Puppy Picks - I tend to ramble

[TrinityRun]

This is a spin off of the other thread as it took on a direction that should be addressed.

I think everyone wants the same thing - the best dog for them. As I've stated before, what may be my first pick, may not be the next guy's. But let's face it, the breeders out there who are breeding for themselves are few and far between. I've been on both sides of the fence. I've picked puppies from other litters and I've always had my pick. But I also come from a breeder's standpoint where there is much more to consider.

As the breeder, I get first dibs on any puppy I want. (First pick, maybe second too if I choose) There's just no disputing this. I would not entertain a person who wanted to debate that with me either as I feel arguing with me over breeding for myself is calling into question by reasons for breeding to begin with. (And if I wasn't doing a good job to begin with, the buyer wouldn't be looking at the litter to begin with, right?) There are too many breeders cranking out puppies JUST to fill the demand who are more than happy to allow just about anyone first, second pick. But I'm not one of those, and I would find it highly offensive to be thought of as the same. I breed for me first and no one else.

What does that mean? That means I have a direction I want to go in. I want to keep back that which I feel is going to help me get there. I want to be influential in the direction of the other puppies. I want to find homes that mirror my own in that direction, while understanding it will never be exactly alike. Finding good homes like that (for me) is very time consuming as I want them to be as gung-ho and excited about the future as I am.

From the above average buyer's standpoint, they don't want to be lumped with the novices. Their goals are also serious, especially if they have an interest in breeding down the road. Now they need a puppy who can "do it all." (Work, show AND breed)

If you've established yourself as a person who is dedicated to helping the puppy maximize it's potential, then a breeder will always look seriously at you, and work to help you in your goals. That in turn factors into which puppy is placed with the buyer.

On a side note, as for "testing" the puppies. I remain leery of anyone I don't know wishing to bring in other people to do their own brand of "temperament testing" on my puppies. They are not guinea pigs who can be freely subjected to experiments. I have no problem with the controlled, neutral puppy testing where I know exactly what is going to happen... but that's because it's something I initiated and wanted. I'd be willing to discuss my feelings with a buyer and may well allow someone to come in. It would depend on the situation, what their goals were, etc.

I know what I need to before they are placed in their homes and I can tell, better than anyone, what is what and who is who. Day in and day out, their personalities push and recede, depending on the situation, depending upon the day, how tired they are, etc. To know that, you would have to be with them 24/7. This is where puppy testing only goes so far. A puppy who tests weak on one day, may test strong the next day.

Bottom-line: Confidence, knowledge and, clear communication is what makes for a successful relationship between breeder, buyer and pup.

[excellrott]

Wow...well put from someone on both sides of the issue. I read with interest the debate on that other thread. I would choose someone like you to heip me pick my puppy.;)

[Sharon Marples]

Well said (as usual) Lauren, my sentiments exactly.

We never breed without the consideration that the pick (or what we feel is the pick) will be staying with us.

Thanks for the input, this should be educational for many.

[fbkeays]

I like to pick my own dogs. I am perfectlly happy to have the breeder tell me that this one and that one wouldn't be suitable, but from the ones left, I want to choose. Fizbin wasn't the one Maureen thought I should have. She thought his brother had a better head. Fizbin also had a touch of white on his chest. There was three of us there. Maureen, a woman taking a bitch and myself. We sat on the kitchen floor for hours and let the three male puppies interact with us. The third male was a pet, not as well put together as the other too.
Maureen told me who she thought was the better male. I tried really hard to like him, but I kept on looking at Fizbin. He is the one that stole my heart. I think he was the one that picked me instead of the other way around.
I keep Maureen informed of what Fizbin is doing. A few times I have told her that Fizbin was going to drive me to drink or an early grave. She says her only defense is that *I* was the one that picked him:D :D :D :D

[frontierrots]

As one who only breeds for myself (and not for the demands of others) I have to wholeheartedly agree.

I keep, what I consider, the best puppy from each litter to continue my goals and line.

If I don't keep anything from the litter then I would consider the breeding a genetic failure and would not sell any of the pups to show/breeding homes no matter what the buyers wanted.

No one ever gets first pick here but me :)

[LavenderRott]

I want to do obedience and search and rescue with my next rottweiler. I would like a puppy but I haven't had one in years. I have also never had a pup that I have had goals for. I would be more then happy to let my breeder pick my pup for me. I would like to think that I will have done my home work well enough that my breeder would know what dog is best for me as far as temperment and drive.

[Luvs]

Great post Lauren!:) I would much rather buy from a breeder who is breeding for themselves and not for the demands of others.

Our very good friends owned Akasha and Keil's sire. They got first pick and told us that we could have their pick. When looking at the puppies I only looked at the females. The breeder and I discussed at length which puppy would best fit our household. I had my choice between three females. Akasha is the one I kept going back to over and over again.

When Akasha was three months old we borrowed one of her brothers. We fell in love with him and decided we wanted him also. At this time the remaining puppies were at our friends house who owned their sire. Several days after talking to them they brought us our new puppy. It was not the puppy we had wanted. We had wanted the one that we brought home for those few days. They thought that Keil would be a much better fit and boy were they RIGHT! I am sooooo thankful that they gave us Keil and not his brother. Looking at both boys now there is a HUGE difference in both temperment and looks. If we had gotten his brother my daughter and I would not even consider doing any therapy work with him. He is not as self assured and laid back as Keil. Keil is very stable and nothing bothers him. His brother is a whole different story. I do think that part of it is a lack of training and socialization, but it is also his temperment. We are so lucky that things turned out the way they did. I wouldn't trade either Keil or Akasha for anything!

I would NOT hesitate to let a breeder I trusted and respected pick out my next puppy. ;)

[Judy Chrusch]

First of all, I think any breeder who takes the time to pick a pup out for someone is in my eyes doing a fantastic job:) . WE may think we know what we want by physical appearance, only when in fact that pup with the large head, and great bone sustance may not be the one for us at all. It may not be a good match for us as the buyer. O.K. lets say 2 people show interest in the same pup but one of you has had more experience in training, sch. and more experience in general with the breed and can meet that pups needs better then the other, isn't that reason enough to let the person who better fits the criteria then one with less? I know what I'm trying to say, it just isn't coming out right. We all want a certain pup for whatever reason but the relationship between the breeder and client in so much more important then we all realize. You develope a real connection and it's a lifelong commitment for all or for as long as you have the dog and even after that in some cases.

Czar, as many of you know, was a singleton and I was in line for a male, does that mean I would get one, maybe not, but as it turned out the people before me were not chosen to have him for whatever reasons, therefore bc we best fit the criteria and knew we could handle his tough personality we were given the pleasure of having him, thanks to Michele, our breeder. In this case, had he gone to another owner who did not have as much experience with this type of personality I quarantee you he would have been returned to the breeder, so my point in all this is, what better person to pick the right pup for you but the breeder who is with those pups from day 1 and gets to know all their little personalitites and so on, that to me is just another asset to a caring and devoted breeder who wants to do that for us. You can have a relationship where you both get what you want but it has to be for the right reasons.

A beautiful pup that has more potential to be in conformation rather then strictly sch. should then go to the person who will title that dog in his strongpoints. Why should someone have the best pup if they don't let it be it's best, no matter what that may be.

So for all who are contemplating getting a pup in the near future, find the special breeder who will give you the time that's needed to discuss all aspects of chosing a pup that is suited just for you bc believe me, a breeder doesn't enjoy getting puppies back bc the client can't deal with the pup or it wasen't the right one in the first place. That's one of the reasons they work so hard to match you with the right pup. So it isn't a bad thing, look at it as the best thing for all of you and be glad the breeder you've chosen thinks that much about their litter that they just simply don't just hand a pup to you bc it looks good.

To all you dedicated breeders, I commend you for the fine job you do, keep up the good work and continue to chose the right pup for the right person:D . I sincerely hope this makes sense.

Judy

[excellrott]

beautiful Judy C :D, you make complete sense

[TrishB]

I've stated this story before, but I'm gonna state it again because it applies! ;) :D

I found a breeder. They're still very good personal friends of mine. I met the stud dog, his owners and the breeder of the stud dog! All of us together became fantastic friends.

I waited for 2 years. Sadly, the bitch wasn't cycling properly and they didn't feel that it was fair to make me wait. So I was on the look out again....

I had heard about a litter that had lines similar to that of the previous stud dog. It turned out that the breeder of the previous stud dog was best friends with another breeder, who was also very close friends with the breeder of the available litter (confused yet? :D).

So the emails began to FLY!

The stud breeder evaluated the breeding and said it was wonderful. She told her friend all about me (she had known me for 2 years at that point). That woman had evaluated the litter herself, so she knew the pup to a tee. Her friend (a breeder / handler) then told the litter breeder about me and how I came so highly recommended.

I was put into contact with the breeder of the litter and told her what I was looking for (which she already knew, from her correspondence with the other two breeders). Male, show / obedience prospect. She had one that fit the bill. She had actually considered keeping him but his sire was still very much the man of the house and wouldn't have taken kindly to a young male in his domain.

I spoke to all 3 breeders extensively. All 3 agreed that 'white boy' sounded like the perfect match for me. I agreed with them.

So although I had intended to get a Canadian bred dog - I got an American bred dog. He was the best candidate available at that time, he came highly recommended and the opportunity was right.

I guess you can say 3 breeders chose my dog for me! LOL And it's true!

I picked up Parker after a 6-hour drive to Pennsylvania. He was perfect. Laid back, interested and very deliberate in what he chose to do. I liked his confidence. It was like he was tailor made for me.

I would not change a single thing. He was a perfect puppy - I was ready for chewing, barking, whining, piddles on the floor, tough challenges....

He's been perfect. And I owe it all to 3 very dedicated breeders and trusting their extensive knowledge and experience to chose him for me. :D

[fbkeays]

Just to have the flip side:D The only time I had a breeder tell me which puppy was mine, he turned out to be a complete disaster. Granted, I could have walked away, but I wasn't experienced enough at the time (puppy breath turned my brain into jello). I relied on the breeder. I returned the dog to the breeder at 9 months of age.