Qualities in a pup?

[MR BIGGS]

I want to know what is everyones personal preference when it comes to choosing a pup. The only thing I look for is that bulldog face and smile and I'm hypnotized, but there's got to be more than that.

When you get a pup what are you wanting it to look like and act like as a puppy and/or adult?

[Patch O' Pits]

I actualy will be doing this next week and am going to have a hard time because they are out of my male and I love them all. Plus I ma used to getting to spend a ton of time with the pups before picking and since they are so far away I don't get to do that :(

I look at a lot of things honestly.

-Personality. I like very confident pups

-The way the pup walks/ carries itself and the attitude

-temperament

-Structure from head to toe

-Play toy and food drive

**The stucture of a up at close to 8 weeks is the closest representation of what the adult structure will be. There are a number of things to look at inorder to see how the pup will grow and mature

** I expect the pup and adult to act and look like what the standard calls for... LOL I'm not too picky am I ???? :D

[Attila]

Not much to add to Patch O' Pits list. I have a few Dog folk I trust. They know what I like and I know what they like. The likes fall along the lines of her list above. One thing is for sure No one gets a dog from my yard that I would not personally keep myself. Parting with a dog is very hard for me, even as a puppy. So I am looking at the Kennel, owner, and a various list of things I am looking for in them weither I am getting or giving a dog. Picking a pup from the right person is very important. A trust worthy person would only let you have one of the highest quality. As far as I am concerned I expect that from others and others will get that from me. Build a repore with the breeder. You may have questions for them later as well. It is good to see what they have on their yard and also what they have achieved with what is and has been on their yard. I used to think you got what you paid for but the Bully Mutts being sold for crazy prices have changed that about me. I know longer find that as true as it once was. Sad really. I knoticed a list of crappy breeders and kennel operations not long ago. It would be nice to have at least a contact for those that are good upstanding folks. There are good kennels in Texas probably not far from you. Maybe one of the fellow Texan's will help you out with finding one for or with you. Build relationships with your dogmen. That is often a friendship that last a life time. I am glad I came to this site when I did. My old friends are making the final trip more often now. I am not above making new friends. In fact it is good to keep a good supply of friends. Especially the trust worthy ones.

[realonebulldog]

I want to know what is everyones personal preference when it comes to choosing a pup. The only thing I look for is that bulldog face and smile and I'm hypnotized, but there's got to be more than that.

When you get a pup what are you wanting it to look like and act like as a puppy and/or adult? You never know for sure how they turn out....play with him and if he plays carefully with you thats a good sign.

[pennsooner]

Good question, once my old dog Stockey passes I'll be getting a pup and I've been putting a lot of thought into this (although it could be another few years still, I hope).


It depends on what you want in a dog. I was on someones yard and they had some pups that were hot already at 7 weeks. Not for me. I want a pup thats not the dominate one in the litter and not the runt either. NO SHY PUPS. I like a pup thats looks at you and shows interest and focus. And a very people frendly mother is key. Tail up and alert and interested in his/ her envoronment. To me, the parents are important and particuarly, the bitch. A good bitch is key since she passes on 50% of the genetics but also teaches the pups, they will take their cues for how to respond to their enviroment from her.

[MR BIGGS]

The pup we have now started off as submissive and jumpy about so much. Now he's showing more dominance and he's more aware of his surroundings.
Anyway
Do the parents really matter on how a pup turns out? I've heard many times that it does, but have seen that it depends on how you raise them. Is genetics really a myth? I think so but that's my personal opinion.

[pennsooner]

Genetics is NOT a myth by a longshot. Its just that genetics is so complex that few folks can really figure out how it works. But yeah, pay close attention to the parents and in particular the mother. If you go to a breeder that has been in for awhile and breeds real tight, that clears up some guesswork, what you see will be more likely to be what you get. If its some newbie BYB type who scatterbreeds................... no telling what the pups might be like.


And again, the bitch is key, the pups will take their cues from her.

[purplepig]

Allot of good advice. I will add that I like to see the pups in the yard, and I like the one that looks very confident, of course the shy one can, and often does change, still gambling. I like the odds in my favor. When one of them catches your eye, take it off to the side, see if it is a people dog, or if it could care less about you. Pet it a moment, hold it to make eye contact, set it down and walk off about 10 ft, see if it follows you. keep it seperate long enough for it to gain interest in something maybe put a toy down or something to get its attention off of you, then make a loud noise, clap you hands or something. It's okay if the dog jumps/reacts momentarily, looks at you and goes back at the toy or whatever, but if it overreacts, go look at another one.

Like Patch said, look at how the structure is on the skeletal level. Check to see if ther is an under/over bite, look at how the tail is. Look it over real good. Look the parents over good, and I really like to see the grand parents. What are their temperments like? Because that is where the dom and recessive traits are coming from. What are their tmperments like? Are they lazy? Are they in good health?

As to the genetics, of course envirornment changes them I believe. How else could a dog who learns first generation how to hunt a squirel pass this trait down to its child? But you are in better shape starting out with a good genetic base to build upon, rather than trying to overcome bad genes. I am speaking of behavior, not physical. Look closely at the health. Health can be a big issue with inbred dogs, so look at the parents/grandparents real good. Health certificates. etc.

I wish I could say that I have always followed these suggestion, but I havent. Sometimes I got lucky, sometimes not. And with all of it, alittle help of luck(I am lucky no more, but blessed) is always needed.

[Patch O' Pits]

Genetics is NOT a myth by a longshot. I agree. That is just one of the reasons you need to really trust the breeder and make sure they can explain to you what traits are usually dominant in the line and why they did the breeding. Getting to see at least the parents if not more dogs in the line is improtant to me when looking at the pups as well

[LadyRampage]

When you see a litter for the first time... that one pup that catches your eye, stands out from the others? Thats the one. lol Has nothing to do with traits, looks or anything... just an instant draw to that pup..

[Patch O' Pits]

When you see a litter for the first time... that one pup that catches your eye, stands out from the others? Thats the one. lol Has nothing to do with traits, looks or anything... just an instant draw to that pup..Honestly pcking with your heart is not always the best way especially if you have specific goals in mind

[LadyRampage]

Honestly pcking with your heart is not always the best way especially if you have specific goals in mindLMAO.. that is rich.. picking from your heart? Specific goals? You can tell NOTHING about a puppy until it is an adult. I assumed that if you were looking at a litter you already knew it was in line with your goals and it wasn't some random litter you happened to see... lmao

Ok, I take that back if you want to breed for color, and strictly confirmation (wait you can't tell confirmation 100% on a pup either)... then maybe you can pick toward those specific goals.. lol Damn they did ask about picking a PUPPY right? not a grown dog...

oh and BTW... I wasn't suggesting "picking from your heart".. I was suggesting picking the pup that was an immediate appeal to you, especially since not everyone would like the same one.. lol

[sedaliapitbulls]

basically I dont have anything to add to this so same for me.



I actualy will be doing this next week and am going to have a hard time because they are out of my male and I love them all. Plus I ma used to getting to spend a ton of time with the pups before picking and since they are so far away I don't get to do that :(

I look at a lot of things honestly.

-Personality. I like very confident pups

-The way the pup walks/ carries itself and the attitude

-temperament

-Structure from head to toe

-Play toy and food drive

**The stucture of a up at close to 8 weeks is the closest representation of what the adult structure will be. There are a number of things to look at inorder to see how the pup will grow and mature

** I expect the pup and adult to act and look like what the standard calls for... LOL I'm not too picky am I ???? :D

[Patch O' Pits]

LMAO.. that is rich.. picking from your heart? Specific goals? You can tell NOTHING about a puppy until it is an adult. I assumed that if you were looking at a litter you already knew it was in line with your goals and it wasn't some random litter you happened to see... lmao

Ok, I take that back if you want to breed for color, and strictly confirmation (wait you can't tell confirmation 100% on a pup either)... then maybe you can pick toward those specific goals.. lol Damn they did ask about picking a PUPPY right? not a grown dog...

oh and BTW... I wasn't suggesting "picking from your heart".. I was suggesting picking the pup that was an immediate appeal to you, especially since not everyone would like the same one.. lol
Well, honestly I take picking with what first catches you eye to picking with your heart. Guess you have a different meaning for it or I'm taking what you mean the wrong way... Sorry

People do want dogs for different reasons and yes, you can tell a lot from a pup IMO. Have you ever seen the video puppy puzzle. It is really interesting how much you can tell from a lil one.

Certainly pups change as adults, but they also have a lot of qualities that can be seen already as pups IMO especially if you know the line you are chosing from and how they develop. Even some overall temperament iussues can be seen if you know how to look for them in a pup and so can drive at times. A pup that walks around like it's poop doesn't stink is very different from one who hides alone in a corner. Some pups are a lot more to handle right off the bat than others.

I think it is important to take the time to pick carefullky you can disagree you aren't picking a dog for me so I don't really care LOL. Your dog has to make you happy and that is what counts.

... I never said anything about color. I don't even think color should come into play when picking a dog

Also I never said anyone should pick on conformation alone as I don't agree with that either

So if for instance:
If I was interested in doing agility with the pup, I certainly wouldn't want a dog straight in the stiffle right off the bat as that make jumping and turns much harder on the dogs and they are more prone to injury nor would I want a dog that seemed shy or stand offish
So like I said, it depends on what you are looking fo in the puppy

Everyone is obviously different when it comes to picking that is why the OP asked for opinions.

[LadyRampage]

Well, honestly I take picking with what first catches you eye to picking with your heart. Guess you have a different meaning for it or I'm taking what you mean the wrong way... Sorry

People do want dogs for different reasons and yes, you can tell a lot from a pup IMO. Have you ever seen the video puppy puzzle. It is really interesting how much you can tell from a lil one.

Certainly pups change as adults, but they also have a lot of qualities that can be seen already as pups IMO especially if you know the line you are chosing from and how they develop. Even some overall temperament iussues can be seen if you know how to look for them in a pup and so can drive at times. A pup that walks around like it's poop doesn't stink is very different from one who hides alone in a corner. Some pups are a lot more to handle right off the bat than others.

I think it is important to take the time to pick carefullky you can disagree you aren't picking a dog for me so I don't really care LOL. Your dog has to make you happy and that is what counts.

... I never said anything about color. I don't even think color should come into play when picking a dog

Also I never said anyone should pick on conformation alone as I don't agree with that either

So if for instance:
If I was interested in doing agility with the pup, I certainly wouldn't want a dog straight in the stiffle right off the bat as that make jumping and turns much harder on the dogs and they are more prone to injury nor would I want a dog that seemed shy or stand offish
So like I said, it depends on what you are looking fo in the puppy

Everyone is obviously different when it comes to picking that is why the OP asked for opinions.
Again, IMO its a puppy.. you can see some good characteristics right off the bat but there is no guarantee that will hold true as an adult. A confident dog as a pup may be the opposite as an adult or just average. And I've seen a shy pup become outgoing as an adult.. lol Its all in what they are shown, how they react it those things, and what they take away from those encounters. Of course all my opinion as well.

I've see pups with perfect looking legs turn out with a straight stifle, and other bad things that crop up AFTER the dog is grown. So many things can influence they way the pup devolpes its still just a guessing game...

Must be right.. I do "pick from the heart" but I know what lines I'm looking at, know what the parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents are all about, and know overall what type of dog I'm looking at... but yet its still a gamble and I'd rather pick a pup I would be happy feeding.

If your interested in an agility dog the first step would be to look at a litter with titled agility parents, hell that ups your odds right off.. NO breeder can guarantee a pup will be 100% what the person wants, but if you know of one put me in touch.. lol

In my opinion it's a gamble, no matter what you base your pick off of. In reality your better off keeping the litter/watching the litter until the pups are 4 months old or older then make your decision. IMO that when you can really see the characteristics and can START to see what the adult will be.

Just like to keep it real, and no you didn't mention color but I had to throw that one in as another thing that is NOT important.

[FearlessKnight]

Well, honestly I take picking with what first catches you eye to picking with your heart. Guess you have a different meaning for it or I'm taking what you mean the wrong way... Sorry

People do want dogs for different reasons and yes, you can tell a lot from a pup IMO. Have you ever seen the video puppy puzzle. It is really interesting how much you can tell from a lil one.

Certainly pups change as adults, but they also have a lot of qualities that can be seen already as pups IMO especially if you know the line you are chosing from and how they develop. Even some overall temperament iussues can be seen if you know how to look for them in a pup and so can drive at times. A pup that walks around like it's poop doesn't stink is very different from one who hides alone in a corner. Some pups are a lot more to handle right off the bat than others.

I think it is important to take the time to pick carefullky you can disagree you aren't picking a dog for me so I don't really care LOL. Your dog has to make you happy and that is what counts.

... I never said anything about color. I don't even think color should come into play when picking a dog

Also I never said anyone should pick on conformation alone as I don't agree with that either

So if for instance:
If I was interested in doing agility with the pup, I certainly wouldn't want a dog straight in the stiffle right off the bat as that make jumping and turns much harder on the dogs and they are more prone to injury nor would I want a dog that seemed shy or stand offish
So like I said, it depends on what you are looking fo in the puppy

Everyone is obviously different when it comes to picking that is why the OP asked for opinions.
I agree, you can tell alot from a little puppy. Every pup we have ever had has turned out exactly like we expected it to, and that was going fromthe basic "check out the pup you pick list"
We too do tha same:
I look at a lot of things honestly.

-Personality. I like very confident pups

-The way the pup walks/ carries itself and the attitude

-temperament

-Structure from head to toe

-Play toy and food drive

**The stucture of a up at close to 8 weeks is the closest representation of what the adult structure will be. There are a number of things to look at inorder to see how the pup will grow and mature It does say alot......

[Patch O' Pits]

Actually looking at structure in an older pup going through the ganglies it would be much harder to see what the pup will turn out like. As I said the structure at 8 weeks mimics the structure as an adult. I've never seen that change unless though injuries and or environmental factors such as poor food which can play a part. I've honestly never seen a pup with no turn in the stifle suddenly develop.

Like I said the video Puppy Puzzle is really great at breaking all this down. If you are interested in it

Having titled parents is always a plus but just because the parents are titled it doesn't mean the pups are working quality. Chances are better they will be but not always the case.
Just like a pedigree does not make the dog and a dog from gamebred lines is not necessarily a game dog

I will agree to disagree with you on this area. I'm not here to argue :) My opinion is not going to change on this subject and obviously neither will yours

[LadyRampage]

I will agree to disagree with you on this area. I'm not here to argue :) My opinion is not going to change on this subject and obviously neither will yours
Hey we do agree on something.. lol I'm pretty stubborn, but its nice to have an animated discussion.:D

[Patch O' Pits]

Hey we do agree on something.. lol I'm pretty stubborn, but its nice to have an animated discussion.:D LOL Me too. I agree and I always do try to see others views on things even when I know mine won't usually change. It is nice to get others perspectives either way:D