Picking the perfect puppy

After finding a reputable breeder you trust to bring your new fur baby into the world, the real fun can finally begin! Selecting your puppy from a litter is one of the most exciting things about becoming a puppy parent. However, it also requires a lot of self-restraint on your part in order to ensure you select the perfect puppy for you.

Far too often I hear that people selected their puppy based on his or her colouring, or because the puppy “chose us” by jumping up on them, or they felt bad for the one puppy hiding from everyone and everything in the corner. As good as your intentions are behind wanting to bring home that fearful puppy, and as much as you may truly believe that the bouncy puppy climbing all over you has chosen you to be their new family, it is important to try and think clearly and honestly about what these (and other) behaviours may truly signal about that puppy’s personality and pack position.

For instance, the puppy that “chose” its humans may have actually claimed them and exerted dominance by jumping up. This is a behaviour that could signal that they are more confident than their siblings, and will therefore require strong leadership at home to prevent unwanted behaviours. On the flip side, the cowering puppy is exhibiting clear signs of being a more back of the back, sensitive dog who will likely require much more socialization and calm leadership than a typical happy-go-lucky pup to boost its confidence.

The three pack positions that dogs tend to fall into are front, middle, and back of the pack. These positions dictate their role in the pack, and play a big part in determining their overall personality. In a litter of puppies, there will be one who is the furthest back (most sensitive), one who is the furthest front (most dominant), and the rest will fall somewhere in the middle. Keep in mind that pack positions tend to be a bit of a sliding scale, in that very few dogs are actually purely front, purely middle, or purely back. Most dogs are a mix of two positions. For instance, Sprout is mostly front of the pack but does have some middle of the pack tendencies, while Sullivan is mainly back of the pack with some middle of the pack tendencies.

Back of the pack dogs tend to be the wallflowers of the dog world - they are very nervous of new situations, take longer to warm up to new people and dogs, and tend to be the smallest puppies in the litter. Front of the pack dogs are calm, confident, natural born leaders who will take charge of any new situation if given the chance. They tend to be the largest puppies in a litter, and many breeders will refer to them as being “pick of the litter” as they will best exhibit the breed standard. In a litter of working line German shepherds, for example, these puppies would be the ones chosen to go on to police or guarding work.

The ideal pack position for new puppy parents is middle of the pack. These happy-go-lucky dogs tend to go with the flow, have moderate energy levels, and are always willing to follow a confident leader. Ideally you will be able to visit your puppy’s litter in person to select your new addition as this will allow you to see the puppies interact with their siblings, their mother, and you first hand. I know it’s hard, but please try not to let the ridiculously cute sight of 5-10 puppies rolling around cloud your judgement when selecting your puppy. Take a breath, clear your mind, and simply observe.

Here are some things to look for in a happy-go-lucky puppy;

• They will not jump up on you when you enter the puppy play area, but they also won’t run to the back of the room in fear. Happy-go-lucky puppies are curious but not pushy or fearful

• Dominant puppies will often engage in intense puppy play and wrestling as they are fighting for the dominant position in the pack, while happy-go-lucky puppies will play nicely and respectfully with their siblings

• If you are visiting during feeding time, happy-go-lucky puppies will not force their way to the front of the line but instead will wait and approach the feeding bowl (or their mother, depending on age) calmly and respectfully

• They may be seen licking their mother and/or their sibling’s faces

• If there are toys present, happy-go-lucky puppies will willingly give up the toy they have to any other dog or human that approaches

And that’s it! Now you’re ready to pick your puppy and begin the next stage of your lives together. Try not to let all of this information overwhelm you – choosing your new furry family member is supposed to be fun, exciting, and a truly happy experience. So keep a cool head and make an informed decision, but don’t forget to enjoy this stage of your journey into the wonderful world of puppy parenthood!