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

[Christie and Jake]

The breeder is not pressuring me at all to pick.  I just know that four other families will be waiting on us to make our choice so I guess I worry about that.  I am going to ask her about temperament testing because I don't know if she does or not.  They were born July 3 so I guess it would be pointless to visit this weekend like I wanted to.  Waiting is so very hard!!!!  Thank Goodness for DoodleKisses or I would probably lose it!

[Adina P]

I went to visit a litter of pups at 5 weeks--just for fun.  I was slightly considering getting a pup, but mostly just wanted to enjoy some doodle pups.  At 5 weeks none really stood out, except by looks/coat.  It was hot outside and they were all sleepy for the first hour, preferred to huddle together and nap in the shade.  A few were more awake and playful, but even 2 hours spent trying to get to know them didn't give me useful info.  I definitely would not have felt comfortable making a wise decision when the pups were at that age.

 

We ended up getting a rescued labradoodle a few weeks later for a number of reasons, so I never did go back to visit that litter again.  I just don't like to pick by looks alone. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

At this point I'd go for Hollywood. He has to my mind, the ebst coat and a nice blocky head.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Love how Hollywood has those front paws crossed....he'd be my choice, but you can't go wrong with any of these cuties.

[Melody & Bruin]

My first choice, naturally based on looks alone would be Hollywood, just love that face and those crossed paws are doing it for me too!

[Angie, Hudson and Lily]

They are all adorable, but I like the faces on Hayden and Harris best, with Harris being my favorite. Go with personality, rather than looks. Take into account what the breeder tells you about each pup's personality, and then see how they are when you are there.

[shelly]

Aren't you just about to bust?!  Wow choices... sometimes it's better when they aren't all so darn cute!  Well, here's my opinion... coming from someone who has a doodle with stranger issues... I would NOT ever get another who was 'a bit shy or reserved' as they put it!  Do I think you can 'work' with them... sure, but why start off with something to work with... you'll have quite enough to work with with basic training!  That said, I like the looks of  Houston (but I like reddish colors) and Henry is a cutie.  Harris looks like he has a shorter nose and blockier head - like that too... so I know I wasn't much help, as I would want them ALL for different reasons.  Can you wait a bit longer to see how their personality goes, being that each and everyone is cuter than the next?  Before I got Tori (who by the way is NOT red - lol)  I didn't think 'personality' was a big issue, but now.... that would be a major consideration for next time for us!  Good luck!  Can't wait to see who becomes "Mr. Still Waiting"

[Kristin & Hudson]

I agree with Shelly about the shyness.  When we went to pick out our puppy at 6 weeks it was a choice between two (we wanted a chocolate male and their were only 2 in the litter of the 10).  We fell in love with both but we noticed one would walk with his tail between his legs and seemed more skittish when he wasn't around the other littermates.  But he had the cutest face!!  Our breeder said she would watch both of them for the remaining few weeks (she exposed them both to many different scenarios and sounds and watched how they reacted) and she would let us know if he got better.  Two weeks later she emailed us and said he was still much shyer and would react more than the other pup. She suggested we go with the other since he was a more middle of the pack pup. So we took her advice and we couldn't be happier with our decision.  Hudson has been wonderful and we can take him anywhere with us.  I don't know if we would have been able to do that with the other pup.  My advice is to definitely listen to the breeder and really look at the pups temperament.  BTW, they are all soooo adorable!!  Good luck and keep us posted!

[Christie and Jake]

Yes I am about to bust!  I appreciate your thoughts on the shyness as that is a major concern to me.  My daughter has been in love with Hollywood all along.  I'm starting to lean toward him.  I'm not sure when we have to pick him out by.  We are first pick so everyone else will be waiting on us.  I just hate to wait to the last minute.  I'm calling the breeder to see when we are allowed to visit.  Maybe that will help us make up our mind.  I agree that personality has to be #1!

[Adina P]

I don't recall who it was but someone else was going through this decision recently and there were some responses with links to the Volhard personality test for puppies. Might be worth flipping through past discussions to find that one.  That way if you get to visit you can use an objective measure to make an educated choice.  I wouldn't do that test prior to 7 weeks though...just like babies reach milestones constantly and hit new developmental stages all the time between 0 and 1 year, puppies can seem very different each week and a 6 week old may react very differently than a 7 week old.  Plus 7 weeks is not at all 'last minute' -- it's a wise choice to wait that long if you can.

[shelly]

I think it was Jack and Jennifer (well, Jennifer's mom really)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Oh, I love the eyes of Hayden.  He is an observant one.  A thinking dog.  He is a handful but smart