A personal post from Anne Carlson, Jiminy’s Founder:
As many of you know, I lost my big dog, Timber, a few months ago. It was extremely hard. We’re all missing Timber’s presence in our life (especially Tuco, our lab-mix). Timber was an amazing dog – fun, loving and a bit goofy.
I’m finally feeling ready to think about bringing a new dog into our family. I’ve decided that I’d like to get a puppy because I think it will be the best scenario for Tuco. I also like the idea of training a puppy from the beginning (and perhaps getting a helping hand from our good friend and advisor Ian Dunbar who knows all things dog).
Today I visited a family whose dog had an unexpected litter. The mom is a Great Dane named Inky and the dad is a Great Pyrenees named Pilot. Yes, these will be big dogs. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love giant dogs – so this is actually a great fit for me. My husband also loves Great Danes (they are one of the sweetest breeds on the planet, so it makes sense).
For anyone thinking about getting a puppy, picking the right breed (or mix as in our case) is a really good starting place. For instance, if you have a quiet indoor life, an active outdoor loving dog is probably not the best choice. However, if you love to be outdoors – hiking, exploring, etc. – an active dog is a great fit! I won’t get into lifestyle / breed pairings – you can do that yourself.
Instead, what I’d like to talk about is once you are ready to adopt, what to think about and do when choosing a puppy. This is especially important when you’re choosing from a big litter. And guess what? The litter I visited today had TEN PUPPIES! That’s a lot of wriggle to evaluate.
So, what did I do?
Well, I started with a mindset that I could leave without picking one of these puppies. Actually, my husband made me promise that I would walk away if it wasn’t right. I also decided that this was not about what the puppy looked like or which sex. For us, it is about picking a puppy with the right behavioral signs (as best you can tell when the puppy is this young). Picking a dog based on its personality and behavior has always worked for me in the past. So, here’s what I look for:
Socialization
- Observe how each puppy interacts with littermates (this means that you need to contain your excitement and stand back to observe - truly one of the hardest steps). They should play nicely, snuggle with each other and pick up on signals from their littermates. For instance if they bit too hard and their littermate yelps, they should back off rather than attack harder.
- Watch their reaction to new people (you). I like it when the puppy watches you and is interested in what you are doing.
- I always start with observation and then take the puppies out individually to see if they will interact with me or even follow me. That’s a good sign!
Energy & Temperament
- Look for a puppy that's neither the most dominant nor the most submissive. A really good test is to pick the puppy up and then flip him or her over onto their back. They will likely squirm a bit, but then settle down nicely and look at you.
- Watch for one that recovers quickly from being startled. You can drop something near them and see what they do.
- Notice which puppies seem curious vs. fearful of new things. I love it when they watch and cock their head.
- Observe their activity level - does it match what you're looking for?
Simple Tests You Can Do
- Call the puppy from a short distance - does it come to you?
- Gently roll the puppy on its back - does it struggle violently or accept handling?
- Drop a non-scary object nearby - how does it react?
- Touch their paws and ears - do they accept handling?
Today I encountered an obstacle that I wasn’t expecting. All of the puppies were super tired. It was basically naptime. Luckily, I came prepared with a few items that helped get the puppy’s attention and wake them up enough to evaluate. I brought a squeaky toy and training treats – both got their attention and kept them awake long enough to evaluate! A side benefit of bringing treats is that you can see whether the dog is food motivated – if yes, they are usually a bit easier to train.
After all that, when I’ve narrowed the choice down to one or two puppies, I always try to look at their physical health indicators. Here’s a few things to look at:
- Clear, bright eyes without discharge
- Clean ears without redness or odor
- Healthy pink gums and no bad breath
- Clean, shiny coat without bare patches or excessive scratching
- No potbelly (could indicate worms)
- No limping or apparent joint issues
- Normal breathing without coughing or wheezing
All of the puppies that I looked at today seemed healthy and happy. The family with the dogs had children who had clearly spent a lot of time with the puppies. I think this is also a great sign that the puppy has been well socialized!
Meeting the Puppy's Parents
This isn’t always possible, but if the mom and dad are there, it is always great to see what they are like. If the mom and dad are sweet and friendly, I take it as a good sign! I also like to look at them from a health perspective – do they look healthy? They should.
Both of the parents were there today. They were incredibly sweet dogs. Both were extremely gentle (they call these kinds of dogs Gentle Giants for a reason).
If you do happen to be working with a breeder, there are a lot more questions to ask. Google the breed to find specific health questions to ask.
Adopting from a Rescue
Choosing to adopt a rescue puppy isn't just a choice - it's a life-changing decision that impacts both the dog and your family. Here's why rescue adoption is the most incredible way to bring a furry friend home:
Incredible Impact of Rescue Adoption:
- Saves a life directly - Each adopted puppy means one less dog in shelters
- Breaks the cycle of puppy mill breeding
- Provides a second chance to a vulnerable animal
- Often more cost-effective than purchasing from breeders
- Typically includes initial veterinary care and vaccinations
Myth-Busting Rescue Puppy Facts:
- Rescue dogs are NOT damaged goods
- Many are young, healthy, and eager to love
- Professional shelters carefully assess dog temperaments
- You can find purebreds and amazing mixed breeds
- Puppies and adult dogs both need loving homes
Adopting from a Breeder
Some people are looking for very specific breed characteristics for their lifestyle. In this case, a breeder might make sense for you. It is important to pick a responsible breeder.
What Makes a Responsible Breeder:
- Limited, carefully planned litters
- Health-tested parent dogs
- Allows multiple visits before adoption
- Provides complete medical records
- Offers lifetime breed support
- Committed to puppy's lifelong well-being
- Breeds to improve breed standards
Red Flags to Avoid:
- Puppy mills
- Multiple concurrent litters
- No health documentation
- Won't let you meet parent dogs
- Unwilling to answer detailed questions
So, how did it all turn out?
So, you might be wondering how this turned out. Well, I fell in love with the puppies very quickly and I did like one of them a lot.
