We found a breeder and have put down a deposit. It's been a long wait, but we started the process so early that we will get first pick in the litter. Now I'm wondering how we will decide which puppy we want. We know we want a female (there are 3 to choose from), but are there specific things we should look for? We will visit at about 5 weeks and will pick her up around 8 weeks. The only thing I've heard is that very timid/scared puppies might be a red flag. This will be a family pet, so we just want a social, friendly puppy, but maybe not extremely hyper. Are there normally significant differences in temperament in such young puppies? Any other red flags we should know about? Thanks!

If you found a great breeder, I would look for his/her guidance in selecting the pup as the breeder is with the pups from the moment they're born til the time they go home. Also, I've seen with the reputable breeders on this forum, puppy selection doesn't occur until 7-8 weeks to allow the personality to come out. Best of luck with your new pup!

So glad you asked this! Can't wait to hear what people say....

We are planning on getting a golden puppy for our family late spring and our plan is to let the breeder pick the dog out for us. My opinion is that she will know the puppies best and what to look for for our needs (family pet and potential therapy dog.)

Congratualtions on the new puppy... post pictures when you get her

With Brooks, we got to visit the pups numerous times leading up to Gotcha Day at 8 weeks. Our breeder was fantastic about this and it gave us a chance to see them develop. The week prior to our pick-up, there was a final play day where everyone was invited to their home and that's when we selected our puppy. She had them all evaluated for temperament and from our visits, it also allowed her to gauge which pup she thought would be the best fit for us. Everyone listed their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice, and surprisingly enough, no one picked the same puppy as their first choice. I knew that Brooks was going to be ours from the first visit, but my husband was set on another puppy. Since our last Golden was a momma's boy to the core, I decided to let him pick. After numerous visits, he too realized that this boy was more suited to our lifestyle, and the rest is history.

If you can visit them a few times, I would highly recommend it. It will help in your decision and it is really neat to see them develop their little personalities. Or big personalities in our case.

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Kisamore Gold Gloves Brooks

I agree with this. Give your breeder a lot of information about what you see yourself doing in the future with this puppy and what your lifestyle and expectations are and ask for their help. Nobody will spend more time with or know the puppies personalities better than the breeder who has raised them for the first 8 weeks. Is your breeder keeping one? They should really be keeping close notes on the puppies to decide for themselves and that should help you.

Have fun!

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Ellie and Mack
http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=536873

Is the breeder local? I would visit as often as the breeder would allow. The puppies do change a lot from 5 weeks to 8 weeks.
Our Rose was outgoing and hard-headed from day 1 and she pretty much picked us. No matter how many times we put her down to look at the others she just kept on coming back. When we finally brought her home she acted as if she was born in our house.

With all 3 of our goldens, we did not have a choice as to which puppy we would get from either breeder. The breeder decided which one was the best fit for our family. We gave them detailed information about our life and what type of dog they are looking for. I realize it might seem like you have no control, BUT a really good breeder will be doing temperament testing starting 6-7 weeks of age. They will know which dog will fit with each family. It has never failed for us.

Unfortunately, we have a lab in our puppy class that is with an elderly couple. I can't believe that the breeder would send this dog home with this couple. It is extremely hyper and they have no control over it. When we have group training where we work with another dog, this dog's bite inhibition is awful - it drew blood on me several times. When the couple said to the class that they would rather have our puppy, it nearly broke my heart because I knew they were probably regretting their decision to get this particular dog.

So, with all that being said, let your breeder guide you to the perfect puppy. Good luck!

I have picked my puppy three different times, and each time there wasn't one that stuck out from the others. It was very hard, but I have never had any regrets on the one I chose. I am sure I would have been just as happy with any of them.

The breeder will know more than you can tell.

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We always picked our puppies (except Rose who picked us even though we had the first pick of the litter and Jack who also picked us as a mutt sitting on the side of the road looking cute despite all the flees and mange on him). Sometimes I do wonder about Rose, she is so so hard headed and so full of life and spike in her but also so sweet and gentle that it is almost impossible to come down on her. When she gets caught doing something wrong she goes under the bed or my nightstand and covers her nose. You ask her why she did it and she comes to you, pushes herself into you and loves you and you just simply forget what she did. My DH especially (who used to train dogs) now he is so so soft that it is almost impossible for me to train her. When she first chewed his shoe he just threw the shoe in the closed yelling "Dog, it is all MY fault", then she recently chewed his slippers while we were at the ER and he again said very calmly - "You cannot prove she did it!" even though she was under the bed covering her nose again with the chewed up slippers, the socks which initially were left inside the slippers and an entire toilet paper roll all around her.

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