How you judge a puppy?

[LEYNA]

Ok, I have been thinking this over for awhile and I haven't seen a topic on this anywhere that I could find.
I just wanted to get everyones ideas on what they look for in a boxer pup?

You know, ya do your research, find a reputable breeder and make the trip to pick out your bundle of joy, now what features and such do you look for in "the " pup?

I look for a pup that I can lay on his or her back with no resistance, also one that is not cowering in the back of the pen, oh and I definately don't want the boss of the litter either, you know the one whoopin the bejezes outta the rest of em!

I like to look for a nice round dome on their head. Not sure how to decribe it but it looks like their little head domes slightly up between their ears, ya know?

I thought this would be a great way for everyone to get ideas on how to go about choosing their pup!

Do you look for square muzzles or bodies or wide set eyes or do you look at a pup and think it will look that exact way when it gets bigger? How do you know that cute smooshy face won't get a longer than norm snout when it grows up? I had a friend who bought a pup last year from a very reputable breeder who shows both the parents yet my friends pup grew up with a longer snout, not the nice smooshy short snout like it's parents.

Anyhow What do all you guys look for in the perfect pup?

 

[RMMRKK]

Since I am not into my dogs for breeding or showing purposes, I pretty much let the puppy pick me out. I know what color I am looking for and if I want a male or female. I then get down on the ground, and whichever one comes running at me, as long as they are not overbearing and beating the other pups up to get to me.

 

[tianthai]

First I decide if I want a male or female. Secondly I look for a breeder, after seeing many of them, decide on the right breeder which is the most important. Take a look at the parents. Then see the puppies, I usually pick the one who comes and barks at me without any fear.

 

[JulieM]

Quite often for pet puppies a responsible breeder will make the selection for you, in any case, or at least narrow the possibilities. The breeder, after all, has watched the puppies interact for eight or more weeks and will know, for example, whether the pup who happens to be the most assertive when you're visiting actually has a nice, steady, middle-of-the-road temperament, and was just 'feeling his oats' at that particular moment.

At eight weeks, plus or minus three days, the puppy will be proportionally equivalent to its adult status; this is the time that breeders evaluate their litters and decide which pups have the potential to be shown. There are key structural components which must be present at this age in order for the puppy to retain their structure through adulthood - the way the puppy looks when suspended, the laxity in the joints, the 'telltale' point ons growth plates, etc. Most pet puppy buyers are not concerned about these things - they want a stable temperament and the best chances they can get at good health and longevity. They do want a dog that will look like a Boxer is supposed to look, but they aren't going to care if the muzzle is 3/5 with width of the skull instead of 2/3, or if the hocks are 1/3 the height of the dog, etc.

 

[LEYNA]

Thanks Julie! That was the kind of info I was lookin for! I am not interested in breeding in the least!(too much involved for me) But I was just wondering how people into breeding and showing go about looking for their perfect future champion outta a litter of pups.
I just think it is interesting how everyone has their own "ways" of deciphering a dogs conformation and such at such a young age, and was just tryin to get more insight into that. I hope ya understand what the heck I am tryin to say, LOL!
Plain and simple I'm just curious and thought others would like to know also

 

[joncads]

Since I am not into my dogs for breeding or showing purposes, I pretty much let the puppy pick me out. I know what color I am looking for and if I want a male or female. I then get down on the ground, and whichever one comes running at me, as long as they are not overbearing and beating the other pups up to get to me.

Ditto - although the breeder had Lola in mind for us - probable coz she things shes and acts like a little princess and we were looking for one to spoil! Lol She came running when we went to see the puppies like we were her long lost parents!!!!!

 

[x19er]

The puppy has always chosen us. Our first boxer boy ran into the room, straight to my DH, tried to get on his knee then dashed off to try and pull the curtains off the window

Dino started to play with me straight away and then followed me right to the door as if he wanted to come home with me there and then so that was that!

 

[shastadaisy]

We knew we wanted to have a girl, reason being I thought they'd might mature a little quicker and be like another "mommy" for when we started having human babies. Protecting, gentle, and such. We also wanted a fawn. We went to the breaders of a litter of fawn and brindle pups. They were all over the place excited and my DH endend up falling for the brindle with the small white stripe down her forehead. I actually fell for the runt of the litter a boy fawn who simply came over and crawled into my lap and feel asleep while his brothers and sisters were going crazy all around him (and on top of him) as they were getting to me for my attention. But for us the female was the first must have, so we got the brindle. Shasta is daddy's girl and a bit of a Tom Boy so it's like having the best of both worlds. Though I wish we could have brought both of them home. We are planning on getting a boy from the Boxer Rescue when Shasta is at least a year old.