Puppy Pick Out Days... I pick... you... and you... and you.... and.... <3
Okay, so its always an exciting time here at the Pines on Puppy Picking Weekend!!!! After all its your new BFF.... you can’t wait to get collars, and dog bowls, and dog beds... leashes... squeaky toys... your already arranging play dates... and well... lets not forget puppy proofing.... :D Its certainly an experience, and will be a wonderful addition to your life for the next chapter of your journey. Here are a few hints and tips... ♥
About size: The parents - our studs are 80 to 90+ lbs the females are 68 - 80+ (there are so many variables on weight... (but our dogs are a bit on the thick side lol ) so the puppy you choose will most generally end up being in that range... at 4-5 weeks old, the largest/smallest puppy is larger/smaller because of several factors:
-- Gestational age: (each egg is not fertilized at the same time), we had a puppy that was born more than a day later than the rest of the litter, and we thought he would never make it as it was a large litter and he was late to the game! He is Mac (aka Elliott) he is currently the same size as all his litter mates! You can see photos of him on our FB feed living it up at the beach!
-- Litter size: A litter size of 8 or more is a large litter, puppies are generally born smaller because of their “in house/momma” accommodations. Then its every pup for himself, we will often try to supplement larger litters, however sometimes introducing foreign formulas can cause tummy upset and other issues, that can do more harm than good... and we really only like to supplement if we see puppies extra hungry or struggling... with larger litters “generally” there are a couple pups that are always at the bar... and so are generally larger... this is not an indicator they will be extra big adults... it just means... they manage to get to the bar first and stay there the longest... :) I had an uncle like that... and he was just your average sized dude...? lol.. Just kidding... :D. Our smallest litter of 3 puppies were born weighing over 2 lbs each and when they left were 20+ lbs.... they were out of Duke and Lady... and they matured to 80+ lbs.
-- The Runt: The smallest puppy is NOT the runt... a runt is a health challenged puppy, that often-had health issues since birth.... many may not survive the first 2 weeks of life due to debilitating health issues.
“Almost” everyone that arrives with the glazed over puppy look in their eyes... wants the biggest... WE have had our share of puppies here at the Pines... Gypsy was the biggest puppy of her litter, and she is my smallest female.... Holly was not the largest of the litter, I think I had third pick, and she was 90+ lbs even after having and feeding 13 puppies... Duke was a last pick... and nearly perfect conformation... did well at the shows... and weights 90+ lbs... excellent hips... etc... We see all sorts of picking strategies, snuggling... holding on their backs... trying to sort out which one is the softest... which one enjoys toe touching? lol...
There is no “wrong” choice...! You did your homework, the English Labradors temperament is playful, yet they know (of course once mature) when it is time to be calm, when you are sad, when you are happy, when you are going for car rides, when you are getting a midnight snack... and when you want to be left alone (well don’t count on the last one!! you will never have alone time again EVER !!!!) :)
Don’t be too overwhelmed with puppy picking day... and if you aren't the first or second pick.... don’t stress - I am here to say that we have seen more last picks go home that would have been our first pick the entire time! There is no wrong choice... ♥ So embrace it, and after its all over... rest assured, that the puppy you get will certainly be the one you were always meant to have. ♥
How it works....
If there are 6 girls... and you are 3rd pick... We have families come visit anytime during the meet and greet weekend, regardless of their order on the list... Everyone gets a form upon arrival, if they are 4th pick they will rank order their top 4 .. all puppies will be color coded ..
Once everyone has given me their rank orders - and once visits have concluded - we go through them and then sort out the order and the puppy each family will get... it sounds complex ... however its pretty easy... and generally the puppy picks you! We of course help in guidance as to which puppy is more reserved or outgoing... but they are puppies and labrador puppies are always friendly, outgoing and extra loving!
If there are 6 girls... and you are 3rd pick... We have families come visit anytime during the meet and greet weekend, regardless of their order on the list... Everyone gets a form upon arrival, if they are 4th pick they will rank order their top 4 .. all puppies will be color coded ..
Once everyone has given me their rank orders - and once visits have concluded - we go through them and then sort out the order and the puppy each family will get... it sounds complex ... however its pretty easy... and generally the puppy picks you! We of course help in guidance as to which puppy is more reserved or outgoing... but they are puppies and labrador puppies are always friendly, outgoing and extra loving!
- Please leave your pets at home, we love animals... but do not want to risk illness to any of our dogs or puppies.
