Puppy meet & greet

[Carol and Truffle]

So, our breeder has set the weekend that families can come (in 2-hour slots) to meet the puppies & pick.

For my husband & I it will be a 7 hour-drive one-way to go the the breeder. She has offered Facetime sessions for the out-of-towners.

I am struggling with whether there is really much that we would be able to tell from a 2-hour in-person visitation vs Facetime & relying on the breeder's experience.

One thing a friend has suggested is that we would be able to see better whether any puppy is fearful of strangers & perhaps better see how the puppies actually react to the breeder.

On the other hand, can we really tell much from a 2 hour interaction window as to how the puppy will be in 2, 3, 5 years from now?

The other thing is that she is having us indicate our #1, 2, 3 selections so that if we cannot get to her in the order that we will actually pick, then we are not 'penalized'. But it seems to me that if I indicate my first 3 choices, then get to the location & instead fall in love with #4 or 5, then it won't really matter if I see the pups in person.

Any thoughts are welcome. VERY EXCITING THOUGH - puppy will be with us before we know it!

[Carol and Truffle]

To the extent that anyone can tell at 8 weeks, I can certainly tell the breeder that we are very interested in furnishing. But both parents are multi-gen ALD & have full furnishings, so I don't think that would be an issue. One's coat is described as fleece & the other as wavy fleece.

And we did also look at the lineage for each & can tell that they are truly multi-generation labradoodles.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I did not completely understand eitherr.  Unless you are well skilled in puppy behavior, I would be very tempted to let the breeder pick for you.

[Carol and Truffle]

We are NOT WELL SKILLED!!! So yes, we are very much leaning towards good communication with the breeder & letting her guide us.

I've read a lot here & on FB & am more & more comfortable that we have "lucked out" (since this is our very first 'doodle) in our choice of breeder.

We have had dogs before (Golden Retrievers, Scottish Terriers, Collies, Miniature Dachsunds & some 'mutts' along the way) so we are not completely novices, but reading here on Doodlekisses, listening to my niece who is an outstanding groomer, and our daughter, who is doing a Masters program in Animal Behavior, I feel like we've had a succession of 'beginner's luck' with our previous dogs .... and these dogs were taken on as puppies in 2004, 1999, 1977 & even earlier ... so CLEARLY in the dinosaur ages of dog behavior & training philosophies.

I really feel like we are just complete NOVICES now with all of the developments since 1999 & 2004 !!!!

(** we steered away from adoption from our local animal shelters because we didn't feel like we were very good candidates to take on a dog who had an unknown behavioral history ... so I intend to donate to one of our local rescue groups as an appeasement)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Carol, there are excellent and valid reasons to adopt/rescue a dog from a shelter or rescue organization AND excellent reasons to purchase a dog from a breeder. Neither is a better choice over the other. It is what is correct for your family, living situation, age, amount of time available at that time. Don't ever let anyone make you feel that you have to defend why you choose what you choose.

The only thing I consider indefensible is when one knowingly purchases from a puppy mill or backyard breeder. 

[Carol and Truffle]

:) Thanks, Nancy et al.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Cannot wait to see pictures of your Pup to be. 

[Carol and Truffle]

We had our "meet & greet" 2 weekends ago & then today. All pups are reported to be very social :)

We wound up getting a girl! There were changes to the group of families. She is currently called Yellow Girl and hubby & I are negotiating names.

Here she is at 6.5 weeks! 

[Carol and Truffle]

[Stacy]

So sweet! I love baby puppies!

[Carol and Truffle]

Yeah, very sweet :)  ... and for the record ... she is still with mom & litter mates. I don't pick her up until May 13 (she was born March 13)

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

So cute :)

DH and I will be having a puppy "meet and greet" in a few weeks... 11 puppies, going to be a mountain of cuteness.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

What a sweet face.  Can't wait for the name reveal!