When we bought our first two dogs (the pits) I think we were quite naive, Though we don't regret at all to have them. We went to the breeder with a Vet to have them examined. That was all.

What would you do in my case: 76, healthy, a lifetime long sportive, enough space for the dog, enough time, only about 4 yrs experience. The dog should be of a certain size, so he could give some protection, when I go lonely on walks on the beach in the very early morning.

Which breeds would you recommend or exclude? (The looks are of no importance, I love all dogs.)

How would you judge the temperament of the individual puppy? Observe how the litter plays together? (But could also be an adult dog.) Test how the dog reacts on me?
Would you go there to watch the dogs together with an experienced instructor?

We don't intend though really to adquire more dogs, but one never knows for sure, as it can always happen something to one of those we have.

Let the breeder choose the dog

I always choose my puppies for their families, based on what that family tells me they want in a puppy, but also based on their lifestyle and regular exercise routine.

As far as breed, hit up a dog event near you. Meet some dogs, meet some people and see if there is a breed that you are very drawn to.

After deciding that the general temperament, exercise requirements and grooming requirements of that breed fit you, get in touch with some reputable breeders and ask about their dogs. Tell them about yourself, and ask them if you think the breed is a good fit.

Personally, I believe you will never regret waiting for the "perfect fit" dog, but the heartbreak that can happen when you get a dog that doesn't fit, and no matter what you can't fit, into your life, can be absolutely horrible.

If I had to suggest a breed to check out, I would always say a German Shepherd (Working Lines). They are versatile as heck, you can get a lovely, stable companion with an energy level to match your exercise schedule, they can be sized just right and a well bred GSD will never let you down

Good luck in your search!

 Quote: Niomi Smith

Let the breeder choose the dog

I always choose my puppies for their families, based on what that family tells me they want in a puppy, but also based on their lifestyle and regular exercise routine.

As far as breed, hit up a dog event near you. Meet some dogs, meet some people and see if there is a breed that you are very drawn to.

After deciding that the general temperament, exercise requirements and grooming requirements of that breed fit you, get in touch with some reputable breeders and ask about their dogs. Tell them about yourself, and ask them if you think the breed is a good fit.

Personally, I believe you will never regret waiting for the "perfect fit" dog, but the heartbreak that can happen when you get a dog that doesn't fit, and no matter what you can't fit, into your life, can be absolutely horrible.

If I had to suggest a breed to check out, I would always say a German Shepherd (Working Lines). They are versatile as heck, you can get a lovely, stable companion with an energy level to match your exercise schedule, they can be sized just right and a well bred GSD will never let you down

Good luck in your search!

OMG, I'm way too much of a Control Freak myself to allow anyone else to select which puppy will be my Personal Companion for the next 10-15 years, LOL -- I know my own needs well, and I do my own puppy temperament testing of the litter...

But with that being said, ha-ha, This IS Good advice for any inexperienced owner who does at least know enough to find a Reputable & Responsible breeder -- However, our friend Christina lives in Brazil where things are fairly different concerning the way dogs are kept, bred & used (no offense to anyone, to any culture, to any anything, just sayin')

 Quote: Candi Campbell

OMG, I'm way too much of a Control Freak myself to allow anyone else to select which puppy will be my Personal Companion for the next 10-15 years, LOL -- I know my own needs well, and I do my own puppy temperament testing of the litter...

I don't know any experienced, responsible, and reputable breeder of purebred dogs who would let a buyer choose their own puppy from a litter in which the breeder has invested their time, planning, money, and emotions, especially a buyer with whom they are not familiar. I could see a collaborative effort between the breeder and buyer if the buyer is someone the breeder knows well; but expecting the breeder to say, "Hey, pick out the one you want!" is unrealistic, unless you are answering a Craigslist ad or the like.

A reputable, ethical breeder will have a waiting list before the litter is even born, and will place the puppies according to what they feel is the best fit for each potential buyer, based on their lifestyle and plans for the puppy. I sure wouldn't want to buy from a breeder who sells puppies on a first-come/first-served basis.

Just sayin.............

Most ethical working dog breeders, Leerburg and Kaiserhaus inlcluded, will have an extensive questionnaire on what the buyer's experience is, what they are looking for, etc... the puppy is then picked based on the answers and any phone or personal conversations between the breeder and the buyer.

We never let strangers in to see the puppies - even office staff were limited in who could interact with the puppies.

Because I have never really gone out looking for a dog, I am not the best one to help you with this particular question, but I will give it a try.

When considering a dog to add to my pack, I make sure that it will get along with the dogs that are already at home. The new dog can NOT HAVE ANY aggression issues - I simply won't put up with that. If it's just the dog being a jerk, I can fix that, but true aggression is not added to my pack.

I like a dog that is a little bit reserved at first, but not terrified - I also don't want one that is overly bold as that can be some dominance issues later on that I prefer not to have to deal with. In a litter of 5 pups, I would consider the 2nd and 3rd pups that come up to me to investigate.

I want a dog that I can touch anywhere - feet, ears, body. They can watch me, and be a little wary, but they need to allow me to do it without protest.

If I make a noise, like drop a food pan, I want a dog that will look, and eventually investigate - not one that will run and hide or one that will run up to and bark at whatever made the noise.

I want a dog with drive, so I will check it's toy drive with a ball and a tug. I want a dog or pup that will do it's best to get the toy.. not one that will try a couple times and find something else to do.

Is that the kind of thing you are looking for Christina?

Thanks to you all for your advices. I'v ptinted them and in case it should be necessary I'll read again all this,

Niomi, the problem here is, I'd never allow a breeder choose my dog, Breeder here is not breeder like in US. Most of them breed just how it happens, even with pedigree you'd be cheated, It doesn't mean nothing here, Our breeder for example had a litter of 11, 6 of which died, because she used the cheepest food for the mother and even not enough. Not my impression, Vets great reproach against her, We took two of them just because accidentally they were here and we found them sweet and wanted to save them from the othe'rs fate we feared coming, I know in between: big error because like this we support that mentality.

Get in touch with some reputable breeders? Forget it. They just have a faint idea how puppies are made, Of course there are serious breeders in this country, Rio, São Paulo etc, but even there you would first to have to make long investigations, who is serious, who not,

Exactly what Candi says!!!

Cheri I think you're absolutely right. If I were a breeder, I guess I would give none of my puppies away! Heart breaking! Unless if it were to a very very well known friend, And what you're writing about selling puppies the way you describe, I aggree fully.

Kelly, your description of responsible breeders is exactly what I'd like, if I'd want a new puppy. But this here is a dream, except some regions I already named. Possible, But with doubts. Well, although we have some problems, we on the whole had good luck. But we're are glad to know, how you'd choose.
I'm at the moment not looking for another dog. I only know if something would happen to one of mine I would want to choose in a more reasonable manner. I know a bit more in between, but here it can be really difficult,

But what is your attitude about dogs from the street? How would you cope with this? Well, sure, we were stupid, emotional and somehow reckless because of pity. I cannot know anything about the real pre-history of this animal. But on the other hand would you let an animal die on the street? Would you let an animal with such special needs like Charlie go on with his miserable life? In such cases I can't ask any breeder or whomever. At least we had ade a great choice, although he has his problems.

Christina, I know we are having a hypothetical discussion here about you adding a dog to your pack. And since you inquired about buying a dog, I answered above as if you would be buying a young dog from a breeder (and as if this were happening in the U.S. or Canada, for which I apologize.)

However, I believe there ARE reputable breeders in Brazil. Maybe you're just not looking in the right places? Have you ever attended a dog show? I'm not suggesting that everyone who attends dog shows is above reproach, but that would be a place to start if you want to talk to people who have a particular interest in whatever breed or breeds you are thinking about. I honestly don't know if Brazil has something like the American Kennel Club, where they maintain a registry of all purebred dogs, but I'm sure there must be breed clubs, and most of them (here, anyway) maintain a breeder's referral list.

Adopting dogs from the street or rescuing in any other way is a whole different topic. Oftentimes, the history of these dogs is unknown. I am very much in favor of rescue and adoption, but it does come with its own set of issues that should be carefully considered. I think it's wonderful that you saved Charlie.

Again, I believe we are having a hypothetical discussion here about what might happen in the future if something happens to one of your dogs; but in all honesty, I have to suggest that you not even think about bringing another dog into your pack as long as you own the aggressive one that has been the subject of a few of your recent threads.

My above description is also how I determine whether I will take in a shelter dog as a Foster as well. I have certain standards that I won't compromise - the safety of my resident dogs is considered paramount.

 Quote: Cheri Grissom

 Quote: Candi Campbell

OMG, I'm way too much of a Control Freak myself to allow anyone else to select which puppy will be my Personal Companion for the next 10-15 years, LOL -- I know my own needs well, and I do my own puppy temperament testing of the litter...

I could see a collaborative effort between the breeder and buyer if the buyer is someone the breeder knows well...

...A reputable, ethical breeder will have a waiting list before the litter is even born, and will place the puppies according to what they feel is the best fit for each potential buyer, based on their lifestyle and plans for the puppy...

Yes, and I have only ever bought any puppy from a breeder with whom I have already established a strong relationship (at the very least by trustworthy recommendations and lengthy correspondence / phone calls, and most frequently through longtime association or a number of personal visits) -- Then comes the time-consuming process of getting on their waiting-list until a mutually agreed upon puppy becomes available ... But the final choice of an individual pup is always mine, obviously with the breeder's consent, a collaborative endeavor as you say

Did I already mention that I'm a Control Freak, much (?) LOL