What if the puppy I find is the last one in the litter?

fergus'dad · 01-16-2007, 10:11 PM

I'm looking for a boxer puppy & was refered to a breeder by the akc referal service. The breeder was highly recomended & the puppy is within my price range. Nevertheless, he only has one puppy left & all the advice I've found says to see how the puppy behaves amongst its liter mates in order to determine if the puppy has the right temperament. Also, I kind of wanted a male & this one is a female. I want to make sure I have the right info before I go to see the puppy so that I know what to look for. I'm really curious to see what experienced owners have to say.

animalcraker · 01-16-2007, 10:35 PM

It all depends on why the pup is the last one in the litter. Many reputable breeders will keep "show prospects" longer then other pups that have faults or ae more suited for a pet home. It could be a backyard breeder that didn't take proper care of the litter and this is the last one that "survived".

If the breeder has a website, you could direct us to it and we could give you our opinions on the breeder. Having AKC pups or being on the AKC referal DOES NOT mean that they are a good, reputible, or ethical breeder. All it means is that they have a pup that can be registered with the AKC.

Also is there any particular reason why you want a male instead of a female? If the puppy is not what you want then don't get it, IMO.

Lorina · 01-16-2007, 10:36 PM

The best breeders have homes for their pups before they're even concieved. To get exactly what you want, you might have to go on a breeder's waiting list.

nicole84 · 01-16-2007, 10:50 PM

if the puppy is not the sex that you want then wait until you find a reputable breeder.

fergus'dad · 01-16-2007, 11:05 PM

Thanks for the advice. Any thoughts as to what to look for in this particular puppy if & when I see it? My concern is determining the temperament without other pups to interact with her

nrhareiner · 01-16-2007, 11:47 PM

There are several ways to see what a pups personality is like with out other pups around. Just depends on what you are looking for. Do you want a pup that is soft and is more likely to stay by you or are you looking for a pup who is more out going.

I know when I was looking for a pup for my next agiltiy dog I wanted a pup who was not scared but wanted to be with me and please me. The one I picked at 4 weeks old was out going and would serch around her surounding but always came back to me. Did not care that her siblings where disapering as I eliminated them from the group I was looking at. When I truned her over she did not fight it and did not try to grab on with her paws.

I looked for simialr things when I picked out my corgi but being a differnt breed then the Golden I looked for slitly differnt trates. Also the corgi was not only going to used for aglity but also conformation which the Golden may or may not be used for. So needless to say I had differnt criteria when I picked the corgi then I did the Golden both are going to be shown just in differnt ways. Both are also part of my family and need to fit in with all the other animals including horses.

Also I will say that now that both are home and have been for a little over a week both are exactly what I thought they would be.

Heidi

DogAdvocat · 01-17-2007, 12:24 AM

Try entering " pick of the litter puppy " into google. Leave off the quotes. There's several websites that show you how to pick the puppy for you.

skelaki · 01-17-2007, 02:48 AM

Is this breeder a member of the national breed club? Any local clubs (boxer or all breed)? If she is, she has agreed to abide by a certain code of ethics. Ask for references from pet owners and other breeders. If the pup she has is a good match for you temperament wise, sex, etc. there could be many reasons why it's the only one remaining. Perhaps it was one she was looking at it as a show prospect, or perhaps some of the people on her waiting list backed out (it happens).

Be cautious, get referrals and ask lots of questions.

Keno's Mom · 01-17-2007, 12:56 PM

IMO if its not the "right" one, you should pass and maybe get on that breeder's waiting list for a future puppy that is the one you really want.

Why settle? Its better to get what you want, then to take what is left.