I went and visited my ACD puppy-to-be yesterday, she is 6 1/2 weeks old. Of course, all the puppies are adorable. Some seemed extremely rambuncous...biting the fence and hands... but the puppy I have picked was hanging out by herself, sort of playing with a stick.

I asked the breeder if she was ok, she said the puppies had been playing all morning and that one just pooped out first. She did come over when I called her, and when I picked her up she was very laid back, didn't struggle or bite, just licked my face (they were all pretty mellow when I picked then up, they get handled a lot). She even let me cradle her on her back. I brought a little squeaky tug toy to play with them, and she did play with it (she didn't tug it). The breeder did say that when the puppies are eating, she will growl at the other puppies if they get near her food.

My question is, how old does a puppy need to be for temperment testing? Can I assume any traits at this point or is she too young to have definite tendencies? She didn't seem shy or submissive, more like "aloof", kind of doing her own thing. I'm not really worried about the "food aggression" because that will be nipped in the bud immediatly when she gets here, but does it mean something at this age? I am going to be bringing her home next weekend, so I will get to compare her temperment to the others again. I am more concerned with a submissive dog, as ACD's are supposed to be very sure of themselves. I met dad (mom lives in another city) and several of the other dogs and they all had wonderful temperments.

Also, since she will be just under 8 weeks when I get her, do you think it is reasonable to ask the breeder not to give her her first set of shots (she gives a 7 in 1). I can take her to the vet the following week for her first check up and her parvo/distemper shot.

Thanks

I'm no expert - but I do have a recent experience I thought I'd share.

My breeder temperament tests her puppies at 7 weeks old. During her last temperament test, she actually had 2 litters on the ground, one comprising of only one pup (my pup) who was a week and a half younger than the other puppies. She temperament tested him at the same time, though. The results for the other puppies were pretty accurate, but my puppy is almost the opposite of what the test indicated. She did the test several times, and had it done on one occasion by a local trainer whose results were almost identical to her own results. She wasn't sure why the results were so off on my puppy, but we wondered if age had something to do with it.

So, I don't know the answer to your age question - but I'd guess 7 or 8 weeks, 7 weeks is probably more popular because puppies often go home at 8 weeks.

As for the vaccinations, it depends on your breeder. I'm sure that some would respect your wishes, while others would not (and might even be irritated that you asked). It probably partly depends on how open-minded the breeder is - after all, if she's giving a 7 in 1 shot she's probably not aware of the risks.


Just my thoughts.

Hi,

Heather, I wonder since your pup was an "only child" if that had anything to do with it? Knowledgeable dog people, what do you think?

I am fortunate enough to be near someone with a lot of experience in schutzhund. She told me that male pups mature later than female pups and should be temperament tested at 7 1/2 weeks.

Carolyn

Carolyn, did she say when female pups should be tested?

7 weeks.

Thanks Mike. Any tips on what to look for? This isn't a GSD (she's an ACD) and wont be a PPD, she's a pet, but I do want a good watch dog.

Don't know anything about the ACD breed really and I'm no expert on selection testing by any means. I'd just watch the litter and see which pup seems to be enthusiastic to be with people, friendly, confident, tail wagging alot, explores new objects thrown into the pen, fat from being a pig with lotsa food drive etc. I also hear the Volhard tests are good, don't know much about them though and don't know how applicable they are to ACD's, but I'd like to research those more myself.

I agree with MJS to temperament test the litter at 7 weeks of age -- Sounds like the ACD you're interested in may possibly be less drivey than her littermates (that's a good thing for a house pet, IMHO)...