Picking your puppy, part two: individual differences

Beyond picking what breed of puppy you want, it's equally important to study your specific prospective puppy for individual characteristics. It never fails to surprise me what a wide range of personalities exist in each litter I come into contact with. Since dogs are pack animals, there is often a dominant puppy. The dominant puppy will act and react differently, and sometimes more aggressively, than the others...and can act totally differently when it's only with humans than when it's with its siblings or other dogs.

On the other hand, exceedingly submissive or physically inferior puppies also have behaviors that should be watched and dealt with to prevent problems from developing.

Also, each puppy has its own physical make-up. I had one litter of puppies that were labrador and border collie mixes. All three were extremely well-behaved, but one seemed to lag in size. This smallest puppy was, at the same time, extraordinarily smart and loving. It turned out that that puppy had a congenital heart defect, a valve didn't close as it should. Luckily, for that puppy there were special funds put aside for rescued puppies just like him. However, the family that adopted him had to understand that this puppy would have to have annual exams to monitor his heart. He was matched with a family that had no problem dealing with that requirement, and a little boy and girl who now have an amazing friend.

If you are picking from a litter or selecting from a pen of various puppies, spend time watching it carefully with the other puppies, with you alone and if possible, around other grown dogs. Talk to them, handle them, and ask for any background information that might be available. Don't let yourself be pressured into taking a puppy because "there won't be anymore like this ever." This much I know is true. There will always be plenty of breeders and unfortunately, there will always be new rescued puppies available. Practicing a little self-control and choosing not to take a puppy that seems 95% right but something doesn't quite mesh will benefit you both in the long run.