Quote:
Originally Posted by Nancy1999  I see nothing wrong with this, but isn't it hard to evaluate a puppy? I look at the buying of a dog differently than most people; I look it more as supporting a breeder than buying a dog. The difference is, once I find a breeder whose program I admire, I believe that any of her dogs will make a great pet. It's not important to me that Joey meets standard, I think he does, but I would have loved him the same even if he didn't. I'm supporting his breeder because that's the type of breeder, I'd like to see breeding, and that's the type of breeder who will ensure that healthy yorkies who look like yorkies are around 100 years from now. |
Evaluating puppies isn't an exact science, but some things do become apparent by the time they are old enough to be placed. Though things can go off in what you would think is an ideal pup and some can do the ugly duckling/swan thing, I'm constantly evaluating my pups and do my best at assessing their virtues and faults. Without evaluating, how would one know what to keep to continue their program and which ones to place? That last point is kind of obvious, I know, but included it since it's so central for a breeder in realizing their goals.
I know that with Bonnie's and Roger's first litter I held all the pups back until they were 9 months old. I had high hopes for the litter but wanted to see with my own eyes just how they developed and matured. By that age, I was confident in knowing how they would turn out. By that time, their skulls and structure were largely set, the coat had come in enough to see...size and temperament were apparent, etc.. Though they weren't fully mature, I had a pretty good handle on what they would become.
Now, I'm not saying to hold all your pups to that age but it was critical info for me at that time since Bonnie and Roger are key to what I'm trying to accomplish.