personality: choosing a puppy
Hi everyone!
In preparation of getting a corgi puppy I read as many threads on this forum as possible. I read a lot about personality differences and sometimes I feel this is exactly what I am looking for, but other times not so much!
My question to you is:
When you chose your puppy, were you able to tell what kind of personality or character your dog had? And did that change once he/she got older?
Some are snuggly, others hate it
Some bark a lot, others don't
Some are hyper and wake in early morne, others sleep in and love to chill....
How do I know which pup will be the right one for me?!
Did you know?
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Holly on
-
I am not sure how much you can tell about a puppy, but I am sure the breeders would be able to make some predictions from their observations. I have one of those dogs that likes to chill and sleep in which certainly works for me. Some people find my dog boring because she doesn't like to play, but I was looking for a laid-back pup. I adopted a young adult dog in large part to help ensure the temperament I wanted/needed. If you are not sure what temperament you need in a pet you may want to consider pet sitting a few times to see what types of behavior you prefer.
My dog loves to snuggle and follow me around, but I have met pet owners that actually find that annoying. I did have to work to teach her not to be so submissive, but I am sure overly dominant traits can be modified as well. I have heard corgis are barkers, but I had mine for months before I heard a bark, and the shelter had never heard her bark. I know that can be modified as well, but I am not sure how ingrained that and other behaviors may be. I think the general energy and affection levels are probably pretty set in an animal's personality. You are smart to seek one that is best suited to your own personality and lifestyle. I had to be honest about my own low-key lifestyle when I chose my dog but it paid off since I can sleep in with my lazy ass. :D
-
Permalink Reply by Esther on
-
Thanks Holly, and actually what you are describing is exactly what I'd want! I am NOT a morning person and I'd adore a dog that wants to be at my side wherever I go :) But I don't know how I can recognize a personality like this in a puppy, when I get to choose one from a litter...
-
Permalink Reply by Beth on
-
Good question! It can be hard for a puppy buyer to judge because you are getting a snapshot of behavior. So the puppy might seem mellow and cuddly because she just spent 2 hours terrorizing her litter mates and is exhausted, for instance. Or the puppy might seem cranky and mouthy because he was awakened from his nap to visit with potential puppy-buyers, when in fact he is usually pretty mellow.
Usually, the breeder will do the choosing for you, after you have several conversations about what you are looking for and the breeder has met you and sized up how you are with the dogs.
The breeder we used did such a good job matching us with dogs (one a new pup from a litter, the other a retired show dog/ breeding bitch) that I would seriously trust her to send me a puppy, sight unseen, if the situation required that.
But some things, like barking, are really impossible to determine in a pup. Indeed, a dog's level of barking can vary from situation to situation. For instance, some dogs are more likely to bark if they hear other dogs barking. On the other hand, some dogs are less likely to bark if they share a home with an intense alert-barking dog, because they figure the job is already under control. The same dog might alert-bark a lot more in a house where he was the only dog and felt the job of paying attention fell on him. Dogs are social animals and so their behavior can differ based on those around them, in much the same way a person might assume a leader role in one group filled with follower personalities, but assume a more passive role in a second group filled with stronger types.
-
Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on
-
Hi Ester, it's true that a breeder who is experienced in the breed as well as in behavior can stir you towards a puppy that is more suited to you than one of the littermates, but that is still a far cry from being able to predict the things you are asking about for a number of reasons.
I temperament tested many litters of various breeds for breeders who asked me to do this (note that one cannot temperament test ones own puppies and that, while temperament testing is pretty straightforward, the interpretation of the results is not ) and it can give you insight into the tendencies of a puppy, but they are just tendencies and what YOU do with that puppy is what will be the major factor in the adult dog you end up with.
Beth relates her experience, but I can assure you that a puppy who turns out just wonderful for Beth could have been totally ruined by another person...
There are so many variables in raising a puppy that, if specific personality traits are a big factor for you, you will be better off with a dog of at least 12-18 months. By that age, personality is pretty well established and what you see, if you like it, is what you get.
Puppies are like an unwrapped present, they are full of surprises and you just have to roll with it and gently mold what you have in front of you as it presents itself day by day. Some are pretty predictable, others seem to dream things up at night to do in the day. I have raised many puppies from birth into old age, but now I much prefer to adopt a dog whose temperament and personality I can see clearly. I may still have some training work to do to get the behavior I want, but the personality is what it is. Not so straightforward with a puppy.
-
-
Indeed, Anna, you raise some good points. For instance, when I brought Jack home at 10 weeks, he was a puppy who I could hold in my arms on his back like a baby if I wanted to (not that I did this often) and by 14 weeks, after no trauma that I could tell, he spontaneously turned into a dog who really does not like being handled (it took me 6 months of working with him 2 times a week or so to be able to do his nails). He panics at the vet. My vet believes he is claustrophobic, not stubborn, and my view matches closely to that. He says some dogs are just that way. As with people, certain personality traits are present from birth but others seem to onset suddenly at different stages of development.
Jack is confident and outgoing and friendly, but he is also very suspicious of anything out of the ordinary. Those two traits may seem to be in opposition to each other, and indeed they are, but the fact is I actively socialized the heck out of him (knowing Corgis can be this way) from 11 weeks through his second year, and so there are very few things he views as "out of the ordinary."
This same dog, raised by an unpredictable person in an environment where he lacked socialization and was handled roughly, could have easily turned into a nervous, fearful dog rather than a confident outgoing one.
Maddie, on the other hand, is one of those dogs who inherently believes that humans are wise and their judgement sound. She is a born follower. I truly believe she would have been the same sweet and easy dog in all but the very worst of environments. She was raised by her breeder.
-
Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on
-
When you get a puppy it is a good idea to go into it with a very open mind. While a breeder can give you an idea of temperment it really won't predict accurately what it will be grown up. If certain things are deal breakers, you might want to consider an older pup. Many breeders will be considering showing a puppy and may change their mind later and have a 6 or 9 month old pup available. (the breeder I got Watson from currently has his 7 month old brother available for that very reason) Really you have to be willing to accept the dog they turn out to be since you will have a part in determining that as they grow. If you decide on a puppy just be willing to go to classes with them and put in the time. I bet you will love them no matter how they turn out!
-
Permalink Reply by Vicky Hay on
-
"Puppies are like an unwrapped present": That is so apt, Anna!
So many factors contribute to a dog's personality, some of them inborn and some of them the result of day-to-day interaction with the people and other animals around them. I'd say your best bet is to find a really experienced breeder, one who knows the breed well and who has been around the block several times, explain what you hope for and why (not just "I want a calm, laid-back dog" but "I want a calm, laid-back dog because I have three grandchildren and the neighbors' kids are over at my house all the time"), and then pray for the best. And as soon as Pup has all its vaccinations, make a point of walking in places where you'll meet lots of people, going to obedience training classes to meet people AND dogs, and inviting dog-appreciating friends over to your house.
In my experience even an adult dog's "personality" can change as the animal is in contact with people -- they adapt to the household where they're living. Generalizations about breeds can be way off-target for an individual, too: the "corgis bark" chestnut, for example -- Cassie yaps a lot (that was the reason her previous humans gave for dumping her at the dog pound) but Ruby does not. Some years ago I was into greyhounds, which are kennel dogs until they're retired and adopted out. My vet, who's an expert on greys, remarked that they actually have no personality until they start living in someone's house, and that their "personality" develops after about six months around people. That was certainly so of Walt the Greyhound: he was a blank slate at first and slowly grew into quite a funny and ingratiating character.
-
Permalink Reply by Katy on
-
When I went to pick out my Buddha as a puppy, he was the puppy who was interested in me, not too forward and aggressive in his approach, let me handle him, roll him onto his back and then when he was back on his feet he bounded off and wanted to play with me and his litter mates but remained interested in me and what i was about.
He is still the same way, loves to chill when it's time and can play hard when it's time. He is the easy going guy, easy to train/ wants to please, will do what you ask without too much back talk and is good with other dogs (his older age has made him a tad gouchier lol).
I use certain tactics when I look at puppies ( playing, watching who is dominant, who is lower in the pecking order, how they react to me and if I am stern with them are they sassy back or are they the type that seem to think about it and move on, learning quickly) . I've made good decisions on different breeds, not just corgis. The pups I have ended up with were readily trainable (commands and crate + potty training) and just good dogs.
I see that the breeders should be able to help you pick one but I don't like someone assuming they know me and my lifestyle and training. Hopefully, they can help you choose the best puppy for you if you're not comfortable doing it yourself.
-
Permalink Reply by Judith Andre on
-
One thing I have found as far as adopting an older puppy is that often they change and develop personality quirks as they go through puberty...9-18 months or so, so you need to be aware of that. Murray was the leader of the doggie pack when he picked me out at 11 wks old. He would run like crazy with a toy in his mouth with the whole pack following him, but stop periodically and come over and jump on me. The other pups were so wrapped up in their play that they pretty much ignored me at that point. His personality has held true to that...very outgoing, friendly and confident. Not a dog for the feint of heart but perfect for me. A very endearing quality that he has that was not obvious at that point is that he is a "2 speed" dog. Either he's going at something full bore...playing, doing agility... or he's very laid back..literally on his back!.. and waiting for the next tummy rub. Not much in between. Murray's breeder called him a "character" and indeed he was and is...Mr. personality. Good luck in your puppy search!
-
Permalink Reply by Jane on
-
Ask the breeder's opinion. They have raised the puppies since birth so they should have the best insight into their personalities. That being said, it's pretty hard to predict such specific behaviors as you listed.
-
Permalink Reply by Denis J. on
-
Morning Esther,
I don't have any experience choosing a puppy as my single criteria (hope) was to get a male. The breeder was 3 provinces away from me and since she's in the show circuit, I was only hoping to have a male one for a Pet Home. But I agree that talking to the breeder would be the best.
But from my general standpoint on this is that the personality from a puppy might be a long ways as to the personality that will be developping in the 1-2 years after coming home. I beleive the owner has a huge part is the development of the pups personality, from social interactions and situations, excercise time with other pups, training, etc.
If you have the chance to pick the puppy yourself I would say guage your decision on what you feel inside when you meet "that one pup". Not by physical appearances but just biological reaction and that special something that creates a spark between you both. You're expectations towards "the ideal pet" might come into play as well but remember that this will be a mutual benefiting relationship. I'm not sure if you've had dogs before but for me I quickly realized and accepted that I would have to adapt my life as much as Wally had to accomodate in learning from his new home and routine. I beleive it's a 50-50 partnership.
If you have the chance to do that, then I hope you'll have a wonderful experience.
Good luck.
-
-
Very well said Dennis! The "proof in the pudding" is that you and Wally have bonded so strongly and have so much fun sharing life together. All relationships are a two way street.
Rescue Store
Stay Connected
FDA Recall
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Recall
Groups
We support...
Badge
© 2024 Created by Sam Tsang.
Powered by
