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05-09-2005, 12:26 PM | #1 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Central NY state
Posts: 1,741
| Evaluating puppies Hello everyone! This weekend I am going to meet a breeder and some of her puppies. What are some good tests I can do to evaluate the puppies? Thanks for the help!! Susan |
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05-09-2005, 01:32 PM | #2 |
BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,246
| Wow! Okay! Where to begin. Temperament: You have to decide what temperament you are looking for that will suit your lifestyle and your family. Do you want a hyper dog that is wild and lively all the time or do you want a calmer lap dog that likes to cuddle and is more on the quiet side? Then, you have to ask the breeder about the temperament of the parents and actually meet them both if possible to judge for yourself. Shy, timid dogs do not usually do well in most situations but most yorkies aren't shy by nature. The time you visit is important to because if they have just eten or are napping you won't be able to tell much. Looks:There is a lot of personal preference that comes into play here as well. If you are looking for a show dog or a dog for breeding you need tostudy the breed standard and sk the breeder which of the puppies has the most "show potential". Potential is all you can tell until a pup is 6 months or so. Straight topline, silky coat, right color, small ears that stand up, docked tail, etc., etc. If you are just looking for a pet then personal prefernece is all that matters.Do you want a tiny "blonde" and silver puppy with pixie features or do you want the "apple" head or the teddy bear face. A short snout is usually preferable to a long one. Most like short, cobby legs as opposed to long legs. You are basically looking for a proportiond quare where they are as long (shoulder to tail) as they are high (shoulder to floor). There are silky coats that is like human hair and doesn't mat easily and there is a cottony coat that mats easily. Hope this helps. I am sure others have more advice. Good luck! |
05-09-2005, 01:33 PM | #3 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2005 Location: Depends on the time of year, but almost always VA
Posts: 88
| Watch how the puppy acts with its parents and its littermates. If it is inquisitive and likes to play, that's a good sign. Also see how it will play with a human. Some general temperment tests I learned when my family raised guide dogs are to hold the puppy up- hold it under its tummy and let its legs hang. If it squirms a lot, it's okay. If it growls or snaps, it's too aggressive, and if it just looks sad and doesn't do anything, it may either be sick or it has a "soft" personality. Also, turn it over so it is lying on its back and hold it down lightly. Again, squirming is good. If it squirms a lot and yips, but then resigns or wriggles free, then that's a good sign. If it snaps or growls or tries to bite you, it's not a good sign. If it just lies there, it is sickly or a "soft" dog. Don't get me wrong- "Soft" dogs are just as good as dogs with a regular, good temperament. They're just a little more shy with a "softer" personality. The only possibly bad thing is that it may become passive aggressive. But if you get a puppy with a soft personality, when you're training it, treat it like a shy child or a child with easily-hurt feelings. You have to be gentler, but they can turn into some of the best dogs. |
05-09-2005, 01:34 PM | #4 |
Stewie Rox the Sox Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago
Posts: 6,306
| Susan, I think Kim gave you some good advice. I just wanted to say good luck with your puppy search. You'll just know when you see your future puppy
__________________ Kristy & Stewie |
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