Picking a puppy from a litter

[goldenmoments]

Hi, I'm just looking for a little reassurance. Myself and my husband picked a puppy the other day which was very exciting. We were always getting a dog this year and we had discussed the breed and the sex of the dog and I was hoping for a golden colour dog. Coming home my husband said he thinks the pup will be more a red colour as it grows. We basically had the pick of the litter so I'm wondering would I be really cruel to go back and have another look as there were various shades of golden pups in the litter? We have paid a small deposit. Im not sure whether it's just nerves that we are dog owners second guessing myself a little. Thank you

I would not want a breeder to choose a puppy for us. IME it is important to feel an emotional connection to the puppy. That is actually the most crucial element for me.

With my current puppy, I initially wanted one that would not remind me of my previous much loved dog. So I wanted a pup that was a different colour, female rather than male, even a completely different breed. As things turned out, we now have a male pup that is the same colour as our last dog and a similar breed. But I think it was meant to be.

Whichever puppy you end up with, I hope that you also feel it was meant to be, @goldenmoments. It's the best feeling ever.

Our golden retriever was really light and cream coloured as a tiny pup but had slightly darker ears breeder told us he might go much more golden. He is lighter than our last boy but absolutely stunning even if he’s a bit of a pain sometimes. The litter are all different shades of cream to golden shades and all lovely dogs. We wanted a boy but he was the last one left from that litter so we could’ve waited but were happy to choose him and I’m glad we did. Enjoy your pup,

You should buy a puppy on temperament and conformation, but if it makes anyone feel any better I bought one of my terriers on the basis of her feisty temperament, and she is a very much loved member of the family but thick as a plank, quite dull, and has a complete loyalty bypass.
Another of my terriers was grey with a black stripe down her back for the first year or so of her life, now she is very dark chocolate brown.
So you never know. They’re all different and all lovely in their own way.

So you never know. They’re all different and all lovely in their own way.

A friend had working dogs, she waited a long time for her 3rd, found a litter from great working lines, had her pick of the litter but he turned out to be a total wuss. A lovely dog, but not the one she envisioned.

We picked from 4, black labs and only 4 weeks so not much to go on. We picked the one that chose us, but said to the breeder we'd be happy with any if she thought another would be more suited (and if she'd have swapped collars round we'd have been none the wiser!)

I don't think any of the pups in the litter would have been a bad choice as mum and dad are great dogs.

My male akita was dark sable and black at 8 weeks, he's now light sandy and the black is just on the tips of his fur. My female was solid black, she's now sable with a black overcoat and a black face. You can't really judge what they'll look like as adults when they're so small, so best to go with the one that chooses you or has the temperament you want. The parents were both incredible so I knew I was getting brilliant pups either way.

I didn't even like the look of our dogs breed but the breed suited our family perfectly . I still think she is a funny looking thing.. but she is my funny looking thing and I love her so much. I have bonded more than I ever bonded with my last dog who was my 'perfect' breed !