Hi, The breeder we have been in touch with has let us know that all of the new pups have safely arrived yay! We're very excited and can't wait to go and meet the pups. We've already done lots of research into the breeder and Mum and Dad so we've covered those bases. The breeder has kindly said we can have first pick of the bitches, although she can only hold that privilege for the first 3 weeks, possibly 4. This is simply as she has others on the waiting list and feels it's unfair to make people wait longer who are willing to pick on looks alone. Whilst we know that any pup we get we'll adore. We've read that we shouldn't pick a pup until they are 5 weeks as you don't get to fully see their temperament. If we pick ours at 3 weeks will we get to get a good enough idea of what they'll be like? We know we'd ideally like a darker yellow one which she has a few of, although we just want to see how the pups take to us and act towards us and their litter mates. Thanks
To be honest , I don't think you would really see a pups full character at five weeks ! OK , so some may be more bold than others , whilst some are more shy , but if they are well bred pups ( which they obviously are ) and well socialised , then their true character wont really come to the fore until they have " left home " ! Its a risk you run really , as there are others on the list , but it wouldn't bother me to have to chose one at 3/4 weeks , good luck !!
A good question. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will come along with the answer. I wouldn't be able to resist visiting - and all Labs are fabulous anyway!
I picked mine at 3 weeks. I've never regretted my choice. we visited him at 5 weeks and 7 weeks and picked him up at 9 weeks. He always seemed the same friendly, daft little thing. I never felt as though I wanted to switch.
This is hard, and the reason why lots of top breeders actually assign puppies based on what they are intended for, rather than allowing prospective owners to pick their own. I met my latest puppy at four weeks, then not again until 8 weeks (she was from Scotland, I live in Spain and Andorra) and, at the time, I only knew I was having one of the two bitches (because I had specified sex). Because I wanted to show my puppy and do some gundog training with her, the breeder waited to see which of the girls would be better suited for that. When it comes to just choosing a lovely pet, though, I think it's a bit pot luck. With my first two puppies (same litter), I knew the litter very well; I helped whelp them and stayed with them a couple of times before bringing them home. I had to choose my puppy (originally there was only going to be one) at 6 weeks. At this age, there was a male and a female that were far more pushy than the others, but, apart from them, the others were much of a muchness. And, vastly different to the dogs they are now. If you have chosen your breeder well, I wouldn't really worry which of the puppies I brought home, to be honest. Go with the one that stands out, if there is one. Otherwise, just point and pick. You'll never know how things might have been with a different puppy, anyway
This is how the breeder for my first dog did it and it worked out great. She knew what I wanted and knew her puppies. This would be how I would prefer to do it again - the stress of having to pick myself would do me in! Given your situation - having to choose at three weeks - I agree with the "point and pick" method. And if the breeder can tell you a little about them already, maybe that can also help which direction you end up pointing. I second this! I had to choose between two males in a rescue litter and had some interesting "challenges" with the one I picked for the first year. I OFTEN wondered if I "picked the wrong one" during that time. In my little inner fantasy, that OTHER puppy was MUCH easier than my puppy. When both dogs were about six, I heard from the person who had adopted the other dog and got a photo. The other dog was very handsome, had a very sweet and intelligent look on his face, but he wasn't MY dog and I was so glad I picked who I picked. And I'd felt that way for a long time - strangely co-inciding with the end of the crazy puppy/adolescent period. Guaranteed no matter which puppy you pick, you will feel precisely the same way - that you picked the right one.
I don't get to pick any of my pups - they are delivered to my door. I have fallen for every single one. They have been totally, totally different from one another, which is the joy and the challenge of raising Guide Dog pups. It's rather hard not being able to pick their name 'tho!
Hmmm...a challenge! If it were me..I would take a step back and think what exactly am I looking for in a pup? Ideally what would the temperament look like? Some breeders breed for good hunting ability and they are reared as puppies in kennels, some bred for temperament, and some are breeding very nice dual purpose dogs. The breeder may at 4 weeks have a feeling for the developing personalities that are emerging from each puppy, depending how what sort of line they are. Personally, I would put colour to one side for a moment( a yellow is a yellow....) and have a conversation regarding your expectations of the pup and as an adult dog.
Picked my first dog at a day old he was perfect. Picked my second at 5 weeks she is quirky but perfect for me. My 3rd I got the puppy that was left when everyone else picked he is perfect and is a cuddly darling. If the litter is good and healthy I honestly think whatever pup you get it works out.
Sounds like you have really done your research and are happy with the breeder - maybe a chat with them before you pick. Explain what you want to do with the dog, what's important to you they may be able to help. When we got Bailey we had the choice of two boys (the other two boys had already been chosen), and from the first instant I fell in love with Bailey - Can't explain why really other than when he was in my arms his tail did not stop wagging and every time I spoke it just got faster and faster. I put him on the floor with the intention of holding the other boy, and the few minutes I held the other boy Bailey was sitting on my foot and jumping up at my leg. My OH said "it looks like you've been chosen" and that was it! The litter were about 7 weeks old when we first saw them.
We chose Red at 4 weeks and picked her up at 8 weeks. We wanted a yellow female and had the choice of two, the third yellow female of the litter was already spoken for. Hard to say what is was but both DH and I chose Red out of the two - she seemed a bit perkier. We would never know though if we made the best choice. As we both love her, that's good enough for us. Our older Lab had been returned to the breeder at 5 months as the family that had her split. We loved her the minute we set eyes on her and she has been/is an amazing dog. I don't think you see their temperament until they have grown out of the croco pup stage - Red's is beginning to shine through.
I saw Plum for the first time at 4 or 5 weeks then 7 weeks then collected her at 8 weeks. I wanted a black female and there were only two in the litter. When I held her for the first time she kissed me all over my face then fell asleep in my arms, so that was that! The breeder held both black girls up together and although they looked identical and I didn't know which one was Plum, I still chose her.
Be aware that the size of a pup even at 7 or 8 weeks is not a reliable indicator of their final size. Cooper was quite small at 7 weeks. We did not see the whole litter, but we think she might have been the runt. She was about 2 lbs lighter than Tilly at the same age. Now Cooper is 80+ lbs and 24" at the withers. Tilly is about 60# and maybe 21" The breeders we have worked with have not made people choose a pup, until near the pickup time. With Tilly we saw the Pups several times and had decided that there were female that we did not want, and would have taken a male if Tilly had not been available. With Cooper we saw videos of the pups, but the breeders only brought the two available Chocolate females to Portland. We got first pick and chose Cooper because she seemed more engaged, even though she was smaller. Little did we guess how big she would be, and ultimately how well behaved though the first year we would not have said that.
