Picking a puppy out of the litter? Personality differences? Thoughts?

[Sim and Fonzie]

I got a choice to pick between two puppies who had very different personalities. One is adventurous and playful while the other was sweet and cautious. I picked the sweet calm puppy and the breeder said that he just needed reassurance in new situations.
I've heard that a shy puppy could grow into a fearful aggressive dog? I plan on early socialization but was curious to hear everyone's thoughts.
Here is the video link that has both puppies and you can clearly see the difference in there personalities.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PVHbhuCzfp8

[Julie, Eloise & Beasley]

I think you made a good choice, too.  The "cautious" puppy may even seem more calm by comparison, with the adventurous other puppy zooming all over the place.  :)  My Eloise was the most calm of the girls in her litter...I would have described her as cautious and sweet.  All dogs are different, but Eloise has always been ridiculously friendly and not at all fearful or aggressive.  She's an observer.  My dogsitter calls her one of the "good girls" who stands by and watches the other dogs rough-house.  (Believe me, she has her crazy, rough-housing moments, too - and as a puppy, frequently went from calm to maniac in a split second.)  She likes to take her time observing and figuring out, but has no problem joining in the fun. 

However, a cuddle bug, she was not!  At least not as a puppy, anyway.  She's always been independent, and cuddled on her own terms when she was younger, lol.  But she's become much more of a cuddler now that puppyhood is behind us. She's my sweet, calm girl - she's my heart dog, for sure.  I think it's great that you said it felt like it was meant to be...I bet it was. :)  Looking forward to more pictures when you get your puppy!

[Jennifer Tramell]

I think it is VERY important to choose a puppy based on personality, however, I've noticed something interesting.  Recently we were watching old family videos which included our Cody and Dixie dogs.  Cody was a golden retriever/collie pound puppy and Dixie was a German shepherd mix puppy found in the middle of the road.  I now have 3 goldendoodles, one who I've known since birth (I know the breeder).  Here's the interesting part: Cody and Dixie were acting just like Webster and Charlotte (the goldendoodles). 

Over the past 20 years, we've had 5 dogs with amazingly similar personalities yet completely different backgrounds.  I have come to conclude that the personality of an adult dog is greatly influenced by the family who raises the puppy.   I have also discovered that the personality of a puppy in the litter can change once he/she gets in a different environment.  If the pup has been bullied by littermates but then joins a family where he/she is the "boss", suddenly your sweetie becomes a tyrant!

 Make your choice based on wise judgment and gut feeling but then raise your puppy with the adult in mind.  You want a calm adult dog, encourage calm interaction with your puppy.  You want a respectful adult, require your puppy to treat you with respect.  I think you'll do great with either puppy as long as you raise him intentionally :-)  Just my 2 cents!

[BG and Gavin]

"Raise him intentionally" I love this. I am always telling my students to do things with intention.

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

When I was picking out my dog I asked for the calmest one in the little so naturally I think you picked the right one. On that note I think I have put in a lot of extra effort to socialize him properly especially when we are in crowed areas because as a puppy he was very timid. Now he is more of the observe then react which is what I wanted so I think if you keep that puppy socialized things should be great! I think it was worth it though to have the good personality that I was looking for. Good luck!

[Sim and Fonzie]

Thanks Jessica! I always wanted a calmer dog but started to doubt myself when I read that a reserved puppy can grow upto be aggressive. I'm starting to realize that it really depends on how much I work with him and socialize him. It really helps to hear about everyone's experiences.

[Carol Cornwell]

Just curiousness, I am going to see the litter from which I will be picking our puppy in two weeks, #5 of 7!  How did your puppy turn out?  :)  I tend to agree that the time YOU spend with her counts lots!  My sweet older Golden was a tough guy as a pup, but really has grown to be a fantastic adult., who we absolutely adore!    Hopefully he will set a great example for his puppy sister, Australian Labradoodle.  Thank you for sharing!