Help! How to determine which puppy to pick

[mrshanson]

Hi everyone, I'm having a hard time finding online what are key characteristics to look for in choosing a healthy puppy out of the litter, the only things I have found that have been helpful is a big square head and legs about the same length as it's spine..are these correct and what other key things should I be looking for aside from it's general temperament?

Thank you

 

[Schimpfy]

Make sure you see the parents and perhaps talk with their vet, at this stage it wiII come to Looks and temperament, can include a return policy hope this helps and am sure others wiII post more info

 

[Alice Kable]

If they are all equally healthy, do you prefer male or female? Sit on the floor with the pups, they should all be curious and check you out, but maybe one will hang around with you longer. Let the pup pick you!

 

[2bullymama]

If they are all equally healthy, do you prefer male or female? Sit on the floor with the pups, they should all be curious and check you out, but maybe one will hang around with you longer. Let the pup pick you!

^^^^ agreed!

 

[Cbrugs]

Aside from them being healthy and whether or not you prefer male or female, is there a specific color you are drawn to? I was determined to get a black masked fawn so that was all I was looking for. I originally wanted a female but when I saw Jax's (Chip was his name back then) picture, it was love at first sight and the rest is history!

 

[mrshanson]

At first I was zero-ed in on wanting a particular color but now after reading all the health issues that can come across I just want to find the healthiest looking pup, I moved from my 3rd in line pick from a young mother to 1st in line pick to another mom who is a few years old and has already had a litter and I have read the pros and cons of both types of moms so hoping my choice to move to first pick was a wise one.

 

[blushy]

If they are all equally healthy, do you prefer male or female? Sit on the floor with the pups, they should all be curious and check you out, but maybe one will hang around with you longer. Let the pup pick you!

My pup was a wanderer, but was just as happy as a clam to sit in my lap. Her brother chose my husband.

So it made us not know which to choose, but we went there specifically for a girl, and she was the one we left with.

Although if we could have taken her mom with us? We would have.

 

[blushy]

At first I was zero-ed in on wanting a particular color but now after reading all the health issues that can come across I just want to find the healthiest looking pup, I moved from my 3rd in line pick from a young mother to 1st in line pick to another mom who is a few years old and has already had a litter and I have read the pros and cons of both types of moms so hoping my choice to move to first pick was a wise one.

I was 2nd in line.

One girl was spoken for, and there were 2 boys and a girl left.

The mom was 5, and had 5 litters (my pup coming from her 5th).

Isabelle is healthy, and developed cherry eye, but other than that, I couldn't be happier.

Don't stress yourself out. Even the healthiest frenchies come with a hefty vet bill.

Be excited and happy and you'll get the right pup!

 

[mrshanson]

We prefer a male but we are open to either, this is our first so I guess I just need to know what physical features we should be keeping an eye out for

 

[davidh]

You have some great info above. It is always good to let the pup pick you when possible, but that is not always possible. Check the breeder out. Are they a show breeder, do they have champions in their bloodline, do they breed for health, temperament, and to the AKC Frenchie standard? I would stay away from breeders who breed for color, meaning breeding for "rare" colors that are not Frenchie standard. Always ask to see the dam, and sire, but sometimes the sire is not present, but they should have a pic of him and will let you know whick breeder owns him and his bloodline. Check out their kennel, see if it is clean, the dogs are clean and if something just doesn't look right, it probably isn't Go with your gut feeling about the breeder and pup. If you can get pics of the pups before you go, put them on here and we can help to see if they look good or not. Look on akc.org under breed and read the Frenchie standards and that will help you also.

 

[mrshanson]

The breeder so far has been very good, quick to respond, answers all my questions and has never once said she breeds for "rare colors" has a one year health guarantee and will buy back if for some reason we cannot keep the dog and will let me visit the puppies whenever I want (Lives about 50 miles away) but they are bred for pet quality (not papered) Here is a picture of the mom and dad the mom being on the right when she was a puppy

Thank you all for your tips and knowledge so far, I already feel better about when the time comes to choosing