Picking puppy from litter

[Chicci1]

We’re getting our long awaited puppy this week. She’s coming from a litter of three girls and two boys. She’ll be 8 weeks and we’re the first family to collect so will have our pick of the litter. Any tips on how a pick a dog from a litter would be appreciated. Do temperaments show at 8 weeks? If so do we want the most friendly one or the most placid one? Help!

[Girlintheframe]

We had three to choose from.
One was very confident and playful.
One was quite shy and wouldn't come near us.
The third was happy to let us pick him up/pet him but not quite as bouncy as the 1st.
We went with the third one. He has grown into an amazing dog. He is devoted to us. Confident, playful but also happy to chill out.
You probably already know this but make sure their eyes and ears are clear.

[lancashirelady]

I have always let the pup choose us. There always seems to be one who will spend more time near you and interacting with you.

[pupstersdream]

We chose on facetime so I guess it was a bit of a gamble although we could see characters a bit and as we are an active family we went for the more active of the pups. When we made our first visit another one of the pups seemed to really take to ds (and apparently was generally not that interested in people) so we worried we'd made the wrong choice. But our pup fits our family perfectly. I'm sure most pups will be the 'right' choice

[Pigletpoglet]

Ask the breeder about the temperament of the puppies - they should have a clear idea about which puppy is more confident, more pushy, more reserved etc. If they are a good breeder they will have done temperament testing, and will advise you on which puppy is the best fit for your family. This should be part of an ongoing conversation about your family, your lifestyle, what you would like to do with the dog (agility? obedience? lapdog?) etc. A good breeder will have a clear idea of the kind of home you will provide, and will advise on which puppy is the best fit for you.

[WaltzingBetty]

Don't choose a shy nervous one - you want a calm confident one

[Itsrainingnotmen]

Our first dpuppy we went for the bolshy one! And has stayed that way!!.
Second one we got the runt - family member's ddog and we didn't want it left behind!!. Third one wasn't much choice left and picked the prettiest one!! 4th one was quite shy and reserved but not nervous. Picked her as she needed to not be bossy with 3ddogs already!!.

[moosemama]

I would be guided by the breeder. They have spent the past 8 weeks with them and will have a good idea of temperament/confidence etc.

I’ve only had one non-rescue dog myself and in our case the breeder did a lot of puppy assessments and thoroughly interviewed and met us more than once, then matched pups to their most suitable homes. She definitely picked the right pup for us.

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

Our current pup was picked out by the breeder, who knows me fairly well and knows how I handle a dog (I've done 1:1 training with her). She also knows one of my older dogs, and she knew what I wanted of the pup: brains, good work ethic and possibly good enough for breeding. She decided that I wasn't getting bolshy because she considers me a bit of a soft touch (she didn't say this, obvs...)

Once previously we wanted a dog pup and there was only one left. This wasn't so succesful - he is a lovely dog with the family and we love him, but he has his issues, and I still remember the little bitch pup at the back of the run.... Twice we've had the pick of a litter and have selected the puppy (both times a bitch) who came to us and seemed the most relaxed and happy with us. This has worked really well both times.

I look for good health, confidence but not over-confidence, and activity level. Talk to the breeder and think about what you want in a dog.

[Floralnomad]

Why has it been left until collecting time surely some people will have specifically wanted a boy / girl etc , I thought these types of decisions were made much earlier .

[Inanutshelldaze]

I would love to get the pick of the litter but our breeder has been very firm that we are last on her list for a pup & has people waiting much much longer (true as a cousin of mine is waiting 6 months), they have preferences, we have none & we are guaranteed a puppy but we will be the last allowed to pick. Breeder is my neighbour but she is very firm. Would love a choice but so we're delighted to get our puppy finally that it really doesn't matter x

[Itsrainingnotmen]

It's a shame Covid has prevented pre meet ups. I visited our dpuppy a few times. Gave the breeder her name - she knew it when we picked her up as they had used it! Admittedly it made keeping her a secret from dh harder as I was busting to tell him after every visit!

[Inanutshelldaze]

Ah that's lovely. Our breeder has told our dc they can pop into visit the pups at any time to visit but we can't choose which one we would like as we're last on list & others before us have preference. DH said it might be best for dc not to visit in case they get very attached to a particular one. At least we know that when we are handed ours they will absolutely adore it!
I liked that you gave her the name, great idea.

[Ellmau]

Conventional wisdom is to pick the second most confident friendly one.

The one that comes up first is likely to be too dominant/bouncy and hard to control.

Under no circs pick the scared shy one cowering in the corner.

[321mamma]

That's very good to know!

[Motorina]

Two out of three times I've had the last one left, and both times they've been perfect. Honestly, I think if you pick a reputable breeder of a breed that matches what you're wanting in a dog, then you've done 90% of the work.

[Changeagain1]

They pick you. We went to choose one of the three left 2 girls and a boy. Id always wanted a boy so assumed it would be easy but we arrived and one of the girls immediately came and sat with us and played for a bit and fell asleep.
She is amazing dog - she chose us ;)

[Ken1976]

We asked about a puppy a few days before they were born in May . We were number 7 on the list . The mother dog only had four puppies so we didn't expect to be offered one but thank fully , for whatever reason we were offered the last puppy . No choice but we accepted her . Due to covid and being 100 miles away we weren't able to visit but owners sent us regular photos and videos . We've had her 9 weeks now and she is fabulous . She is confident and is very social . She gets on great with our other dog and with people . The dog groomer said she's never bathed such a well behave puppy