Baby Pup Personality - YorkieTalk.com Forums

roxynfritz · 03-26-2008, 07:04 AM

Is it possible to tell differences in personality between puppies of the same litter who are about 5 days old? The breeder is asking me to pre-select my pup since I have first choice.

All pups are male. I want a dog that is not ridiculously shy and also not going to hump everything in sight (if you believe in dominance, I guess not the super-alpha type).

Also, do personalities run in doggie families? They are from the same family as my other Yorkie

linda44 · 03-26-2008, 07:55 AM

You know when they are your puppies, if you spend alot of time with your dogs, you can tell the difference in personalities early on, but for someone outside the home to choose at that age, geez, I couldnt do it.

roxynfritz · 03-26-2008, 07:57 AM

So then it should help that the breeder will be there and I can ask her questions! Thanks Linda! I'm nervous, I've never been around a puppy that small before.

JaLaYorkieGirl · 03-26-2008, 09:19 AM

We do not even let people come and see puppies before they are 8 weeks old and vet checked let alone have someone pick one out. No deposit is even accepted before then either. IMO having buyers choose a puppy at this age is just greedy of the breeder. They really do not have their personalities shining through yet...heck their eyes are not even open and they can not walk yet. We do see some personality traits of parents in puppies, but they usually get a little of both and sometimes are not like either of their parents...just depends on the genes and how they are raised.

roxynfritz · 03-26-2008, 09:35 AM

jala- I am a bit concerned, not gonna lie. This isn't a backyard breeder or anything- she's reputable...I just feel like she's trying to force me to leave the tail long (she wants to dock them tomorrow but only mine, because I mentioned that was my preference) at the expense of a choice- at the same time the pups are guaranteed health-wise- which seems contradictory to me (what if the docked pup has health problems...does the guarantee go away and I'm left with nothing)?

I'm already in with a down payment...and all this is being sprung on me now at the last minute.

I'm going to go and get a better sense of how she feels about docking- I am tempted to tell her that I won't pick one out today at the expense of the docking (and then I'd just leave the tail long).

I don't know what's more important (1) a choice or (2) the tail.
Our past dog was docked- I can't understand why she is doing this.

KathyinCali · 03-26-2008, 10:32 AM

Well, Lucy chose me. Personally I couldn't have committed before getting a chance to play with them. What I did get when I made my deposit was first choice once Lucy's and her littermates was ready to be seen. I'm so glad I saw them because there was one little boy that was SO hyper he would not have been a fit for me...Best of luck

EmrldShdwQueen · 03-26-2008, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaLaYorkieGirl

We do not even let people come and see puppies before they are 8 weeks old and vet checked let alone have someone pick one out. No deposit is even accepted before then either. IMO having buyers choose a puppy at this age is just greedy of the breeder. They really do not have their personalities shining through yet...heck their eyes are not even open and they can not walk yet. We do see some personality traits of parents in puppies, but they usually get a little of both and sometimes are not like either of their parents...just depends on the genes and how they are raised.

Wow, I agree.

That seems sketchy to MAKE you pick when they're 5 days old!!!

I do take deposits after they're born, BUT it is for "first pick" "second pick" etc. And the first pick person has until they're 12 weeks old to pick a baby...they usually want to come right after they've had their first shot around 8 weeks to pick theirs out, but that's their choice.

If you've already put down a deposit I would stall her as long as I could and just not choose.

Give up on the tail if that's the other option. A tail can be docked when the dog is neutered...but undocked tails are precious as well...

trini&coco · 03-26-2008, 11:58 AM

You are caught between a rock and a hard place...I understand you can choose any pup, when they are older and not docked or you can choose your pup now at 5 days old and have it docked now but it is your pup since it's docked...hmmmm...well, I like mine docked...I would go choose and do my best to go with my gut feeling. Every Yorkie is special and wonderful and I am sure you will love your baby once he is home.

I also agree it is too early for her to be placing pups but to each his/her own...

If you feel uncomfortable and pressured, perhaps you might want to change breeders and see if due to the circumstances she will give you your deposit back. Even if she is a wonderful breeder, not everyone is for eveyone and I think you should definately feel 100% comfortable and un-pressured by your breeder...JMHO

JaLaYorkieGirl · 03-26-2008, 12:01 PM

Full tails can be kinda fun, I know they are not standard but if I had to choose between picking a baby at 5 days or a full tail...then I would take the tail.

My Espe is from Europe and she has the cutest darn full tail!
Here is a picture of her...a little rough from playing outside and a wee bit wind blown..lol.

Sugar's Mom · 03-26-2008, 02:02 PM

I almost didn't dock my tails the other day but since I am hoping to have a showw prospect from this litter, I went on and did it. I also do not let anyone come near my puppies until they have had at least one shot. I also would never ask anyone to pay a deposit on a five day old pup. On the other hand, they can dock tails later if you decide on one with a long tail and you want it docked. Some vets use Laser now to do that.

MrsPeanut · 04-02-2008, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmrldShdwQueen

Wow, I agree.

That seems sketchy to MAKE you pick when they're 5 days old!!!

I do take deposits after they're born, BUT it is for "first pick" "second pick" etc. And the first pick person has until they're 12 weeks old to pick a baby...they usually want to come right after they've had their first shot around 8 weeks to pick theirs out, but that's their choice.

If you've already put down a deposit I would stall her as long as I could and just not choose.

Give up on the tail if that's the other option. A tail can be docked when the dog is neutered...but undocked tails are precious as well...

Absolutely well said, great advice....I would do the same thing. She may be reputable as you say, but a reputable breeder isnt trying to make money because you cant really make money on breeding, you usually break even or are in the hole. (LIKE ME) in the hole...hehe...anyways, sounds like she has dollar signs in her eyes and that is all she cares about. SO...if you are still wanting one from her STALL STALL STALL away....unless you have already done it by the time I post this cause I havent read the whole post yet.

MrsPeanut · 04-02-2008, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaLaYorkieGirl

Full tails can be kinda fun, I know they are not standard but if I had to choose between picking a baby at 5 days or a full tail...then I would take the tail.

My Espe is from Europe and she has the cutest darn full tail!
Here is a picture of her...a little rough from playing outside and a wee bit wind blown..lol.

I agree sometimes tails can be really cute.....its all up to the person...but hey your dog looks mighty perty with a tail...hehe.

roxynfritz · 04-03-2008, 11:02 AM

UPDATE- The breeder didn't make us pick at all. She had them all docked instead after I spoke to her for only 2 minutes. Her husband (the co-breeder) said she was being silly. Phew. This litter isn't intended to be for show so she debated not docking them, which is why it was an issue in the first place. I still get first choice whenever I want after 9 weeks.

MrsPeanut · 04-03-2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roxynfritz

UPDATE- The breeder didn't make us pick at all. She had them all docked instead after I spoke to her for only 2 minutes. Her husband (the co-breeder) said she was being silly. Phew. This litter isn't intended to be for show so she debated not docking them, which is why it was an issue in the first place. I still get first choice whenever I want after 9 weeks.

YAY....what a relief. Well you still get best of both worlds.....tail and first pick of any pup. Let us know how when you get your pup cant wait to see pics and watch him/her grow up....

JaLaYorkieGirl · 04-12-2008, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roxynfritz

UPDATE- The breeder didn't make us pick at all. She had them all docked instead after I spoke to her for only 2 minutes. Her husband (the co-breeder) said she was being silly. Phew. This litter isn't intended to be for show so she debated not docking them, which is why it was an issue in the first place. I still get first choice whenever I want after 9 weeks.

Well I am happy to hear you get to wait to pick out your baby! It will be a much more fun experience at that age!!!

03-26-2008, 07:04 AM	#1
roxynfritz Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 35	Baby Pup Personality Is it possible to tell differences in personality between puppies of the same litter who are about 5 days old? The breeder is asking me to pre-select my pup since I have first choice. All pups are male. I want a dog that is not ridiculously shy and also not going to hump everything in sight (if you believe in dominance, I guess not the super-alpha type). Also, do personalities run in doggie families? They are from the same family as my other Yorkie

03-26-2008, 09:19 AM	#4
JaLaYorkieGirl YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 815	We do not even let people come and see puppies before they are 8 weeks old and vet checked let alone have someone pick one out. No deposit is even accepted before then either. IMO having buyers choose a puppy at this age is just greedy of the breeder. They really do not have their personalities shining through yet...heck their eyes are not even open and they can not walk yet. We do see some personality traits of parents in puppies, but they usually get a little of both and sometimes are not like either of their parents...just depends on the genes and how they are raised. __________________ ~ Jackie ~ JaLa Yorkshire Terriers ~ "Quality is never an accident..." Last edited by JaLaYorkieGirl; 03-26-2008 at 09:21 AM. Reason: spelling

03-26-2008, 10:32 AM	#6
KathyinCali Love My Li'l Lucy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,640	Well, Lucy chose me. Personally I couldn't have committed before getting a chance to play with them. What I did get when I made my deposit was first choice once Lucy's and her littermates was ready to be seen. I'm so glad I saw them because there was one little boy that was SO hyper he would not have been a fit for me...Best of luck __________________ Kathy and Lil' Lucy Buster and Jammies Member of the Spoiled Rotten Club

03-26-2008, 11:58 AM	#8
trini&coco Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,320	You are caught between a rock and a hard place...I understand you can choose any pup, when they are older and not docked or you can choose your pup now at 5 days old and have it docked now but it is your pup since it's docked...hmmmm...well, I like mine docked...I would go choose and do my best to go with my gut feeling. Every Yorkie is special and wonderful and I am sure you will love your baby once he is home. I also agree it is too early for her to be placing pups but to each his/her own... If you feel uncomfortable and pressured, perhaps you might want to change breeders and see if due to the circumstances she will give you your deposit back. Even if she is a wonderful breeder, not everyone is for eveyone and I think you should definately feel 100% comfortable and un-pressured by your breeder...JMHO __________________ Shayley Pixie Gracie Coco Trini and Their Family We wub, wub, wub YT Last edited by trini&coco; 03-26-2008 at 12:01 PM.

03-26-2008, 02:02 PM	#10
Sugar's Mom Donating YT 7000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 7,177	I almost didn't dock my tails the other day but since I am hoping to have a showw prospect from this litter, I went on and did it. I also do not let anyone come near my puppies until they have had at least one shot. I also would never ask anyone to pay a deposit on a five day old pup. On the other hand, they can dock tails later if you decide on one with a long tail and you want it docked. Some vets use Laser now to do that. __________________ www.deeslilyorkshireterriers.com

03-26-2008, 07:55 AM	#2
linda44 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: napa Posts: 1,358	You know when they are your puppies, if you spend alot of time with your dogs, you can tell the difference in personalities early on, but for someone outside the home to choose at that age, geez, I couldnt do it.

03-26-2008, 07:57 AM	#3
roxynfritz Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 35	So then it should help that the breeder will be there and I can ask her questions! Thanks Linda! I'm nervous, I've never been around a puppy that small before.

03-26-2008, 09:35 AM	#5
roxynfritz Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 35	jala- I am a bit concerned, not gonna lie. This isn't a backyard breeder or anything- she's reputable...I just feel like she's trying to force me to leave the tail long (she wants to dock them tomorrow but only mine, because I mentioned that was my preference) at the expense of a choice- at the same time the pups are guaranteed health-wise- which seems contradictory to me (what if the docked pup has health problems...does the guarantee go away and I'm left with nothing)? I'm already in with a down payment...and all this is being sprung on me now at the last minute. I'm going to go and get a better sense of how she feels about docking- I am tempted to tell her that I won't pick one out today at the expense of the docking (and then I'd just leave the tail long). I don't know what's more important (1) a choice or (2) the tail. Our past dog was docked- I can't understand why she is doing this.

04-03-2008, 11:02 AM	#13
roxynfritz Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 35	UPDATE- The breeder didn't make us pick at all. She had them all docked instead after I spoke to her for only 2 minutes. Her husband (the co-breeder) said she was being silly. Phew. This litter isn't intended to be for show so she debated not docking them, which is why it was an issue in the first place. I still get first choice whenever I want after 9 weeks.