Choosing the Right Breed & Puppy Breeds' Temperaments~ If you haven't decided on a breed yet, this is extremely important! Each breed was created for a purpose. That purpose shapes the breed's temperament, characteristics, trainability and adaptability. Just as size and appearance are shaped by purpose, so are temperament and behavior tendencies. Never overlook importance of the breed's original purpose because you've fallen in love with the way a dog looks! Many people regret their choice of breed later because of this. There is plenty of unbiased information to explore on the internet before deciding on any one breed. Choosing a Breed, Choosing a Puppy~ There is so much thought and reading that should go into first choosing the right breed to fit your personality and lifestyle. Next is choosing the perfect puppy. This is just a few highlights. If you are getting a pup shipped, as more people are doing these days, you obviously must rely totally on the seller to describe the pup's nature. Ask the right questions. Without being asked, chances are the average seller will not volunteer much about the personality aside from being a "friendly, happy puppy". What are parents temperaments like? Has the breeder observed the pup's interaction with littermates? Does the pup monopolize the food bowl and not let the other pups eat? Is it constantly demanding attention? Is the pup confident, friendly, ears raised at alert, and in the middle of lots of puppy squabbles? Is it first to eat, or last to eat? Does it roll on its back often, keep its ears always folded back, comes slowly when called, hesitant? Has the pup ever snapped or bitten? Even if "provoked" this trait is important to avoid. These questions help determine dominance or submission, passivity and agression, inhibition (self restraint) or lack of it. A very dominant, uninhibited, active puppy can be a nightmare for the wrong family and those without much training experience. Dominant puppies try to take control, and are at the same time, "out of control". They need to be trained in basic obedience. As a dominant adult, they may become agressive over food and territory . A very submissive or timid one will require encouragement, patience, gentleness, and at the extreme may be a "pee dribbler". Slightly timid puppies work well with quiet, sensitive people, and often require little training, but in a a noisy, rowdy family, may become extremely stressed. For most people it's best to avoid extremes: avoid the most hesitant, timid one and the most friendly rowdy puppy alike (unless they are all timid but one!). High energy pups usually attract people; they're fun and make you laugh. Busy dogs are great if you want a daily activity pal, but tend to be troublesome if not getting a workout and given strong leadership consistently.. If you want a lap dog, find out if the pup likes to be held, will it be still in your arms and lie in your lap, or does it wriggle to get down, run around, go investigate and play..the latter will be more independent and not be likely to be a lap dog as an adult. If noise is an issue in your life, ask if pup barks/cries more compared to others. Such pups usually become noisy adults. Of course, most puppies tend to be a noisy when left alone. The seller should be able to provide guidance on early training and be a resource as you and your puppy get to know each other. |