Picking a puppy

[worldpremiere]

After months and months of research, I finally found a breeder I was happy with, met and loved the parents, waited for them to mate, put a deposit down, and now they are 6 weeks and it is time for me to choose my pup as he will be coming home in 2 weeks. I saw the puppies today, and the litter was only 4 puppies, all males. Of the three, I have first pick and I am buying a show prospect puppy, which narrows them down to three. All three have correct bite, structure, dark eyes coming in, etc. After meeting the three, there were two who were very energetic and rambunxious, one of which was definitely the most dominant and agressive puppy. The biggest of the three was also the most hesitant and this is the one the breeder recommended for me. I would just like some thoughts......Keep in mind this will be my first rottweiler

Basically

Puppy 1- Biggest puppy, recommended as right fit for me by the breeder,
but also the most hesitant and shy

Puppy 2- Medium sized pup, definitely the most dominant and fearless at this
age. Breeder thought he would be the most difficult to raise of the
three

Puppy 3- Smallest pup, more energetic and outgoing than puppy 1 but less
so than puppy 2.

I actually really liked puppy 2, but she thought he might be a bit much for a first time rottie owner. Should i disregard her advice and go with the most timid. SOrry about the long post but I really have done all my homework so far and I dont wanna mess up now. Thanks for any help

[Maryn306]

If you are happy with and trust the breeder you chose, go with her decision. This is your first Rott, she knows this..and knows Rotts. I'd say her opinion would be best :)

[fbkeays]

A timid puppy can have as many issues to deal with as a dominate puppy. I would go with puppy #3. As a first time rottweiler own, unless you yourself are assertive and dog savy I would stay away from dog #2. Unless you have experience in dealing with the special handling a timid puppy rquires, I would stay away from that one too.
There is a big difference between timid and submissive. If the #1 puppy really is submissive vs timid then that is something else.

[Maryn306]

Originally Posted by fbkeays

A timid puppy can have as many issues to deal with as a dominate puppy.

I totally agree with this. I was thinking more along the lines of a submissive and more 'reserved' puppy..not really timid and fearful.

[Judi W]

The reason we do a PAT test on puppies is that their behavior within the litter and with a familiar person is not necessarily who they are going to be on their own.

Less rambunctious is not necessarily timid, however if actually timid certainly not best choice for a show dog. (are you sure you are going to show?) As a beginner, you generally want the middle of the road pup. If the breeder is wise and experienced and shows herself, then she should be making the decision and it would not be up to you. Is she keeping one of the puppies herself?

[Cash]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Is she keeping one of the puppies herself?

Yup that is what I am wondering too. Or is that she eliminated the 4th pup as an option for you because THAT is the one she is keeping.
Do tell.........

[alexav]

It concerns me that size is even mentioned here... Maybe it's just me, but a breeder who lists size as an attribute is usually a red flag and a buyer who is concerned with size is letting his ignorance show....

If it was simply a way to identify the pups because they weren't "color coded" please forgive me.

I agree that the pups should have a PAT, and be evaluated for conformation. (And NOT by the breeders) 49 days of age seems to be the best time for this. (7 weeks)

A breeder wanting buyers to make decisions before 7 weeks is not ideal IMO.

"Dark eyes Coming in"? Does this mean they are not dark now?

[Diva'sOwner]

Maybe size was mentioned to suggest who the more aggressive eater is. My pup was way bigger than her brother (she's a food hound) and she's also more assertive than him. I was surprised that the chubbier one was more timid. I say stay away from the one that looks like more of a challenge to. But also try to get to the breeder and do a PAT on them before selecting. I think the Monks of Skete's book has one of these tests in the back of it. I used it to test my puppy and her personality is perfect for me. But this is my second Rottie and I know not to indulge her because she is certainly strong-headed.

[BostonRott]

Size does not belie eating habits, it's a function of genetics. I've had several smaller pups who are the most voracious eaters.

A few thoughts on this:

a) A first time Rottweiler owner should NOT be picking their own puppy. Especially if you plan to show it. You know nothing of looking at puppy structure and how it relates to adult structure and if you want to do well at the shows, you need structure. The breeder should not even be giving you the option......it should be "This dog fits you, take it or have none."

b) As has already been mentioned, size is not the issue. Structure is. The biggest pup means nothing to me. How is his front? Lay of shoulder? Set on of neck? Rear angulation? Topline? EW feet? Tight, well knuckled feet? Muzzle length? STop? Ear set/carriage? Size ain't telling me squat.......tell me about the structure.

c) Timid pups are NOT going to do well in the show ring, nor in most of life. They require a LOT of work, a lot of constant watching and hopefully they won't be fear biters. I personally, AS A BREEDER, would put down a truly timid puppy and never send it to a home. There is no quality of life in being afraid of everything all the time.

d) You're basically left with one puppy to choose from. Not much of a choice. Were it me, I'd walk away from this litter and find something else.

[worldpremiere]

Maybe I didnt explain this well enough. Sorry for any confusion. The puppy I regarded as being timid, is only more shy than his littermates. Compared to the many other litters I checked out before deciding on this one, he is outgoing and inquisitive, and definitely not scared. Its just that his littermates are the most fearless puppies Ive seen. Were extremely eager to check out and be involved in everything. I took each puppy aside by itself to see how it reacted and they were completely unaffected by being alone with a stranger in unfamiliar surroundings, etc.

As far as the structure goes, they are all surprisingly uniform. Again, I do not know much about the correct puppy structure but the breeder assured me, and I also brought along another breeder I met at a show and befriended, who agreed they all have the correct topline, short, correct stop, extremely tight feet, correct ear set, etc. The sire and dam have had two previous litters, of which I saw 4 of the pups who are all now champions and have the temperament I am definitely looking for. I am very confident I am going with the correct litter and I trust the breeder and the opinions of my friend.

[alexav]

Originally Posted by worldpremiere

I am very confident I am going with the correct litter and I trust the breeder and the opinions of my friend.

Then, good luck and I'll make sure not to take the time to answer you in the future since you've already got it all figured out and basically just wanted validation to do what you wanted to in the first place.

[worldpremiere]

Originally Posted by alexav

Then, good luck and I'll make sure not to take the time to answer you in the future since you've already got it all figured out and basically just wanted validation to do what you wanted to in the first place.

Dont be so sensitive....This is just a forum, its not meant to hurt peoples feelings. I do appreciate everyones comments and I was only replying to BostonRott that I am indeed confident with the litter I have selected. However, I wanted some opinions on what puppy everyone thought would be best out of that litter.

[alexav]

Originally Posted by worldpremiere

Dont be so sensitive....This is just a forum, its not meant to hurt peoples feelings. I do appreciate everyones comments and I was only replying to BostonRott that I am indeed confident with the litter I have selected. However, I wanted some opinions on what puppy everyone thought would be best out of that litter.

Not sensitive and no hurt feelings here...
and I am sincere in my wishes for you to have good luck with your new pup. I just consider my time to be pretty valuable as is the time of the others who responded. We are all here to offer help.
Some new posters want help, some don't...fact of life. Nothing new here, Darlin'.

[SABELLESMOM]

Originally Posted by worldpremiere

...but she thought he might be a bit much for a first time rottie owner. Should i disregard her advice and go with the most timid. SOrry about the long post but I really have done all my homework so far and I dont wanna mess up now. Thanks for any help

There's your own answer. "She (Breeder that you like...AND picked) thought #2 would be a bit much for a first time Rottie owner." Not having seen the pups, myself, I'd have to go with that.

Is this also your first time in the show ring? Then, #1 will be easier for you to train and show properly. Your breeder sounds "ON" about this. And as you said, you don't want to mess up now. If you trust your choice of breeder, then trust her.

My first show girl was a bit softer than my second. I learned with my first. When the second came, I was better prepared. I wouldn't have wanted it the other way.