Are you chosen!?

I pretty much let the breeder choose for me based on what I told her I was looking for. The main thing for me was than I wanted a smaller size sheltie who was not extremely crazy active. Meggie was what her breeder referred to as "a little bit." She brought her out to me and put her in my lap. Meggie just sat there as content as could be, watching what was going on (another couple was there looking at the pups too.) She curled up against me and I fell in love. I almost took her without even looking at the other pups. I went over to the X-pen, peered in at the rest and said, "I'll take her!" She's been my little shadow ever since.

When we went to meet Cooper there was quite a bit going on at Judy's. She has at least 6 kennels in her livingroom and dogs all over the place. Meggie sat between my legs and Cooper came over and laid his head on my leg. He is truly the sweetest dog you'd ever want to meet. It wasn't a hard decision to take him home. Did he choose us? Probably not as he has chosen every person who has ever come into my house. He loves to cuddle with everyone!

I'm sure between you and the breeder you will choose a great dog for your family!
 
hmm, choosing a puppy has been topic very close to my heart... many good points are brought above...
first goes level of energy in your present dog- high, medium or low... When we were choosing our pup out of litter of 7 we were looking for "middle pup" with medium energy, we performed bunch of tests that many book describe- blanket, holding, playing, foreign object, retrieving, communication, interest in human, choosing space, interaction... I do believe we choose middle pup at that time... but I am also restless person, when I see my dog sitting patiently at my bedsite in the morning waiting for us to wake up and take him for the walk I kind of start checking out what is wrong... so now Che bounces off the walls bursting with energy...
Now what kind of energy dog should second pup be?
male puppy will/ should be always naturally submissive to the female...
Che is already naturally submissive to Sammy so I want second dog to be male... I def do not want new pup to be more energy than Che is...
Che loves agility so new pup should be good agility dog- means has to be good structure, angulation and no noise sensitive...
I am not ready for " ferrari" agility dog so am not looking for bold speed demon... I will be very comfy with smaller version of Che but little cuddlier...
Che was not a cuddler since the beginning, he liked his space and shown it well... I think cuddlier dogs will allow you more into their space from the get go... have better interest in humans and what are they doing, be more patient, slightly more laid back....
that is what I am telling to myself...
 
How you don't choose a pup is like I chose Ember. Based on color. I saw the handwriting on the wall that she was going to be difficult. Her co breeder said she was going to be difficult. But I took her anyway. I was use to difficult girls so I decided I would take on the challenge. There was another bi blue girl and she was too laid back for me. I don't do well with quiet and laid back types. So I got the feisty one.

Justice had everything in my list of must haves for a pup and didn't know he was available at the time. When found out he was available I asked his breeder if what I was seeing was correct and she comfirmed it. Same with Diva. Justice and Diva are more similar than different. Cuddling isn't high on my list but wanting to be with and being responsive to people is. Like tofupup said the breeder or those who raise the litter know them best. Ask specifc questions to make the decision if you have a choice.
 
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Interesting thread.

Like others, I never really got to choose. I got what was available.

That being said, Tofu's Mom is right on the money

1) Tell the breeder what you are looking for. Pure companion pet? Wanting to do agility? A good breeder would be able to attempt to match a pup to that.

2) Nature vs. Nurture! Ah! I took an entire course in college on the subject. There is no question that certain lines breed different kinds of dogs, personality-wise. And then when you start factoring in line-breeding you can exaggerate these lines further. I've had two Laureate dogs and while each has shown their own version of weird behaviour, both have been calm dogs overall. But they were both raised by separate breeders.

I do believe you can easily spoil a good dog. But you can also turn around "bad" dog with the right training and incentives.

But if I had to pick, I would go with nature first and make sure I build upon it.
 
Justicemom said:
How you don't choose a pup is like I chose Ember. Based on color. I saw the handwriting on the wall that she was going to be difficult. Her co breeder said she was going to be difficult. But I took her anyway. I was use to difficult girls so I decided I would take on the challenge. There was another bi blue girl and she was too laid back for me. I don't do well with quiet and laid back types. So I got the feisty one.
Click to expand...

Color is the major reason that I got Cranberry. I'm not disappointed either. I know that he's not even a year yet but he's a good boy. just a little too much energy for Callie- he wants to play all the time and she says no way- wasn't as bad with 3 dogs :wink2:
 
Barb I did not realize your boys are Laurete shelties, I ohh and awww over her website all the time. I love her photography too.
 
Justicemom said:
How you don't choose a pup is like I chose Ember. Based on color. I saw the handwriting on the wall that she was going to be difficult. Her co breeder said she was going to be difficult. But I took her anyway. I was use to difficult girls so I decided I would take on the challenge. There was another bi blue girl and she was too laid back for me. I don't do well with quiet and laid back types. So I got the feisty one.

Justice had everything in my list of must haves for a pup and didn't know he was available at the time. When found out he was available I asked his breeder if what I was seeing was correct and she comfirmed it. Same with Diva. Justice and Diva are more similar than different. Cuddling isn't high on my list but wanting to be with and being responsive to people is. Like tofupup said the breeder or those who raise the litter know them best. Ask specifc questions to make the decision if you have a choice.
Click to expand...


I chose Megan basically by the cuteness factor and also she was going to be a little bigger than her sister! Color, markings didn't matter to me at all, just a cute little ball of fur was all I was interested in. :winkgrin: My "heart and soul" dog Tyler was chosen for me by my DH. I told him to go and make sure it was a clean, safe, happy environment, make sure momma and daddy dog were there, clean ears, etc! LOL
 
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