Picking new puppy "pick of the litter" - only 3 days to pick?

[Alex]

Hello All!
We have been wanting to get lincoln a sibling for a long time and have finally decided on a sheepadoodle. We found a reputable breeder with great reviews. The litter is due in March and we put in a deposit to have pick of the litter. The breeder is giving us only 3 days after birth to pick our puppy. This seems incredibly fast to me as we won't know anything about the personality, etc. Is this common? The only reason I can think of is that some people request to have their puppy's tail docked which we WILL NOT be doing but if someone else does the breeder would need to dock it in the first few days. Is three days an accurate timeline for pick of the litter? Thank you!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Are their eyes even open at 3 days old?

I'm also thinking their noses wouldn't be fully pigmented at that age? New OES puppies often have pink or pink & black mottled noses at birth, and they don't fill in for awhile.  

[Ginny Nightingale]

No, eyes open at about 14 days and pigment comes in slowly--takes 4-6 weeks--here is a 2 day pic and a 6 week pic--same pup.

[Alex]

Hello All,

Thanks again for your help and pics. The good news is that where as goldendoodle coloring doesn't show up for a few weeks, sheepadoodles (which is what I am getting) have their markings from birth - I have confirmed this with multiple breeders. So I will know for sure whether mine will be black and white, all white or spots. The eyes will not be open but at least I will have a general idea of the markings she will have. I see the necessity of having to pick within 3 days now as all the others will have their tails docked (mind won't). Thanks again for the help!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The coat color/markings may be there from birth, but not the facial pigment: nose, lips, eye rims. 

[Alex]

That is super helpful thank you! 

[Frank & TeddyToyDoodle]

I put a deposit on my puppy and the choice was at about 5-6 weeks.  You were 1st or whatever on the boy list OR the girl list, not for both.

Choosing at less than 1 week is really rushed.  I didn't even see any pics until 2-3 weeks.

[Stella]

This breeder may be 'reputable' but a truly good breeder will actually select your pup for you. Good breeders spend so much time with their pups that they really know each pup well and are able to suitably match the pup with you and your family's lifestyle. To expect you to select a pup when it is only a few days old is ridiculous.