Pick of the Litter

Hopefully you have chosen a professional, knowledgeable breeder from which to buy your pet and are able to examine the puppies in their own environment.  It is much easier to tell the personality of the puppies if they have not been separated from their mother and littermates, crammed in a cage and driven to meet you somewhere.  If this is the case, the puppy may be stressed and anxious (as well as possibly car sick).  Allow yourself plenty of time to observe the pups.  It will be with you for then next 12-15 years and deserves more than 15 minutes of thought.

Which one do you want?  They're all so cute!  Now is the time for a few tips.

How do the puppies respond when you arrive?  Do they bark at you suspiciously, run away fearfully or stay just out of reach.  If this occurs RUN - DON'T WALK away.  These are not the puppies, nor the breeder you want.  The puppies should be interested and excited about this new experience.  They should scrabble all over you - pulling at your shoe laces and nibbling at your fingers.  If they don't then either the breeder is ignorant or lazy and hasn't socialized the pups or they have a genetic temperament problem.  Whatever the reason... you do not want one of these pups.

After they've lost interest in you, they'll resume their play with each other.  See how they respond to each other.  There is usually a dominant pup in the litter and one that is picked on by all the other pups.  The dominant pup may be more outgoing, but may also try to dominate you in the future.  Don't listen to the people who tell you to let the pup pick you, rather than the other way around.  The polite pup that isn't as forceful may make a calmer pet and be better suited for your family but you don't want the most timid pup either.

Now try gaining the pups attention by snapping you fingers, clapping, whistling, or rattling your keys.  Which pup responds the most quickly? Which comes to investigate.  Which ignores you?  Which is startled?  When you think about it, it's easy to know which one would be best.  You certainly want an alert and confident puppy.  A nervous puppy that startles easily may be unhappy in a busy household and is more likely to snap when startled.  One that ignores you is either sick, dull, or just too independent to bother with you.

Hopefully, by this time, one puppy is standing out and has become your favorite.  There is one more issue that needs to be addressed. Do you want a male or female?

After considering all these factors, you should know by now which puppy is for you.  Take this pup home and enjoy many happy years.

CONTACT:
Terrie Canada
Angel-Lite Maltese
Attalla, Al 35954-7273
Email:  TeraC99@aol.com
Ph: 256-538-7408

Revised May 18, 2006