Opinions Appreciated On My Choices!

[Christie and Jake]

Here are my five boys at 4 weeks of age.  I have been told that they are all very sweet and loving.  I was told that Hayden was a little bit shy right now but the breeder is working with him and giving him extra attention and he's coming around.  My daughter and I both have allergies which is what led us to a doodle.  She is turning 13 in a couple of weeks so I'm sure you can imagine that our home is not a quiet one.  There is always something going on.  Just wondering what your thoughts are about my choices.

Thank You, Christie

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I think Hayden is the cutest, but go on personality and the breeders recommendation as to which would suit your lifestyles and personalities. As you have chosen a golden doodle theres no guarantee that the dog wont shed, (you would have been better with and Australian Labradoodle) so go on your breeders recommendation to the shedding too.

[Christie and Jake]

I actually started out looking at Australian Labradoodle's but fell in love with a breeding before this one.  It was the same Father but a Sister of this Mother Doodle.  It didn't work out for us to get a male out of that breeding so we waited for the sister dog who looks almost identical and was bred to the same male.  The breeder has told me that they won't shed.  They are F2B Fleece Coats.  I'm ok with a hair here or there.  I am agreeing with all of you and will depend heavily on the breeder to guide our choice.  Thanks So Much!

[Christie and Jake]

Well Hollywood picked us! He walked right up to my daughter and crawled in her lap! I think they will be best buddies. It was so hard to leave him! Thanks everyone for all the wonderful advice. I really think Fate took control. Wish I could figure out how to add pictures!

[F, Calla & Luca]

So glad, he is adorable.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Harris would definitely be the one for me since he already has my name on him!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Wowzer are they cute!!!!  Thanks for this "puppy fix"!!!  Other than just saying how cute they are I have nothing to add other than listen to the experts here - they'll help guide you!  Can't wait to see which one ends up being yours.

[L.M.]

I would ask the breeder about their coat type.  The curlier they are, the less likely you will feel your allergies to them.  If they have a smoother, straighter coat, they are a lot more likely to shed.  

I'm kind of partial to the little red guy, Houston =)  Hayden looks pretty curly tho, so he might be good option for your allergies.  They are all extremely handsome.  

[Jane Smith]

I vote Harris or Houston.  I too would be leary of the timid one.  Lucy is 2 and we are still working on that issue.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

I agree to wait as long as possible (at least 7weeks) to do some temperament testing & choose based on that.  They're all cute!  I also would not necessarily go for the "shy" one.  IMO - shy equates to fear which could mean the pup would grow to not be able to be included in your activities like you would want.  I also would not worry or care (I don't mean to be rude) about other people waiting on me to decide.  This is an important decision, so if you have to be a little selfish, so be it.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I want everyone of these adorable babies!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

It's impossible to confidently choose at five weeks for personality and I see lot of breeders insisting on early choosing in posts here on Dk.  All of them are adorable looking so I wish you the best of luck.  Lets hope that fate plays a hand and you get the perfect puppy.

My breeder chose for me based on what I wanted and would not make the decision until 7 (long ) weeks.  She was 100% right in her choice as Riley has fit right in to our family.   Perhaps your breeder has been watching these guys and may have some indications to give you though they are still very young.  Do you HAVE to choose now and did you know that when you entered into the contract?

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Nicky stole the words right out of my mouth.  I have also seen that many breeders are insisting that people choose (I'm assuming you have 1st pick???) at an earlier than optimal age.  I don't understand the rush.  It seems to me that people should be more concerned about everyone getting the right puppy for them.  Since they don't go home until 8 weeks (I'm assuming), I don't understand why people can't at least wait 7 weeks to choose. 

With that being said, I did go & observe & do temperament testing on Bexter & his littermates at 5 weeks & almost 7 weeks.  I observed & scored them both times.  I ranked the pups in order from my 1st choice to my 4th choice (of boys).  When looking at the rankings after the 2nd visit, I realized that my rankings did not change at all and my opinion of the pups' personalities did not change at all (with the exception of one puppy; he was more social the 2nd time, but he was still only my 3rd favorite out of 4).  So...if you try to do some temperament testing or talk with the breeder, I suppose hopefully it is likely that whatever their personalities are now will stay consistent to what they would have been at 7 weeks.  It's just that with you paying so much money & this is such an important decision (a member of the family) I would want to take as much time as possible to get it right.  You will obviously love whatever pup you get & will think he/she is adorable no matter what.  But, I believe this decision is very important.  I would discuss your concerns with the breeder & make the best choice you can.  Good luck and let us know!