How Puppy Picks Work
Puppies are picked in the order deposits are received; however, this is not a “best to worst” process. We typically begin puppy selections around six weeks of age, once their individual personalities and temperaments start to emerge.
During the first few weeks, puppies are mostly sleeping, eating, and growing. While it’s easy to fall in love with a certain puppy based on a cute picture or unique marking, their true personalities simply haven’t developed yet.
As they grow, we begin to see differences in temperament. Some puppies are more laid-back and easygoing, while others are more outgoing, confident, or energetic. These differences are important because certain temperaments are better suited for different families, homes, and lifestyles. If a puppy may be a candidate for service or therapy work, we may allow additional time to make sure we are choosing the right puppy for that role.
Around four weeks of age, I’ll send you a Puppy Wish List to complete. This gives you a chance to remind me about your family, lifestyle, and what you’re hoping for in your puppy, as well as share any preferences you may have. I keep this information in mind as I spend time with the puppies and begin observing their individual personalities. This helps me guide you toward the puppy that may be the best fit for your family.
I know it can be hard to wait and easy to feel anxious about which puppy will be yours. Your favorite may change several times as you watch their personalities develop! I encourage families to enjoy watching the litter grow and trust the process. It will be worth the wait when you bring home the puppy who is the perfect fit for your puppy.
Our goal is to give each puppy a voice while setting both the puppy and your family up for a happy, successful relationship.
Please note: As the breeder, I always reserve the right to first pick of the litter and may occasionally hold back a puppy for my breeding program.
Check out this video that shows one week of puppy progress!
Our Visitor Policy
Families who have placed a deposit on a litter are welcome to visit once the puppies are at least four weeks old.
The first few weeks are a critical time for mom and her puppies. My focus is on making sure everyone is healthy, eating well, gaining weight, and thriving. Moms can also be especially protective during this time, so we keep their environment as calm and stress-free as possible.
By around four weeks, the puppies are usually more active, mom is more relaxed, and everyone has settled into a good routine. At that point, we can begin scheduling visits.
Because every litter is different, I’m not always able to guarantee a specific visit date far in advance. Timing depends on how mom and the puppies are doing and may also be affected when we have multiple litters. Their health and well-being will always come first.
Visits are scheduled individually so we don’t overwhelm mom or the puppies. I’m very flexible and will do my best to find a time that works well for your family.
Before Your Visit
To help protect our puppies from illnesses such as parvo, we ask that all visitors:
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Remove shoes before entering the puppy area
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Wash hands before handling the puppies
These simple precautions help us keep our puppies safe and healthy.
