If you have already established a relationship with a breeder you trust, you are halfway home. You've already done a lot of homework, asking a lot of questions and witnessing firsthand the care and dedication it takes to raise puppies. But you may still be playing “eenie, meenie, miney, moe.” Which one of these marvelous little creatures should you pick for yourself?

Temperament

Your dog's personality is just as important as its health. Just watching a litter of puppies interact with each other will provide a lot of clues to their personalities. You can spot the bully in the bunch, the most dominant pup, and the shyest member, remaining somewhat removed from the fray. Are you looking for a spunky little ball of mischief or a quiet little pal?

Get down to their level. Sit on the floor with the pups, not grabbing or reaching for them, and see how they react to you. Call to them or tap on the floor to get their attention. A curious pup will toddle over to investigate, maybe even climbing into your lap to give you wet kisses or bowing down, inviting you to play. A shy one will hold back while a more independent youngster will take its sweet time approaching you.

Toss a puppy-size ball or a toy to see which one gets it first. When you make a sudden noise like clapping or snapping your fingers, you'll see which ones seem afraid and run away and which boldly approach to see what you're up to.

Now it's time for one-on-one with members of this little brood. When you hold the pups, which one seems to be most comfortable with you? (If you're not sure how to hold it safely and comfortably, ask the breeder.) Can you cradle it like a baby and tickle its tummy or does it try to squirm out of your arms? Take your time in getting to know each one of these little individuals. You don't have to make up your mind the first time you visit them.

Even if you find yourself falling for one over the others, involve your family members to help with the selection process as well. Ideally, everyone in your household needs to be part of the decision because ultimately, you will all have to live with it. You'll need all the help you can get to raise this puppy, and the more people who love it, the happier it will be.

Following a Breeder's Advice

Already aware of the diverse personalities within the litter, the breeder may steer you toward one they feel matches you best. Of course, you'll need to feel that the decision is yours as well. Naturally, breeders spend far more time observing the behavior of their puppies, learning which are mischievous, bossy, and independent, or shy, sweet, and submissive; which will require a soft reassuring approach to thrive; and which will need owners who establish their leadership from day one. Remain open to the breeder's valuable input as you observe, listen, and learn before choosing.

Will the Dog Be a Companion or Show Dog?

Most litters bred by reputable breeders produce both pet- and show-quality pups. Pet-quality puppies are not bargain-basement knockoffs or litter leftovers. They have had the same care, dedication, and money put into their planning and raising as their show-quality littermates. They also share the same impressive lineage.

Often, people looking for a puppy are under the impression that “pet quality” means a dog of lesser value. In truth, it merely means that the breeder has decided that this particular pup will not come close enough to the breed standard — the official ideal of perfection — to become a champion in the ring. Campaigning a dog to its AKC championship takes a tremendous amount of time and money, so unless breeders are fairly confident that a dog stands a good chance of winning, they would much prefer to see it in a loving home as a valued pet.

If a breeder wants to maintain breeding rights on your dog, you may face conflicts down the road. On the whole, contracts of this type benefit the breeder more than the person who is the dog's primary caretaker. Once you have bonded to your dog, you may resent fulfilling your agreed-upon obligation. If you view it as your entry into the exciting world of AKC championships, this kind of agreement may suit you very well, but proceed with caution.

Be careful of contracts that sell a puppy for the full purchase price and require it to be bred, with the breeder keeping the puppies. Breeding a litter requires a huge commitment of time, energy, and responsibility on your part. Both emotional and monetary costs are involved. Think long and hard before you become involved in such a co-ownership contract.

Male or Female?

In small and toy dogs that are spayed or neutered, gender differences are not a huge concern. Ask your breeder about personality differences in their male and female dogs. In some breeds, males may be more stubborn and dominant. Females tend to be a bit smaller in size and less inclined to wander, but since no small dogs should ever be running around unsupervised, that really is a moot point.

In any case, if you are not planning to breed your dog, spaying and neutering has significant health benefits as well. It prevents mammary and uterine cancer in females and testicular and prostate cancer in males. It also prevents accidental litters, which can be disastrous for tiny female dogs impregnated by larger canines, and cuts down on the male's aggressive tendencies and habit of marking territory by urinating, inside and out. Whichever sex you choose, your dog may be spayed or neutered at six months of age.

Some people believe that female dogs are easier to train and male dogs are more likely to challenge your authority. Again, this varies widely within specific breeds. Since there are enormous personality differences in dogs of both sexes, the question of how much males differ from females remains open to debate.

Buying Multiple Dogs

If you are considering acquiring two small dogs, the sex question becomes more important. On the whole, two male dogs will compete to be leader of the pack, and that can lead to fighting. This is more common with males that have not been neutered, but it also has a bearing on the degree of aggression and submission of the two males in question. Usually, getting a male and a female and having them both fixed or having two spayed females works out best. They will keep each other company while you are away and become the best of friends. You may have to monitor feeding to make sure one doesn't gobble up the other's share of food. You will also have two dogs to housebreak and train, double the work of just one. Since two heads are better than one at thinking up fun things to do, you will also have double the mischief. But many dog lovers wouldn't dream of having only one dog, looking upon two little dogs as twice as much fun.

Adding a new small dog to a household that already has an older dog can be a chancy proposition. For safety's sake, the older dog must not be much larger or stronger than the new arrival. Some older dogs are like some older people; they don't have as much tolerance for youthful high jinks as they once did. A pesky little puppy that always wants to play could really get on an older dog's nerves. Some older dogs will exhibit personality changes when you bring a young one into your home, either growing depressed and retreating from the family circle or becoming jealous and more demanding of your attention.