Choosing Your Puppy

Choosing a puppy can be intensely emotional. You may instinctively be drawn to the underdog, the sad littermate that cowers and is trampled by its brothers and sisters.

Or taken by the pup with the waggiest tail and broadest personality; the little tyke that barks at you when you try to examine it. When making your final selection from the litter do so on the basis of the puppy's physical and apparent appearance.

Investigate the breeder, the puppy's parents, and the puppy before making your choice. Breeders should willingly let you see the mother, but do not expect to see the father.

Good breeders go outside their kennels for fathers. The puppies should also be housed in hygienic surroundings and have plenty of obvious contact with people.