How to Pick a Puppy

By Amy White

You're ready to take the plunge, you've decided to bring a puppy into your life. This is a very exciting decision but you've still got some important decisions to consider before you select your new family member. While it may seem that choosing a puppy is an easy decision, the reality is that it isn't, and it shouldn't be. Choosing a puppy is a wonderful experience but it requires careful preparation and informed planning.

Choose the right breed - one who matches your personality and lifestyle.

Pick a breed that is right for you, your family, and your environment. Consider visiting humane societies, pounds or private rescues to look for that special pup. While purebred dogs can be found, mixed-breeds are most common. Mixed-breed dogs can make some of the most intelligent and well-behaved pets you'll ever be lucky enough to find. However, if you decide to pursue a purebred, you need to figure out which breed will integrate best with you and your family.

Picking a breed should be a commonsense decision. Don't adopt a high-energy breed like a Border Collie or a Jack Russell Terrier if you're living in an apartment and won't take him for more multiple walks per day. Don't go for an Old English Sheep Dog if you hate grooming – you get the point.

Talk to multiple obedience instructors. Reputable obedience instructors have the expertise to give you valuable insight into almost most breeds. Prepare a list of questions beforehand and take accurate notes - these people are a goldmine of information; you've just got to get it out of them.

Be honest with yourself when considering the amount of dog experience you have. Do you think you are prepared to have a dog who can be tough or strong willed? Some breeds are best suited for experienced guardians while others are appropriate for novice owners.

Choose the right breeder - one who passes your interview.

You've decided on a breed. Now you have to decide whether to go through a breeder or a local rescue group. Rescues can help you find homeless or rescued puppies of the breed you want.

Choosing a respected, reputable breeder is a crucial step closer to finding a great lifelong companion. Good breeders produce wonderful, hardy specimens of their chosen breed.

To find a good breeder, contact the Canadian Kennel Club. The Canadian Kennel Club can provide you with a list of preferred breeders or kennels in your area. A good breeder will be meticulous about making sure none of their dogs carry the negative traits, disorders, or diseases associated with the breed, which means your puppy stands a better chance of being healthy throughout life.

The search for a good breeder must include a visit to each breeders' kennels to meet their dogs. Are the breeders older dogs healthy, well behaved and friendly? The pedigree of your puppy will provide you with the best insight into the kind of dog your puppy will grow to become.

Overall appearance and cleanliness of the property/kennel are obvious and critical things to look for when visiting breeders. If the breeder can't get this basic necessity right, you simply turn around and continue your search elsewhere.

Ask all kinds of questions - don't hold back. A good breeder will be happy to address all your questions and encourage you to be as vocal as possible. Ask about the puppies' food requirements, where level of the socialization process the puppies are at, and anything else you can think of. Good breeders are serious and dedicated dog lovers and are typically very protective of their canines – be leery of a breeder who doesn't ask YOU a litany of questions to make sure you are going to be the best possible home.

Is there a waiting list for puppies from this breeder? Good breeders are always popular and it's a good sign if people are prepared to wait in line for their puppies. Will the breeder allow you to return the pup if things don't work out? Inquire about the reason for this litter of puppies, was it planned? Has the pair been mated in the past?

Choose the right puppy - one who passes your personality, temperament and health checks.

First, observe the litter without disturbing the pups. Watch for things like how the pups interact with each other an active, playful pup is desirable, but be leery of ones who are dominant or overbearing with his littermates.

Be wary of a shy and fearful pup when choosing a puppy. Pups at the seven week stage shouldn't show any sign of these undesirable traits. Many people end up selecting a puppy such as this because they feel sorry for them. Don't fall into this trap; it is not a valid reason for picking out a puppy.

Do a general visual health check of the pups. They should be nice and round, not fat, and certainly not skinny. Have a close look at the pup’s eyes, ears, gums, teeth and rear end. You want to see bright eyes, a shiny and clean coat, and no sign of any discharge or debris. Look for a confident little pup who struts up to you and your family with head held high and tail wagging with excitement. A bit of a cheeky lick on the hand is also a good sign. Touch the puppies' all over their bodies including paws, mouth and ears to monitor the reaction. A puppy who has been handled from an early age will find this exchange comfortable and won't have any problem being touched.

The decision to bring a puppy into your family, heart and home is an important one. Much like bringing a child into the home, a puppy is completely dependent and will need you for many years to come. While initially daunting, the commitment you choose to make to a puppy is one of the most rewarding you will ever make.