How do you pick from a litter?

[SarfE4sticated]

After much consideration we have decided on a whippet puppy. I have found a breeder and a litter of pups and have been sent a photo of them. We’re away at the mo so can’t visit them but will obviously arrange when to see them when we get back.
I read a book years ago that I remember saying that the first puppy from a litter that comes to meet you will be the dominant one and that if you you want a slightly more laid back dog, to go for a less forthcoming pup.
Does this sound right?

Imo they choose you.
One will deliberately catch your eye.

I've only ever been given dogs however my friend is a breeder and I've regularly say with her when she interviews buyers.
I've seen the timid, shy runt turn into a charming little lass because she took to the lady, a big bruising male hide in his bed from a couple yet when a lady and kid came he performed like a star.

A good breeder will have an idea of which pup wouldn't suit you after having had a long discussion what your lifestyle is like. Let your breeder guide you, they know what each pup is like from weeks of observations

When I chose my youngest it came down to 2.... they were just the same temperament etc so we went on the KC name which second name was that of my FIL 😂 he is a super super dog!

That should say would suit you not wouldn't

There is only one female and three males, we had wanted a female because I thought she would be more gentle, but I guess there are soppy males too?
Can’t wait to meet them!

When we chose ours, the breeder guided us cos she knew all their personalities. She said that if she was going to keep one she would choose "fat Betsy" as she was most like the mum. Fat Betsy became Olive and she was definitely a good pick. Otherwise we would have felt a bit clueless choosing out of 10 bouncy, identical looking pups!

Good luck!

My pal had one particularly soppy lad.
His nickname was Fatmus (tree chocolate thief) and he was such a snuggle monster, I was so close to taking him, I was in love.
Naughty shit when strangers came though, growling and refusing to play. A man had him in the end, he was the last to go. I'd looked at beds and everyt ing

That's a tricky situation if there's only one bitch....

Unless specifically in whippets females are more soppy I wouldn't say that's generally the case with dogs. Both male and females can be soppy. Depends on their temperament and how they are raised

I’ll keep an open mind about sex then and just see which one chooses us. 😁😍

I've had boys and girls. In my experience the females were highly strung and not overly affectionate and the males were my big soppy babies. Currently have a St. Bernard cross who would love to be a lap dog!

Keep an open mind, meet the pups and talk to the breeder. If none of them feel like they click then walk away and meet another litter!

Who are the training gurus of the day? I’m sure things have moved on a bit since I had my last dog 20yrs ago. I loved ‘the dogs mind’ by Bruce Fogel but something a little more up to date might be good!

I'm so jealous OP, I'd love another whippet!!!! Enjoy whichever one you choose, they are just the best dogs.

Tell me everything I need to know pigletthedog. The available pups are black, black brindle and blue brindle - do their coats change as they get older? I wanted a peachy coloured one ideally, but not overly fussed.

I'm definitely not the oracle op, sorry. I've only ever had one by accident, he was amazing.

He was handed in one January weekend at the police station I worked at. He was freezing and frightened in the outside kennels and as the dog warden didn't work weekends, we took him home 'just for the weekend' . Of course, he never left. He was black with a bit of white and when he got old he was grey all over.

He was an irrepressible food thief, he loved our bed, he didnt like to go out in the rain and he ran like the wind for about 5 minutes and then slept it off for hours. He was a typical whippet and I'm campaigning for another

He sounds adorable Piglet, it’s heartbreaking when they go isn’t it.

Thanks . Writing all that's made me sure there's a whippet sized space in our house!

Enjoy your new pup. The only thing I would say is make sure you get a proper sight hound collar because it's too easy for them to pull out of a normal one and as they're not well known for recall you might spend hours trying to convince yours to come back!

Our litter was 1 girl already taken and two boys.

I liked the one with the smallest head. Picked him up and he crawled up the inside of my jumper sleeve and snuggled into the nook of my elbow. He was 3 weeks old. Saw him several more times before we collected him at 12 weeks due to holiday commitment.

He is now 12yo and just the best dog.

Westies rule

Aww - little nuzzling puppies - melting! I’m on a long train journey so lots of time on-line ahead. Now trying to research how to introduce DPup to DCat

Last time around, we went for the one who seemed to trust us the most. She wasn't the colour or pattern we'd had planned, but she has fitted in perfectly and is a really excellent little dog.

My ds initially wanted a white/cream pup and the first to come to meet us was just that. He was very confident and as my ds had only recently got over a dog fear we looked at others. Two cream and brown and once he had obe of them on his lap he wasnt jetting him go! He's the cutest affectionate little thing and so glad hes come into our household.

I was the first one to look at the litter and there ware lots. When I sat on the floor one of them walked over and sat on my lap and fell asleep. I couldn’t get him off. Took him off and he came straight back. I got him.

There’s a reason that dogs and humans have coexisted for so long isn’t there.

Are you actually allowed to handle they’ve had their jabs?

Another vote for letting the breeder choose/guide you. They have spent almost 24 hours a day with them since they were born. They are best placed to see any emerging personalities.