Picking Your Puppy
Once you have found a breeder that you trust it's time to think about a puppy again. Take your time. You might have to wait weeks or even months for the right litter to be whelped, and it can be well worth the wait. If you are fortunate, and more than one litter is available at the same time in your area, you can compare puppies, pedigrees and parents. You may be asked to put a deposit of $100 or more on a puppy from the litter of your choice if the puppies are not yet seven weeks old. Good litters seldom go begging, and it is not uncommon for a choice litter to be completely spoken for by the time the puppies are seven weeks of age and ready to go to their new homes.
Not all litters are created equally, not even well bred litters. Some litters will be genetically predisposed for a higher energy level and others for a lower energy level. Some litters will have a tendency to be more dominant and others more submissive. There will be differences among individual puppies in the same litter. Discuss with the breeder the type of dog you are looking for and how you expect it to fit into your lifestyle. Will this be a companion for very small children, a hunting companion, or are you considering competing in obedience or conformation? Expect the breeder to ask several questions in order to determine if a certain litter will be an appropriate match for you. A good breeder is concerned about the puppy's welfare and wants the puppy to be carefully matched to his new home. The perfect home for one puppy might not be the best match for a different puppy.
Don't be surprised if you are not permitted to pick your puppy. Often the breeder does this for you. The breeder spends a great deal of time with the puppies and will be in a position to observe their individual temperaments. Many breeders do temperament tests on the puppies in their litters. These tests, combined with their daily interaction with the litter, help the breeder match each individual puppy to the best home. If you have a breeder that is knowledgeable and caring enough to want to find the puppy that is the perfect match for you, let them do their work. They will do a better job selecting your puppy than you will be able to do by evaluating a litter for 15 minutes.
Almost all Golden puppies are appealing, but you need to look for more than cuteness. They should be sturdy in build with straight legs. They should feel firm and muscular, and be squirmy and active at first when picked up, but be willing to relax and accept being held and cuddled for a short time. Coats should be clean and thick; eyes, nose and ears free of discharge or irritation; and the puppies should not be pot-bellied. Gums should be pink, not pale. Dark pigment around the eyes, with black nose and feetpads is preferred, although this might not be important to you in a dog that is to be a companion only. White markings are not correct in a show or breeding animal, but again, this does not affect the puppy's usefulness otherwise. Golden puppies are born much lighter than their adult color; even a very pale colored puppy will probably become a good golden shade if the ears show the proper gold color.
If the breeder offers you several puppies to select from, take each of the puppies you are considering away from the rest of its littermates and observe its reaction to its environment and to you. Puppies at seven to eight weeks of age should be willing to explore their environment, and although perhaps a little bit cautious at first, they should investigate new objects and be fairly self-assured. Speak to the puppy and see if it will follow you as you move away. Roll a ball or other toy to see if it has the instinct to watch, chase, carry and possibly even return to you with the ball. Some puppies are slower to develop the retrieving instinct than others, but you should not consider a puppy who does not show some interest in or awareness of a moving object. See if the puppy exhibits the type of personality you would want to live with. Perhaps the bold, brash puppy that never stops getting into things would be too much for you, and the more easy-going fellow who's agreeable and a bit more receptive to your guidance would be a better choice.
While observing the puppies, observe the dam as well. Any shyness or aggression on her part is probably indicative of a poor temperament, and the puppies might well inherit these undesirable traits. A Golden Retriever bitch should be watchful and patient with her puppies and should be happy to show them to you. If the sire is available, ask to meet him too.
DON'T be impulsive and DO ask questions
