Official "Pick" of the Litter Discussion

[Jess & Stewart]

Hi Everyone!

 

I was just looking through the introductions discussion and Whitney inspired me to make an "official" pick of the litter discussion.

 

I'm in a total pickle of a situation; I'm on various lists for litters (F1 & F1B goldendoodles) from my breeder. One female (F1 goldendoodle, so F1B doodle pups) is currently in heat and they'll begin breeding this week, so estimated timeframe is born October, ready just before Christmas. If I pass on this litter, I'll be waiting a long time for this female's next heat (she cycles every 9-10 months, instead of every 6 and the breeder might skip the next heat). Both litters will be the same breeding pair, which I adore. I'm currently #5 on both litters, all 4 individuals above me are on both litters as well, so if they pass on the current litter for any reason, I move up, but stay #5 for next litter. Same scenario if I pass and they take puppies from this litter, I'll move up for the next litter.

 

SO, after that lengthy discussion (hope you all are still with me and not asleep!), my question is about getting to be the first pick. I'm the first to admit I'm a total Aspie and I know what type of personality and look I'm looking for (Shaggy, not too curly goldendoodle, my mother jokes it's because I'm from NJ and we're all concerned about hair!), and I'm very stuck on that, so in all honesty I would like to be as close to the top pick. I am open to gender, but secretly am hoping to find a male with these characteristics, as I've always wanted a male dog and have had "his" name picked out since I knew what a dog was.

 

Any suggestions as to this dilemma over litters and which "pick" I am. Any of you either first or last, that could share any advice?

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Wow, that's going to be hard to do. Choosing from 8, my head would be spinning. Good luck and have fun!

[Tina McNerthney]

That's a lot of pups to choose from. I'll get to choose from 4 or 5, depending on if breeder chooses one. You will have fun and you will know your pup when you meet him or her...

Though this won't be your first labradoodle, I look forward to hearing your puppy tales!

[Stephanie and Ragley]

I looked up simple temperament testing "exercises" to do with the puppies I was choosing from. I chose from 7 so it was quite the task (though Ragley and I sort of had already picked each other when we met at 3 weeks old)! The breeder should be able to guide you also as long as you stay true to the kind of temperament you want! They are ALL adorable so you have to just take cuteness out of the equation! Can't wait to meet little Kona!!!

[Tina McNerthney]

I did the same thing, Stephanie. I will do a few temperament testing exercises with all the puppies (even including the girls, because I don't want to be close minded). I know that these exercises are not necessarily predictive of how the puppy will be as an adult, as so much has to do with good training and reinforcement, but I hope they can provide a general sense of the pup's personality and how he feels about us! I'll definitely look to the breeder for guidance, too, as they'll have a much better familiarity with the pups.

This is fun!

[Stephanie and Ragley]

Yes it is! I did mine mainly to determine how the puppies reacted to new stressors- reaction to loud noise, being turned on back, being suspended a couple inches off ground, etc. I knew I wanted to do therapy work with Ragley so having a dog that reacted well to stress was a must! 

[Tina McNerthney]

Hi everyone, Here is a photo of mama Stella and her litter at two days old. She ended up having 5 instead of the anticipated 6 pups - one got absorbed which is pretty common. I'd like a male. There are three males. One is chocolate, one is black and the other is apricot. I look forward to posting more photos of what the pups look like in a few weeks when I'm ready to choose to get folks opinions on what coats might look like.

Aren't they cute. In less than 8 weeks, we'll bring one home! Yay.

[Stephanie and Ragley]

so precious!

[Kim and Jaxson]

beautiful babies

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

That is so exciting. I know I looked online at the puppy pictures over and over everyday.
Won't be long now, the puppies are born!!! Save these pictures you get of the puppies,
You will enjoy seeing the transformation.

[c zoomer]

What a blessing these emails about puppy picking are. This is what I was searching for.  I've also been waiting a year, and looking at puppy pictures every day.  My only surprise is that there are not more posts...a page per year is not a lot, since there aren't that many per page.

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

What a lot of emotional turmoil to go through.   Would not wish that on anyone and am so glad you are getting your special Labradoodle.  What you went through to find her makes her even more special and you even a more special mom to her.

Hurley was chosen for us by the breeder after we filled out an extensive questionnaire.  We told her the color, size, type of coat and sex. She then picked the puppy with the temperament that best suited our environment.  She was right on.