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How to pick the perfect puppy
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Face it - all puppies are ridiculously cute, even the ugly ones, so it can be hard to be objective when you're staring into their big, innocent eyes, and being kissed with that adorable puppy breath! But you need to be able to select the best puppy for you because he/she will be with you for the next decade or more!
Here are some tips for choosing a good puppy.
Gender
Before you pick out your source for the dog, read up on the kind of dog you're getting. If it's a purebred dog, find out which sex you would prefer. In some breeds, the personality traits can be quite distinct between the genders, whereas in others, it matters little. In general, though, female dogs tend to be smaller at maturity, more territorial (and therefore make better guard dogs or sentinels), housebreak a little earlier, and calm down at an earlier age. Male dogs tend to be a bit more affectionate, more unruly as pups, and are almost always larger at maturity than their female counterparts. Also, males are less expensive to neuter.
Age
Ideally, a pup should not leave it's mother before 8 weeks of age. They need that time to learn the basics of canine social structure, to wean, and to become familiar and interactive with humans. If taken when they are over 10 or 12 weeks or older, they have a slightly harder time adjusting to not being around their mother and siblings. Some breeders recommend that guard breed dogs and dogs prone to aggression issues be placed in their new homes at 6 weeks of age so that they begin socialization with humans early in life. Good, dedicated breeders are intimately familiar with their dogs' traits and requirements so it pays to mind them. To be sure, though, discuss the breed and age with your veterinarian before-hand to make sure you're fully informed.
Playfulness/Activity Level
Puppies should be playful and active when there's stimulation such as visitors. Young puppies may tire easily but their eagerness and excitement should be completely evident. Sometimes puppies that are on display for long periods of time will be hard to engage b/c they are not allowed to rest between handling. This is a red flag because the excessive exposure can also introduce a host of germs to their virgin systems. An ideal situation would be a scheduled visit to see the pups in their home environment so that you can interact with and observe all the puppies.
The puppies should be very engaging. They shouldn't shy away from your touch, cower, or back up with lowered tails. This timidity can be a bad sign of a developing behavioral problem.
Eyes, Ears, & Nose
Healthy puppy should look should look bright, clean, and free of discharge or stains near the eyes, ears, and nose. Their eyes should be symetrical, focused, and alert; their ears should be clean and not sensitive to your touch; and their noses should be warm and dry with no signs of discharge. Sick puppies often have discharge from their eyes and nose; if you note that in a puppy, try not to handle him or her. For one, some infections can be contagious to other dogs or humans, and secondly, sick puppies don't have as much energy so they appreciate being left alone to recover.
It's also important to test hearing and eyesight. To test hearing in your puppy of choice, take him/her somewhere away from the rest of the litter and put him/her down. Clap loudly without warning out of his/her field of vision to see if he/she startles at the noise. A puppy with normal hearing will either startle, pause, or turn towards the sound. This simple test is important. especially in breeds with a high rate of congenital deafness like Dalmations. Without it, it could happen that you don't find out your dog is deaf until you complain to the vet that your dog seems oblivious to sounds around him! To test eyesight, wave a soundless toy back and forth a few feet away from a restrained puppy and make sure he/she tracks it with his/her eyes.
Coat
Regardless of the breed or mix, a healthy pup's coat ought to be clean, even, and shiny. Dull, greasy, or patchy fur can signal health problems or malnutrion. Choose a puppy whose coat has a healthy glow and feel to it.
Size
In any litter, there will be larger dogs and smaller dogs. The size of the pups does correlate directly to the size he or she will be at maturity so usually bigger pups will tend to grow into bigger dogs. When choosing a pet-quality dog in a large breed, I always suggest picking from the smaller littermates because bigger dogs have a tendency to have more skeletal structural issues than smaller dogs. Also, in general, the bigger the dog, the shorter the lifespan.
Temperament
Most puppies are friendly, playful, and bold. This is how they should be. Puppies that don't want to interact or who are sullen, lethargic, or skittish should be avoided. Unengaging pups could have social or behavioral issues later in life. All puppies playfully bark, growl, and nip at fingers or heels but overtly aggressive puppies, those who cower and assume truly aggressive stands (ears back, tail lowered, and/or teeth bared) should also be avoided. Dogs like these require owners who are fully versed in canine behavior and have the experience and patience to mould them into socially balanced dogs. Also pay attention to the individual personalities the puppies display. Who's the barker, the nipper, the affectionate one, the laid-back one? These are all traits you should take into consideration as you decide which personality best suits you.
Once you've chosen the puppy you like best, spend some time with him or her alone; sometimes their behavior is different when they are not around their littermates or mother. Be sure to note not only the pup's behavior with you, but his behavior around his littermates as well. Is he the most dominant? Middle of the pack? Or is he at the bottom of the totem pole? The dominant puppy in the pack may be more stubborn to train and may test obedience boundaries more frequently. The lowest ranking pup may grow up being possessive of his food and toys as a result of having fended for himself as a pup. Middle-tier pups usually make the best family dogs.
These tips are to help you find a good puppy with whom you can connect more easily because you're taking care to avoid unnecessary complications of health and temperament. Having said all this, I don't want you to think that the other puppies, the ones who fail to meet any of the above criteria aren't worthy. They are. It's just that they require a different category of owner - owners with more time, expertise, and understanding of their special needs. If you've already fallen in love with a puppy that displays any of these traits, talk with a veterinarian or a behaviorist to see what you can do to address these issues before they become more serious.
One last note of advice - be wary of pups that are priced differently from the rest of the litter. Many times, this signals a deficit of which the breeder/seller is aware so it behooves you to inquire as to the reason behind the price difference.
Best of luck finding that special pup! And remember, feel free to email me with any questions, comments, stories, or pictures!
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For more Sean Boley cartoons, visit http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c123/kr2nist/
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