Choosing a Puppy

[Juli]

I would greatly appreciate some opionions on usual and customary breeder/puppy buyer relations. I have heard from most to let a puppy choose you. So I read about assessing puppy behaviors to be somewhat prepared. I talked to the breeder about the puppies. What I noticed was there was never talk about my choosing a puppy. I inquired again.... do I choose or do we choose together based upon your experience placing puppies with families? Basically, each litter is evaluated and then from there we would talk about choices. Then I was told a number of weeks ago there were pups available but they were most likely show quality, but I would be kept posted. Now, a number of weeks later I get a message, your pup is ready to go home. Obviously, there is miscommunication, but again this is my first experience. I am beginning to feel like I will never have very good communication with this breeder. I am not trying to malign. This person was highly recommended.I just have no other experience for comparison. Is it typical for a breeder to say "This one is yours"? Please advise....don't make me go to Newf-L....I'm just a lurker there and they scare the @#$% out of me

 

[GAD]

LOL about Newf-L...

As for the puppy choosing, yes I like the puppy to choose the person.

Understand though that you will probably get placed in a list and the first people on the list get first choice etc. Show pups go to those who want show pups first (or other breeders etc), then pet pups go to those who want them, usually (I imagine) on a first come first serve basis. For example in Cozy's litter we got first pick, but only from the girls.

My concern would be a lack of communication with your breeder. Your breeder is someone you should be bothering a lot with a new pup!

It's hard for me to imagine a breeder letting a Newfie pup go to someone whom they haven't created a relationship with...

GAD

 

[Juli]

GAD,
Thanks for responding. As I'm sure you can tell from my other wordy posts, I don't have a problem laying it all out there. I ask a million questions, I'm enthusiastic and will love and do everything I can to give this pup the best. I know I have projected that to the breeder, I think she is comfortable with where the pup will be. I guess what I am trying to say is I believe she thinks we have a relationship......I just don't fully understand the rules

 

[AmyPC]

We told our breeder right up we wanted a girl, and just to be our baby, not for breeding or showing at all. We basically had two to choose from, the others being designated 'show quality' and boys. A few had already been selected. We first 'picked' Rory at 4 weeks, and then visited her again at six weeks and 8 weeks, and then we took her home a bit after that. It was hard enough to choose between the two, quite frankly I'm almost glad we didn't have the entire 10 in her litter to choose from!

But from what I understand, the breeder sort of chooses which ones you can choose from, based on what they intend the dog to eventually do.

Anyway good luck with your puppy...I'm sure we'll be hearing from you a lot soon!