Assessing Puppies
You should be allowed time to get to know the litter
When you find a breeder with whom you are happy and a litter has been born you will be invited to view the puppies, probably when they are between 4 and 6 weeks old. The puppies should be happy, active and outgoing, they should not be nervous or fearful nor should they be aggressive and agitated with each other or with visitors.
Puppies should be happy, outgoing and
people oriented
Physically the puppies should be well rounded (but not potbellied) stocky, clean and free of parasite bites, their coats should be healthy and fluffy, eyes and noses should not be runny and there should be no discharge. In a well bred litter, whose parents have been chose for temperament and character there should not be a wide variation in the behaviour of the puppies, if puppies have been bred for type there should not be a wide variation in physical characteristics either.
Interaction with people at a very early age is essential
in a companion (pet) dog
No puppies should be cowering or fearful and none should be aggressive and bullying, all should be happy, friendly and sensibly confident. The breeder should be well informed, ready to help with any questions and allow you time to get to know the mother and litter .
Puppies should be relaxed and used to being handled
It is most important that you should always see the puppies with their mother, if the mother is not present be cautious, the puppies may not have been bred on the premises, the litter might have been bought in from a puppy farm or dealer.
It is essential to see the pups with their mother
Usually the stud dog will not be owned by the breeder but it is always worth seeing the stud dog if he is not too far away, you can ask the breeder if she can arrange the visit for you.
Whilst you are enjoying the puppies and meeting the bitch and the rest of the breeder's dogs the breeder will be assessing you and deciding if you are likely to be a suitable owner and what type of puppy will suit you best.
Only handle puppies when invited to do so by the breeder
Remember that young puppies are very vulnerable to disease and easily injured, never visit one litter after another without bathing and changing your clothes in between and never pick up or handle puppies without being invited to do so by the breeder, puppies wriggle, can be difficult to hold and may suffer serious injuries if dropped or mishandled.
Puppies should be confident and happy with people
You should treat puppies just as you would treat a baby or very young child. Never allow children to handle puppies unless invited to do so by the breeder and don't allow children to run around, be noisy or interfere with the bitch or puppies.
Children should be on their best behaviour
Children should be on their best behaviour and interact with the bitch and her puppies only as and when directed by the breeder.
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