So you've decided to get a puppy from a reputable breeder... how should you go about picking the right puppy for your household and lifestyle?!

First off, a good breeder may assign puppies based on temperament testing that they or another party have performed on the litter. If your breeder wants to make assignments, this is generally a good thing! Breeders who truly want the best for their puppies will go to great lengths to ensure they find the right fit for each dog and potential owner.

If you do have a hand in selecting your puppy, here are a few things that you can do to assess temperament and find the right fit:

1. Grab a toy and play with them! Puppies love to play and it’s a great way to get to draw out their personality. While you are playing with each puppy, take note of their toy drive. Some will like to play more than others and some will prefer certain games like tug or fetch. How much toy drive you desire in a puppy will vary from person to person. In pet dogs we generally like to see moderate toy drive. Too little interest in toys and it can be difficult to use play as part of relationship building and training. Too much interest in toys and you can have a dog who is neurotic, resource guards, or generally has too much energy for most pet owners. 
2. Use some food and try luring! Just like using a toy, using a small amount of food to do some luring can give you an idea of a puppy's food drive as well as their natural ability to follow a lure. While luring isn't the only way to teach new behaviors, it's typically an essential part of training. It will be much easier to teach behaviors to a puppy if they have enough food drive to eagerly follow a lure.
3. Do some handling! We will typically flip the puppy on its back and see how they handle being uncomfortable. This is a good exercise to continue practicing once you bring your puppy home as well. We want your puppy to be comfortable being uncomfortable. This helps with grooming, vet visits, etc.
4. Observe their behavior! Spend some time watching the puppies as they walk around and interact with each other. You will notice some seem extra confident while others might be a little reserved and cautious about things. Some might be bouncing off the walls and others will be plopping down to take a nap. Some may be content to focus on a single toy while others constantly need new stimulus to engage them.  Ultimately it is up to you to decide what you want in a puppy. Confidence is always a good thing and it helps ward off a multitude of behavioral issues. Energy level and busyness are trickier, though. It's very easy to overestimate your needs and pick a dog that is a poor fit. Breeds like Border Collies and Belgian Malinois are often sought out by people looking for intelligent, active dogs. The reality is that breeds like this are TOO smart and have TOO MUCH energy for 95% of dog owners. If you are looking for a running or hiking companion, keep in mind that most dogs are capable of the same milage as humans with maturity and proper conditioning. If you are looking for a dog that is easy to train, ensure that they have at least moderate food and toy drive and you should be just fine!
5. And of course, have fun! Puppies are so much fun to be around and naturally bring a smile to your face so enjoy your time playing with them! 

Still deciding whether to get a dog from a breeder or a rescue? Check out this post for some guidance on how to make the right decision for your household and lifestyle!