Selecting (or having the breeder select) the puppy who is neither first or last when called, is neither shy nor a bully with littermates, and is neither outstanding or underwhelming in the litter will often be the best match for a happy family: easy to train, travel with, manage, and adapt to your daily life.
PERSONALITY CHECK
A puppy that is quiet and withdrawn from the other animals may be naturally shy or not terribly energetic but it may also be physically unwell. Check these puppies carefully for signs of illness but if they do turn out to be healthy, this level of calmness may be a desirable quality.
Although accurate temperament testing is not possible at a very young age, you can get a general assessment of your pup's personality. Does he seem interested in play? Does he sniff or nudge your hand when you hold it out and welcome your touch? Is he comfortable around people or does he cower when you approach?
Furthermore, the temperament was affected by litter size and season of birth. One possible interpretation of this would be that it could be possible to affect adult behaviour of dogs by adjusting litter sizes and birth times, but the present data do not allow this conclusion.
All dogs fall somewhere on the dominance/submissiveness scale. In every litter, there's generally one puppy who's clearly “extra.” He's usually sort of noisy and busy. He takes toys away from his litter mates and he protects them.
A runt is specifically an animal that suffered in utero from deprivation of nutrients by comparison to its siblings, or from a genetic defect, and thus is born underdeveloped or less fit than expected.
Test temperament by flipping them over. The alpha will most likely continuously struggle, refusing to submit to you. If you want a dog that is eager to please, don't pick that one. The perfect temperament for me (maybe you), should struggle quite a bit, but eventually they will let you hold them in such a way.
Generally, a puppy will inherit their size from their parents. Still, puppies can have different sizes. Sometimes, the small pup in the litter can catch up within one to two years if you give them proper care. As a new fur parent though, it's a good idea to pick the biggest puppy in the litter.
A submissive dog will hold his head low, ears back, and slink himself down, trying to look smaller. Submissive dogs are easier to deal with than dominant dogs. If you do not feel you have a complete understanding of canines and what it takes to be a true pack leader to your dog, you should pick a submissive puppy.
Typically, the more loose skin a puppy has, the more room he has for growth. Big parents equals big puppies. The best and easiest way to determine the future size of your puppy is by looking at both parents. Generally, whatever the parent's size and weight is, you can bet your puppy will be as well.
By 6-8 weeks, a breeder should be able to tell you many details about your pup's personality. And remember, training and socialization have a strong role to play, too! With the right combination of nature and nurture, you will find yourself with a perfect companion for the next 12+ years!
If your puppy aggressively or viciously tries to bite or if a snarl or growl accompany the attempt to bite, you need to take action. It's also dangerous if your puppy tries to bite your face or if your puppy tries to bite other dogs, or other people, especially children.
Although all dogs are friendly, the laidback puppy is your ultimate best friend! Friendly, laidback puppies love everyone they meet. In fact, a laidback, friendly puppy would probably greet you with kisses and a happy, wagging tail.
Runt Puppy Personality
Runt of the litter personalities are usually very positive. Runt puppies often get handled more and loved on more, so they are usually well socialized and happy. They still need to learn boundaries, however, so don't spoil them. Let their dam handle interactions if she is a good mother.
The easiest way to spot a dominant pet is through body language: a pup that holds their head high with a rigid tail and alert ears likely has a dominant personality. Other signs of dominant dog behavior include: Resistance to voice commands. Aggressive response to eye contact or verbal correction.
Don't pick up a dog by the scruff of the neck. Don't pick them up by the front legs (or “underarms”) like a baby—it can strain their ligaments. A fresh way to feed your pet.
In mammals, the male determines the sex of an offspring, while the female determines the size of a litter by the number of eggs she drops that become fertilized. We have all heard that there are sires who have a reputation for producing females.
Continually holding your dog can make them begin to feel as though they are human and can encourage behavior that causes dominance struggles within your home. Your dog should understand that their place is on the floor where they are not equal to you.
Eye contact is a show of strength among all creatures. If your dog breaks eye contact, this is a telltale sign of submission. In the wild, alphas put betas and omegas in their place with a decisive stare. If your dog breaks eye contact with you first, this is a dramatic sign of them viewing you as the alpha.
As the alpha, you must establish rules and consistently apply the rules that create a sense of structure. This shows your dog their place in your family. Don't slip on the enforcement of the rules, or your puppy will start to question your leadership and their own place in the pack.