The Right Puppy To Bring Home!

When your family has decided on a breed and a breeder, it is time to meet the parents of the litter you are interested in and try to learn if the parents
are of the right temperament you are looking for and have the physical characteristics you want. It is often best if there are several litters available for you to compare. Remember, the puppy you choose will be a member of your family for many years so taking some time to evaluate is time well spent!

Most breeders will require a deposit in order to hold a particular puppy. Six to seven weeks is about average before you should be able to bring your puppy
home. It is best to get to see the litter as soon as the breeder will allow to get to know the individual puppies. You should try to make your pick as quickly
as you can so the breeder will hold that particular puppy for you. Many breeders have waiting lists for their puppies if they are reputable.

A good breeder will spend a lot of time with you going over the temperaments and physical characteristics of the individual puppies. A good breeder will be
able to tell you if there are any physical short comings of the puppies and if those are considerations for long term health. Most good breeders will not
knowingly sell a puppy with major health defects.

The breeder should help pick a puppy for you by learning about your family members, activity levels, available time at home, type of home and exercise area and many other intangible factors as he gets to know you and your family. Breeders should be very concerned about proper placement of the puppies and in many cases if the placement does not work out will either take the dog back or be very involved in finding a new home.

As cute as all puppies are you will need to get your selected pup away from the rest of the litter and make sure it is active and squirmy when you pick him
up the first time. He should have straight legs and a strong build. Check to make sure he does not have an overbite in his jaw and clear eyes. Also check teeth and gums to make sure the teeth are straight and the gums look health. Make sure when your puppy is away from the litter he is active and curious about
his surroundings.

If the puppy you are looking at does not seem interested in his surroundings and is not curious about things that move around him and does not react to the sound of your voice pick a different puppy! If you take your time and evaluate each puppy in the litter you will usually be able to pick a companion for your family that will be with you for years and show you the love only a well cared for family member can show.