Choosing your puppy

At first, observe the litter without disturbing them. 
Look out for things like how the pups 
interact with each other. 

Do a general, visual health check of each puppy. 
They should be nice and round - not fat, 
and certainly not skinny. 

Have a close look at the pups eyes, ears, 
gums, teeth and rear end.

 You want to see bright eyes with no sign of any discharge and a shiny and clean coat. 
 Look for a confident little pup who struts up to you and your family with tail wagging with excitement.

 Be wary of a shy and fearful pup. Pups at the 7-8 week stage shouldn't show any sign of these 
undesirable traits. Now if you visit a younger puppy 4 or 5 weeks old it will be harder to determine 
so watch how they react to someone they already know such as the breeder.
 It's important that the puppy you choose has energy levels which are compatible with you and your 
family's lifestyle. These energy levels can vary 
a great deal even in the same litter. 

After spending some time with the puppies you 
can make a judgment yourself, or the breeder will 
give you some insight. All healthy puppies are 
playful and run, jump and nibble but, some 
are on a whole different level.

Pick the puppy up, hug him and cradle him. This
is a bit of a test, if he reacts by squealing and 
wriggling and doesn't settle down, this is not 
a good sign if you wish for a mellow puppy. 

A little struggle is ok, followed by quickly settling 
down and peering back up at you. (Keep in mind 
if you pick up a puppy in the middle of play or 
when they are excited to see you, you may 
not get an accurate reading.)
 Touch the puppy all over their bodies including 
paws, mouth and ears to monitor the reaction. A
 puppy that has been handled from an early age 
won't have any problem with you doing this
and will welcome the attention.

Choosing the right puppy is an important step
towards ensuring you end up with a healthy,
​well-adjusted and happy long term companion. 

Once you bring your puppy home it is then 
your responsibility to provide proper socialization 
and obedience training. This will shape the temperament and behavior habits of your
puppy and set him up to thrive.