1 Two pups from the same litter - which one is for you? Both pup are very pretty, but all pups are NOT created equal! How do you decide which pup is best for your kids? Let's explore this using our two sisters as examples. The red pup is Ruby, aka Wooby-Wu and her black sister is Lucy-Lu!
2 Josh likes Ruby...... "Hey dad, can I hold this one?" Josh wants to hold Ruby, so we say "OK, you can TRY.."
3 Ruby scored 1's and 2's on her aptitude test... Pups that score 1's and 2's are confident pups that can easily be provoked to bite. They are best suited for show or guard work, or any dog sport that requires a confident and bold dog.
4 Getting the low down...... Josh finds Ruby too much pup to handle - he has to put her down as he can hardly hold her!
5 Josh now has Lucy... Lucy's puppy aptitude test scores were mostly 3's and 4's. Those scores indicate a malleable pup who is submissive and easily dominated. Pups that score in this range DO NOT make good police dogs but can make a GREAT family pet!
6 See the difference? Josh could hardly hold on to Ruby with out dropping her due to her dominant struggling, but with Lucy he can hold her while playing ball!
7 Awwww! "I want this one, dad!"
8 In looking for a pup for the kids....... Make sure the breeder you choose either has their own kids, or actively socializes their pups with children. These kids are all volunteers!
9 Jumping up can be a sign........ Of a pushy pup! The pup that rushes out to greet you, the pup that seems to 'pick you' by running out and jumping on you very likely is a pup that would score 1's and 2's on an aptitude test. Such a pup is not out of the question for a family with kids, but it takes a **very experienced** dog owning family for it to be a sucess. If you are getting your first dog, a pup with this type of temperament is NOT recommended. The pup shown here is Jethro - not nearly as pushy as his sister Ruby, but very independant and stubborn!
10 We like these! Both these colorful pups are on the pushier side. Despite the fact they were favorites with these boyz, the pups went to adult homes.
11 Look at momma Sonja.... If when you meet your breeder you cannot let your kids in the same room as the dam of the pups, get back in the car and leave! While both the sire and dam contribute 50/50 to the genetic make up of the pups, the dam has the most *behavioral* influence on the temperament of the pups. If the dam cannot be petted, if you cannot approach her with out her growling or if she is too shy or fearful to touch, do not get a pup from her! Choose a pup only from a litter where the dam is friendly and calm -a dam with the kind of temperament you want for your own dog.
12 So you know it was not a fluke..... Everyone picks up their favorite pup for a group shot. Tyler picks Ruby- so we say "OK, you can TRY to hold her.."
13 I better sit down for this....... Tyler has her, but for how long?
14 All his brother can do is laugh..... As Tyler tries to master Ruby.
15 He gives a good effort.... But Ruby is gaining ground- she just might climb atop his head!
16 Tyler gave up in the end...... And had to put Ruby down. Often the most outgoing (and appealing) pup in the litter is simply too much for most to handle. This was certainly the case with Ruby! Ruby has remained with us at RatpiT kennels, but her sister Lucy was placed in a home with kids that adore her.
