How did you choose your dog? Or was it the dog who chose you? Are you happy with your choice?

[Camus]

I wonder how you guys chose your doodle? Did you have a chance to see and choose from several puppies or dogs observing them when playing and interacting with them? What were the signs that indicated you that that one was yours? Or did you just choose one by picture and couldn't see any personality in him yet? Did the breeder guide you? Are you happy with your choice? 

What is your opinion about PAT or Volhard test and other similar tests?

Choosing a puppy is as difficult as choosing a wife, isn't it? Or do I complicate things too much?

[Camus]

>I'd probably be happy with any of them. 

Right. Of course, we'd love any dog specially if you get a puppy. It's like a child. You accept it as it is. But doesn't it feel good to have a choice? I think it does. Congrats with your beautiful dogs and thanks for sharing your story! Photos of your dogs on the beach are great!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I should add my breeder did temperament testing. She thought the sister would be more mellow.  I didn't really care and REALLY wanted a social puppy who would be great with my chihuahua.  She is certainly SOCIAL.

[Stacy, Bruno, Molly and Gracie]

Our Bruno was the only golden doodle left and as soon as I spoke to the breeder I "knew". I feel like he was destined to be in our family and from the day he came home it was like he had always been here. I think God chose him for us!!!

[Camus]

I like your answer! Lucky you both. 

[Michael Gurley]

I simply chose from a picture on the internet, and I really regret my decision. I'm in love with Sunny, don't get me wrong... but the breeder turned out to be hiding a really bad operation. She wouldn't let me see the parents of my dog, and wouldn't even let me come see her breeding facility! I know this should have thrown up a red flag, but I was really gung ho about getting a puppy and the whole process only took about 24 hours from the decision to get a puppy to bringing home Sunny.

 

The breeder didn't even speak to me directly. She emailed me the contact information of her sister, who could not answer my questions. The puppy was at the sister's house with her 3 small children, and when I arrived to pick her up, the children carried her to me by her front paws! She was dangling, limp, and looked like she had totally given up. As soon as I scooped her up though, I knew I had made the right choice in a puppy because she snuggled into my arms and made a satisfied little sighing noise, and promptly fell asleep.

 

After deworming her 4 more times, her puppy energy came through and she never looked back!

 

The only things I looked for were 1) CUTENESS 2)Gender- I wanted a female so I could give tummy rubs without touching anything wet... I know, TMI and 3) Color- I wanted a light color for some reason.

 

I know that all my criteria were messed up because I should have searched for a puppy based on compatibility with my lifestyle, and the dog's personality, but I couldn't see that in photos, and I wanted a puppy right away. I'm so lucky that Sunny is perfect for me.

[Camus]

I really waited for this comment! Thank you, Michael. This is a very interesting story. I think I understand you very well.

I was desperate when I was looking for a puppy. I wanted and need one ASAP (long story to explain). But at the same time, I did a huge research and when I came across PAT and Volhard test, saw some examples, I understood how different puppies could be. After that, I had no more preferences about color and other things, I just cared about the right personality. We even changed our mind about gender at the last minute and got a boy instead of a girl b/c it was obvious that we weren't compatible with her. Camus is so different from my previous dog that I had for 15 years. I looked for that difference and I think I found it.  I hope we will live a long and happy life together. 

Good luck to you and Sunny!

[Linda Karell]

Fabulous profile picture.

 

I was on a waiting list:  I had requested a female, but there were only two in the litter and both were taken.  My breeder knew what I was looking for (gentle, somewhat submissive dog good for a first time dog owner).  At the 6 week point, the people who were going to take one of the girls chose a boy instead, so we got her sort of by default.  She turned out to be everything I asked for and more--I probably wouldn't have been able to make as good a choice on my own.  It helped greatly to have a breeder with solid experience.  (I don't know if she did temperament testing--but she knew her pups.  The video she sent of Chervil the night she became "ours" showed a lovely little puppy, a bit quieter than the others, and maybe a bit shy.  We were extra careful to do LOTS of socializing with other dogs, people, places, umbrellas, etc. to make sure the shyness didn't become a problem.)  Good luck! 

[Camus]

That's destiny! It is so good when puppy meets the right owner and vice versa. Your profile picture is such a good demonstration of what you say about Chervil. She is so sweet.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I let my breeder do the choosing as I loved all the puppies in the pictures she sent me.   I spent nine months waiting and  I developed a good relationship with the breeder and was quite specific about my needs.   She is very experienced and seems to know her dogs really well.   I also chose the two parents. So far so good. Riley is proving to be all we could have hoped for and more.  I met both parents and some of his brothers when I went to collect him.  I wanted calm and sociable and that is exactly what I got, oh and good looks, great coat, good car traveler, very smart, lovely colour...what more can I say!

[Camus]

You were definitely prized for your patience! I couldn't wait so long. 

Riley is gorgeous. I love his color. (this is weird. my laptop doesn't like the word "colour" when I try to type it and accepts only "color")

[Adina P]

I was first on the list for my breeder.  I had communicated extensively with her about what I wanted.  I wanted a cream female with a middle of the road temperament and I wanted to do therapy with her in the future.

 

The litter consisted of 4 pups: 1 large red male, 1 apricot/buff female, 1 apricot/buff male, and 1 cream female.  I thought the cream female looked GREAT and just like what I wanted (via photos).  However as their personalities emerged, I learned that the two pups with the temperament that most matched my wish list were the two males.  The cream female was quite shy and the apricot/buff female was high energy.  The more I learned about the pups the more the large red male (NOT at all what I was looking for looks wise but he was cute in an odd, old man, old soul way) fit best temperament-wise.  So that is who I chose.  I have NEVER regretted it =)

Some people believe you'll 'just know' and the 'right puppy finds you'.  I believe in choosing based on temperament and specifics rather than 'feelings' because I don't really want the most bold pup that seeks me out and I want something concrete to go on since it will be a dog I'll have for, hopefully, 15 years.  Plus I think most people will end up loving even a poorly matched dog...I'd rather stack the cards in my favor to love a dog that actually fits my life and is not too difficult.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Isn't it funny how we all want different things?  I wanted the "bold pup".  And it's worked out!  Guess that is how it should be!