Erika K. wrote:
I use the methods described by Pat Hastings in her "Puppy Puzzle" video and books. According to her, at 3 days prior to 3 days after 8 weeks, puppies are little miniatures of what they will look like as adults. She also describes methods to choose based on personality. That's why some show breeders often will not place any pups until they are 8 weeks of age or older.
When choosing an older pup for show, I want to wait until they were 10 months if possible. That's when the bite is set and they are pretty close to full grown, though not yet mature fully. (This is just my opinion, but I suspect that this is why many judges are reluctant to put up pups for points. They are just not mature enough to know for sure what they will end up looking like.)
Pretty much ditto what Erika said, always with our standard as the main Focus. You also have an idea of what you are looking to add to your program, What you need to improve on, changes, make better, etc. Every generation should be better then the last, otherwise your program is going in reverse! Good example is Marilyn's litter. I originally kept both Lefty & Sizzle. Sizzle being a female, needed to ultimately be better then her mother, which she turned out not. She was a very finishable bitch and probably would have been wonderful addition for someone else's program but because she was not BETTER then Marilyn I did not keep her. So she's a spoiled lil couch potato in a wonderful home! Lefty on the other hand.... Just gorgeous!
