Help Please! Need advice on 3 week old pups, Breeder forcing me to make my pick now

[Gumbo and Ashley]

These standard Goldendoodle pups are almost 3 weeks old. Breeder who lives in Ohio (I live in Louisiana) is forcing me to make my pick early (I have first pick)  even tho her website clearly states picks will be at 6 weeks old. I am upset bc I don't feel at 3 weeks old I can even tell what they will look like or what their personalities be like.  So I'm asking for some guidance here.  Here are the 3 boys that am picking from.  PLEASE let me know if your now adult dog looked like any of these as a baby. I know its a long shot, but if breeder is forcing me to make my pick this early, I want to do as much research as I can as to other dogs that looked like them at 3 weeks and what they look like grown up. So PLEASE, if you have a Goldendoodle that looked alot like any of these pups.  PLEASE post a pic of what they look like now. Mostly interested in color and face shape, size etc.... These pups are all approx 2 1/2 lbs at 3 weeks.  Anybody out there know what their Goldendoodle weighed at 3 weeks? Just trying to see if these will be large dogs or average?? This is my first pet purchase OF MY LIFE, (and I'm 35 years old!!).  I want to get this right. It's like adopting a child, taking this very seriously. Any advice appreciated!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

IMO three weeks is too early to choose. It's not looks that are the most important thing, it's health and temperament. You can't possibly know at this stage.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Absolutely right.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

I agree also. No way to know temperament this early. A good breeder would be interested in your being able to choose the right puppy for your circumstances. What's the rush?

[Gumbo and Ashley]

Exactly. There shouldnt be a rush right?  So in her email, she just worded it like this... "Please let me know ASAP as to which boy you will take. The second deposit people are stopping out here Friday and if they can't get the one they want, they will switch over to the litter coming due. Since there is quite a difference in the red coloring of these...I kind of need to know ahead of the 6 week age time frame."       Ok, this is very funny to me bc, she is basically saying the reds are all so different, so I need to pick now?? Yea lady, duh, and In 3 more weeks they are going to look and be even MORE different!  The exact reason WHY I WANT TO WAIT to make my choice and make sure it is the right one.   I wonder if I can just refuse to pick, what would she do? I already put deposit down $400.  I don't think she really could do anything, she wouldn't give someone else the pup I'm leaning towards. She knows before pups were born that I wanted a red one and then I expressed interest in the darkest one. but I don't want to be held to that, it's just the color I prefer. First pick means first pick, no matter what color I told her I was interested in. I could change my mind and go with one of the blonde ones if I wanted, bc I was first deposit. Anyway, I told her how I felt and thought it was only fair to wait before choosing. Waiting on her response. thanks for advice!

Read more here: http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/help-please-need-advice-on...

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Ashley,  have you visited the DK page about how to choose a breeder?  It might be a good idea for you to look it over and see how your breeder lines up if you have not already done so.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/notes/What_To_Look_for_In_a_Breeder

Tara's breeder would in NO way allow me to make a choice at that age in fact SHE was the one who evaluated temperament and selected a puppy that matched my household (I had first choice too which just meant that she chose for me first). She did this at 6 weeks and if she didn't feel that a puppy matched me I wouldn't have gotten one.  See the difference? 

You're correct that your puppy is in fact a new family member and if you are fortunate he/she will be a huge part of your life for many, many years.  You are wise to be hesitant and I feel that your breeder is bordering on unethical in trying to force you into a decision, especially since her/his own web site indicates you can choose at 6 weeks. It's not like you get a "do over" if you choose poorly. 

Have you asked her why the hurry? Would you consider another breeder?  This is throwing up red flags for me. ;(

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I agree-what's the rush.  It's raising my suspicions as well, but I can't figure out why the breeder would do this. 

[Gumbo and Ashley]

Thanks so much. She said bc the second in line person was coming to look at the pups (and I'm guessing is interested in the one I want, the dark red). So she just worded it like this... "Please let me know ASAP as to which boy you will take. The second deposit people are stopping out here Friday and if they can't get the one they want, they will switch over to the litter coming due. Since there is quite a difference in the red coloring of these...I kind of need to know ahead of the 6 week age time frame."       Ok, this is very funny to me bc, she is basically saying the reds are all so different, so I need to pick now?? Yea lady, duh, and In 3 more weeks they are going to look and be even MORE different!  The exact reason WHY I WANT TO WAIT to make my choice. Geeez...  fyi I put down non refundable deposit of $400 on this puppy so I'm locked in with her. I just want to make sure she doesn't promise any certain pup to anyone before I get to make my choice. I don't know if I have the right to just "not pick" until 6 weeks?  Or if I pick at 6 weeks and she tell me the one I wanted was picked already.  How would that even be right when I have first pick? It doesn't seem right.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

So shes saying that because the second deposit people are coming by friday, this now becomes YOUR problem and you need to pick one sooner, to suit THEIR needs? Ahhhh...NO! Sorry Miss Breeder, I was expecting to pick at 6 weeks as stated in my deposit agreement/website and this is too important a decision to be rushed into to accomdate others. She is as locked into the agreement as you are, so if you don;t decide now, you should still retain first pick of all 3 boys. She CAN'T promise any certain pup to the second pick people IMHO.
Im sorry Mr and Mrs Second Choice that your need to know does not coincide with my time frame, but that's what happens when you are 2nd choice.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I agree totally with Sue. It sounds like the breeder is more interested in selling puppies than in finding them an appropriate home.  If she wants to break the agreement of you having first choice at 6 weeks  she should offer to refund your deposit (or you should ask for a refund of your deposit). She can't have it both ways...

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

That sounds like a reasonable expectation of the breeder if she wants to break the agreement. Ashley, I urge you to talk to your breeder and express your concerns over this unacceptable request.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Agreed.  6 weeks is standard. I had my eye on Peri since our 2 week visit, but breeder would not allow selections until 6 weeks...

Please talk to breeder and explain your concerns. A good breeder would not be doing this in my humble opinion.

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

I agree! 

I hope you are able to talk with the breeder and have your concerns heard. Everyone has given great responses.