We're choosing our new puppy tomorrow - any tips on what to look out for, please? It's a Border Terrier

[Fauve]

And we're going for a boy one. I know to look for healthy coat and clean ears; and not to go for a shy, miserable one out of pity. Any other tips? We're going en famille, with our 10 year old and 14 year old.

[Fauve]

One book says to avoid the 'bullying' one. Hmm, wonder what that means. I have a general policy of avoiding bullies, so wouldn't want to invite one to join the family, even if canine.

[differentID]

they can be nippy sods, so watch out for any that use aggression on their siblings. My sister has 2 of the little darlings, so watch out for laundry basket raids and they can be quite territorial over prizes.

[hollybrolly]

hey

I got a border terrier and had to rehome her was so sad but she was agressive, really hyper, dragged everything about.She dragged my sisters 2 year old across the floor by her jumper. But she went to a lovely family who had an older son at 13. Who keep in touch and she is doing great with the older kid!
I'm not too sure what to look for, her brothers were crazier than she was lol.

[me23]

watch how the mother is with them, what is her behaviour like? don't go for a nervous one or an over excitable one.

[hatwoman]

hi Fauve - if it's not too late - another thing some books say is to go for th middle of the road one. can be hard as some of us are naturally drawn either to the one that comes bounding up to you knocking all his/her siblings flying in the process, or are drawn to the lonely looking one that sits back and looks sad - they say that the reality is you don't want either of those (which is much what others here have said) . I thought you were having a springer (from that other thread) which I thought was a very brave thing to do if you're new to dogs. springers are bonkers imvho. lovely. but bonkers.

[shirleyghostman]

When we went to pick our pup up 2 years ago, we had already decided to choose the one who came up to us first.

When we got there- we asked for all of the bitches to be removed and to just leave the dogs - the pups were coming over to us from all directions. Anyway our youngest son was with us at the time and the boldest pup kept on licking my sons hands and face and pushing the rest of his littermates out of the way - we had found our new playmate.

Roll on two years and the pup has grown into an 11 stone 'soft pudding' who adores my son, plays with him, sleeps with him and even jumps on the trampoline with him.

Good luck!

[Fauve]

Thanks, everyone - we did choose one which was fairly assertive, but you could argue that the others were reticent. We debated very long and hard about that 'middle of the road one' advice, Hatwoman, but went for our one - the boldest - anyway. We'll see if it rebounds on us! Glad yours worked out well, shirleyghostman.

The mum is very very laidback and friendly, so we are not really worried about aggression TBH. Your experience sounds awful, Hollybrolley! Ours will be trained to within an inch of his life, anyway, because I was brought up in the country with working dogs and I don't really tolerate nonsense from them

If you see desperate 'help' posts from me on here, you'll know we were wrong...

[tink123]

we picked the quietest springer pup from litter
but 'quiet' is def not how i would describe him now

[georgiespot]

go on to the kennel club website pop in the breed and they will give you pointers on what to look for.
good luck
xx