select wisely. Just because a particular pup is "cuter" than his littermates does not mean he will be a good match for you. There are many other factors that are more important.
Below, we'll explain how to choose a puppy from among his littermates. You'll learn why it is important to make the right selection, and some of the traits that suggest a particular pup will make a good companion. The following discussion will assume you have already considered which breeds offer the right fit for your lifestyle.
Why Choosing Carefully Is Important
As already mentioned, the puppy you select will spend the remainder of his life with you. For this reason, it's worth spending time to look for signs that suggest an improper match (which we'll explore in more detail in a moment). If you choose him based solely on cuteness or playfulness, you are essentially gambling with regard to his suitability for your lifestyle. Neither characteristic suggests anything about the adult canine into which he will develop.
All puppies pose a certain degree of developmental uncertainty. There's no way to be sure regarding the type of dogs they will become down the road. That said, identifying hints of health issues, or extreme behavioral challenges, proves valuable since both tend to become more pronounced with time. Identifying them now will prevent unpleasant surprises in the future.
For example, many owners adopted their puppies only to discover they needed perpetual - and expensive - veterinary care as they grew older. Others adopted puppies that showed signs of extreme shyness or fear, and watched them develop into fearful and aggressive adult canines. This is the reason it is important to carefully choose your puppy. The following suggestions will help.
Watch A Pup's Interaction With His Littermates
As your puppy develops into a full-grown adult, you'll want him to be sociable with other pets and people. A friendly canine makes a better companion. The manner in which a pup interacts with his littermates is a good gauge of his social skills and future affability.
For example, does he play well without barking? Is he comfortable with his littermates on top of him? If not, it may suggest he's uncompromising. Does he enjoy their company, or does he seem to prefer being by himself? Also, take note of the pup's reaction when his littermate yelps at him. Puppies from the same litter do this to inform each other when they are playing too roughly. If a puppy disregards his littermate's yelp, it may imply he'll do the same with others when he is an adult.
How Does The Pup Treat People?
Next, pay particular attention to the manner in which a pup interacts with you and other people. Does he seem overly shy or fearful, or is he willing to approach people and remain near them? Dow he wander away when you encourage him to come to you? This may suggest he is self-reliant, and has an independent nature (an ideal match for some owners, but not for others).
Also, take note regarding how relaxed the puppy is when you handle him. When you slip an arm underneath him, is he willing to follow your lead, or does he scramble away? Are there areas on his body where he dislikes being touched? Try to gently restrain him for a few moments to test his response. Does he remain calm, or become aggressive? If the latter, this may be an indication he'll be aggressive as he grows into an adult.
You can improve the likelihood that you and your pup will enjoy each other's company by watching him at the breeder, and making your choice based on your observations. This is the best way to ensure your puppy will make a good companion throughout his life.
