Choosing a puppy from a litter is difficult. All those cute furballs with big eyes–you want to take them all home with you! The boldest puppy in the litter may jump around your feet, trying to gain your attention, while another may quietly hang back from the action. So many puppies, each with his or her own personality. How do you know which puppy in a litter is the best choice for your family?

Some folks will advise you to “take the one that runs right up to you,” but this isn’t necessarily the best advice. A puppy who is so fearless as to run right up to strangers and jump all over them is likely to have a dominant personality and could be quite a handful for his new owners. The puppy who was so lively and entertaining at the breeders’ might wear you out with his high activity level once you have to deal with him full time!

Dominant dogs (or “alpha” dogs) aren’t necessarily aggressive dogs. They merely want to be in charge, and would rather give orders than take them. Dogs with dominant personalities need to be taught their proper place in the family pack through firm leadership and appropriate behavior training. http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/behavior.html

The submissive dog doesn’t want to run the show; he’s happy following your lead and will earnestly seek your approval. Puppies who are extremely timid are most likely to grow up to be shy dogs even when they are properly socialized. Such dogs may be affectionate enough with their own families, but may never warm up to visitors or let strangers pet them. http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/buying/articles/how-to-choose-a-puppy.html

The best family companions fall somewhere in the middle. Ideally, your dog will be devoted to his family, obedient, and polite to strangers. Dogs with extremes of personality can be difficult to bring to the middle ground without extensive training, and some dogs are truly psychotic. Choosing a puppy with a moderate personality, with slight tendencies toward aggression or dominance as your family’s needs require, and giving him proper socialization and training is your best bet for raising a well-balanced canine companion.http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/buying/articles/how-to-choose-a-puppy.html Please use this guide to learn how to choose a puppy from a litter.

Choose a dog whose innate personality will enable him to live up to your expectations as a family companion. Do you want a gentle family watch dog who will bark to warn you when strangers approach, or do you need a guard dog who can assert his authority if he deems it necessary? Do you want an active dog who will be eager to engage in outdoor sports and games with you, or do you want one who is less active and more content to lie at your feet? And how much experience do you have with dogs?

First-time dog owners who have little experience with dogs or who have young children should choose a puppy with a temperament that is on the submissive side of moderate. Dominant dogs tend to be high-energy creatures and need lots of exercise and a job to keep them busy. They will learn to manipulate owners who don’t have a good understanding of how to keep dogs’ bossy behavior under control, and may view children as their subordinates. When the dog has control of the family, instead of the other way around, he creates disharmony in the family, and may even be a liability.http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/behavior.html

Before you take time to evaluate individual pure breed puppies, require that the breeder shows you proof that his parent stock has been tested and verified to be free of genetic defects common to the breed. Mixed breed dogs tend to have less genetic maladies because they draw from a wider gene pool, and it’s unlikely that the parent stock has been tested. How much of a chance you want to take is up to you, but choosing a dog who is known to be genetically superior can save much money and heartache later.

Check the litter for general signs of good physical health. The puppies should have bright, expressive eyes that look straight ahead; the eyes and nose should not have discharges. The puppies' coats should be clean and in good condition, without sores or spots on the skin that may be caused by parasites. Check the gums to see that they are bright pink and healthy and that the teeth are straight. Check the ear canals to see that they are clean inside; dark waxy buildup could mean ear mites or an infection caused by excessive ear wax production (which may be genetic or indicate allergies).http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2106&aid=841

Evaluate the overall condition of the dog’s body. A healthy puppy is well-proportioned for his age, with straight bones and firm muscles; neither overweight or underweight. Watch the puppy run and check for an even gait. If even one of the puppies in the litter appears sick and listless, with dull eyes and/or discharges from the eyes and nose, pale gums or other signs of illness, pass on the entire litter. The sick puppies may have a communicable dog disease which hasn’t taken hold of the apparently healthy puppies yet but probably will.http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2106&aid=841

Once you’re away from the litter, put the puppy down and see how much interest he shows in you. Try to get him to follow you. If he goes merrily the other way (not running away in fear but because he’s rather do his own thing), his personality will typically be dominant and more independent than that of a puppy who wants to interact with you.http://www.canismajor.com/dog/pikpup.html#Checkout

An overly-submissive puppy may slink away fearfully with his tail tucked between his legs. A moderately-tempered puppy will welcome your attention and want to play, and will follow you when you beckon to him. He will most likely be your best choice, especially if you want him as a playmate for your children.http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/buying/articles/how-to-choose-a-puppy.html

Cradle the puppy like you would a baby. Turn the puppy on his back and hold him in your arms and gently restrain him. The most dominant puppies will strongly resist being turned on their backs; they may even growl or snap. Such puppies will probably always behave this way, even with behavior training. Dogs who resist being handled can be difficult to restrain for grooming, first aid, or veterinary care.

The moderate puppy may wriggle around at first but will settle in and allow you to stroke him without trying to nip at you. Overly submissive puppies may snuggle in but will look nervous and uncomfortable; they may even submissively urinate or defecate. Not a good sign! They may outgrow their submissive urination as they get older, but you can't always count on it.

The temperaments of the individual puppies in a litter can vary quite a bit, so it’s best to evaluate each puppy before making a choice. Puppies whose temperaments fall at the extreme ends of the emotional spectrum are best left to professional dog handlers who know how to deal with their innate problems.

Whether you’ve already decided on a male or female, or have your heart set on a certain coat color, choosing a puppy with the right personality for your family should take precedent. You need to know that you’ll be able to meet your puppy’s emotional needs and that he will fit your family’s lifestyle so he will be a well-adjusted and devoted companion!