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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Have to choose between two puppies...

34 replies

mckenzie · 30/11/2014 16:26

They are Tibetan terriers. Both very similar colouring, both boys, both gorgeous and playful, one slightly more timid than the other.
Which one to choose?

OP posts:

Skinheadmermaid · 30/11/2014 16:32

The less timid one imo. They will grow into a more laid back dog.
I had the same choice when my dog was a puppy. Absolutely nothing phases him, he even enjoys watching fireworks.

JustMe1990 · 30/11/2014 16:34

Whichever you like best.
The temperament could well change when separated from its litter mate, it's not unheard of for 'timid' pups to grow into mega confident adults when the super bossy siblings are taken away and sometimes the bossiest pup can end up the quietest.
Unless the pup is abnormally nervous then pick the one you feel more attracted to.

Original poster

mckenzie · 30/11/2014 16:46

Oh dear. We loved them both. DD was drawn to the more timid one initially but I persuaded her the other one was a better choice as I was concerned the timid one wasn't using his back legs properly. (The breeder has since explained that like children, dogs progress at different rates and he is still a puppy finding his feet. She thinks his back legs are perfectly normal)

OP posts:

Original poster

mckenzie · 30/11/2014 16:47

These are the two.

OP posts:

Nicename · 30/11/2014 16:48

Both both both. You know you really want them both...

LoathsomeDrab · 30/11/2014 16:51

I'd ask the breeder for their recommendation and go with that, they'll know the pups best and be better placed to advise which one would be a better fit for you.

mrslaughan · 30/11/2014 16:52

do not do two puppies at the same time!!!! google littermate syndrome (think that is what it is called.

I would say the more timid, as long as it is not scared......

Bowlersarm · 30/11/2014 16:53

I'd go for the timider one without doubt.

JustMe1990 · 30/11/2014 16:54

Btw, at ten weeks old, they should know how to run and jump properly!

I don't think I would trust a breeder with a pup of that age who isn't using his back legs properly.
Maybe more experienced people will come forward but that would ring major alarm bells for me.

Any breeder should be honest about any faults or medical problems, offering a sizeable discount for a physical problem imo.

Bowlersarm · 30/11/2014 16:55

Yes definitely not both. If you want two dogs, get one now, and one later on when you have an established relationship with your first dog.

Original poster

mckenzie · 30/11/2014 18:02

thanks for the replies.
We joked about getting both but breeder said she wouldn't let us anyway.
She's a Kennel Club accredited breeder, chair of the TT breeders and owners club and my gut feeling is i trust her. But, I am nervous about the back legs so I think it will have to be the cheekier more confident chappy at the back of the picture.

OP posts:

JustMe1990 · 30/11/2014 18:17

Have you googled the known diseases in the breed?
My concern, is that the issue with the bad legs could be hereditary and could affect your pup at a later date.
Are they any other clubs she is not affiliated to that you could ask for advice?
Or a vet?

JustMe1990 · 30/11/2014 18:25

What are the parents hip scores and patella luxation grades?
I wouldn't rush this.
Hip dysplasia and patella luxation are VERY expensive to manage.

LoathsomeDrab · 30/11/2014 18:28

You can look up health test results for individual dogs here on the KC site. At the very least the parents should both have had their hips scored and their eyes tested.

There's a list of all available health tests for TTs here.

Original poster

mckenzie · 30/11/2014 18:33

I saw all the test results in the folder that she showed me. The breed, if I remember correctly, averages 13 for hip scores and mum was 10 and dad 3. Or it might have been the other way round :)
I can contact her and ask for her to remind me of the results though, no problem.

OP posts:

JustMe1990 · 30/11/2014 18:44

0 is lowest so 3 is excellent, I think 10 is classed as normal.
Hip dysplasia is partly environmental though so you need to be careful not to over exercise, allow bounding on and off furniture etc.

Were they graded for patella luxation?
The breed club doesn't list it as a recommended screen but the disease is known to exist In the breed.

Booboostoo · 30/11/2014 20:46

Please don't hate me for this but I have to tell you before you go for a TT. Are you familiar with the breed? They can be quite challenging. They tend to suffer from separation anxiety, they can be extremely destructive and over sensitive dogs. Have a look on the FB TT page, they all love their dogs but check you share their tolerance and sense of humour - trashed sofas, chewed doors, etc.

I know it may seem really mean not to be enthusiastic about your potential puppy but getting a TT was the worst mistake I ever made and I have to say something now that you still have a choice.

Buttholelane · 30/11/2014 20:54

Wow

How old is your dog? What is it fed on? What does it do that makes it the worst mistake?

Maybe other posters could help you?

whatsinaname01 · 30/11/2014 20:54

Hi mckenzie
I have two TT's and if I had a choice of puppies I would always say to go for the most chilled out,the one that doesn't spook if you make a sudden noise etc. not the most confident at the front.
Take your time with them and observe them closely.
TT's are very mouthy puppies and will chew on everything they can carry( as a rule) so slippers, remote controls, fingers .
They need lots of socializing as can be wary of strangers but are very loving with family ( they will always have one favorite).

They are quite willful and very much have a " what's in it for me attitude" when you ask them to do something. Saying that they are bright and easy to train( with food )
We all adore our two

Booboostoo · 30/11/2014 21:11

buttholelane thanks for the offer of help but the dog seems to be happier in a different home so is now living with my groom and will go with her when she moves back to her home country. I don't want to hijack the thread but her main problems are food resource guarding, aggression with other dogs and cats, hyperactivity and nervousness. She seems to be worse around DD and me but better in a household without children.

Buttholelane · 30/11/2014 21:14

I see, it's good that she has a new home where she's happier :)

TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge · 30/11/2014 22:11

How old are the pups?

Original poster

mckenzie · 30/11/2014 22:26

Thanks for the posts guys.
I do have experience of one TT who is gorgeous, friendly, chilled and adorable. Yes he rolls in foxes poo but nobody's perfect.
The puppies are just coming up to 10 weeks old TripTrap.
We are going to follow the Kennel Club socialisation plan. He'll meet my friends TT asap and my sister's dog and a neighbour's new puppy. Lots of my friends have dogs and I'm a very sociable person and we'll start puppy classes in January too.
I do appreciate your posts, even the negative ones. Honestly.

OP posts:

TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge · 30/11/2014 22:34

Is there any reason why the breeder still has them at this age? I would be a bit wary over the leg thing,especially given their age and tbh because despite the breeder being KC registered and chair of TT owners and breeders club it's not normal for a good breeder to still have pups at this age and with you still having time to 'choose' I'm guessing the other one may not have a home lined up yet?

Was there a waiting list?

With all of the above I wouldn't be taking the breeders word for it that there is nothing wrong and that it is perfectly normal for a pup to be walking like this and needing to catch up

Redpriestandmozart · 01/12/2014 14:09

Quite often breeders will have pups at this age who they are running on, that is keeping one but deciding which one out of a couple, seeing who will make the better show dog. Usually both dogs are very similar, same sex, colour etc but one may just have that sparkle or presence and waiting for a few weeks over the age they normally leave will allow the breeder to make a better decision. If this breeder isn't doing this then I too would be concerned she has two pups at this age still looking for homes, good breeders will have waiting lists much bigger than the size of the litter. The leg this would worry me, injury maybe?

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