Puppy VS Adult Behavior

[hogdog]

Was wondering if anyone has noticed a correlation between how a puppy acts in the litter compared to how it acts when it's an adult. For example, the most aggressive puppy being the most aggressive out of the litter when its fully mature and vice versa. Another example: The most lazy puppy growing up to be the most drivey one out of the litter. Your guys' inputs would be greatly appreciated.

[Badboy Kennel]

Me my self I love raisin pups,that is truly the way to go.I believe it's all in how you raise them.if you keep them away from people and crated up then 9 time out of 10 you will raise shy dog.If you ride them and walk 2 maybe 3 times a week with a little flirt poling then he should grow to be a very active bulldog.I've had no problems when I do it this way.

[Officially Retired]

I totally agree that how you raise them is important, but I disagree that it's "all" in how you raise them.

Their genetics are the biggest determining factor, that is why breeding is so important. For an extreme example, all the sled-pulling in the world isn't going to make my dog into a Husky :lol: ... and all the early-rolling in the world isn't going to make a Husky into a bulldog :mrgreen:

That said, you *can* mold dogs in either a positive, or a negative, direction through upbringing ... within whatever genetic limitations they have.

Jack

[Badboy Kennel]

I totally agree that how you raise them is important, but I disagree that it's "all" in how you raise them.

Their genetics are the biggest determining factor, that is why breeding is so important. For an extreme example, all the sled-pulling in the world isn't going to make my dog into a Husky :lol: ... and all the early-rolling in the world isn't going to make a Husky into a bulldog :mrgreen:

That said, you *can* mold dogs in either a positive, or a negative, direction through upbringing ... within whatever genetic limitations they have.

JackI agree the blood has to be there as well.

[hogdog]

Thanks for contributing to the thread guys but youre not really answering the question.

[hogdog]

another example: when watching puppies play together in there pen at a young age, did you notice the ones who would hit certain areas would have similar styles to how they played when they were young compared to when they matured?

[R2L]

Short answer, it can be but no.

[EWO]

In the working dog world there are tests that are pretty accurate in determining which puppies have what it takes to enter the working dog world. Bulldogs can be tested just the same for some of those same characteristics. Just one example is that with the entire litter of puppies is in a room and not paying attention to you, just being puppies, throw a set of keys on the floor amongst them. The positive sign is for the pup to notice the keys and then go to investigate. The negative would be to cower down and run away from the noise. This same test would be used to identify the outgoing confident pup vs. the shy one.
For me, it has two kickers. Kicker one is that their raising and their enviroment can trump either puppy test conclusion just the same with the working dog. The next kicker is 'game' can come from any dog with any characteristic. The shy dog can avoid people but get it done in the box. And the opposite is true as well, the aggressive puppy may find out this is not the life he thought it would be. And every combination in between is possible.

My best example would be in the show world. Puppies can be deemed show quality vs. pet quality at 8 -10 weeks old. A smaller percentage of pet quality dog will mature into show quality dogs, but odds are they are neutered for their pre-determination as a puppy, so improving upon this dog is an imposibillity. A larger percentage of the dogs deemed show quality fall apart as yearlings and someone has spent $$$$ for a non show animal.

But yes, traits/characteristics as an eight week old puppy can be used as a direct link to what you will have as an 2 or three year old, both good and bad. The truest test is time. So these puppy characteristics/traits are not the end all/be all of choosing puppies. After that babbling, there is a correlation between puppy hood and adulthood, it is not an absolute, and once the correlation is established, the game factor can be like the trump card either way. EWO

[FrostyPaws]

I keep my dogs away from damn near everyone except for me and about 4 people, and I don't have any shy dogs. What I do have are dogs that don't like strangers, and I'm ok with that piece of their genetic code flourishing. Over the years of raising the dogs I've raised, I've noticed some correlation between pups and adulthood with some of them, but certainly not all of them.

[EWO]

I am in the same boat as well. My son and I are the only ones that ever come into contact with my dogs. Mostly it is me, but he does rake and feed when I need him to do so. I have had only a couple of shy dogs over the years and I did not raise either of them. One was a female that had produced multiple winners and when her owner got out I ended up with her. I went to pick her up and we had to pull her out of the box. If this bitch did not have the production track record I would have walked away. She might lay in the sun when no one was out there but other than that she was in the barrel. Like "Chosen Solitary Confinement". Of the dogs I kept off her I never had a shy one. What caused her to be this way I never knew. EWO

[evolutionkennels]

I don't like the shy gene and breed away from it regardless of box quality. Imo it is an insecurity. I watch and watch and watch and watch puppies, and I have really developed a knack for picking. They three puppy traits I look for in order of importance are, "happy go lucky attitude" that is the one that runs up to the cage each time with tail wagging, barking and crying for attention. 2. Body structure, 3. Dominance over littermates. This is just my opinion. The happy tail wagging puppy is most confident. With a good structure and dominant attitude, that's how I pick them. The shy one that kicks ass, he is kicking ass out of fear. Big difference. That's my two cents. Oh, and I socialize with humans as much as I can. More socialized makes a smarter dog. A smarter dog finds a way to win.

[EWO]

Well said Evo. I am not a shy dog person either. I too am looking for that pup that takes charge and leads the way to the end of the run. I like the one who has to be the center of attention. I like structure as well. The bitch I had I had nothing to do with her as a pup or as a yearling. They told me in the box she was solid. I ended up with her as a five year old with three litters off her and winners in all three. I took her on a deal when her owner got out of the dogs. She produced some nice dogs for us and none of them were shy. Maybe her shyness was enviromentally induced vs. genetically. No clue.
It is another topic altogether but I have always been amazed at what people look for in a puppy and that decision making process. I remember years ago I use to hear they had to be separated at 6 weeks. I laughed. I seen the puppy stuff but had never seen a six week old with serious long lasting intent. I try to not use names but we bred a heavy bred redboy female (from the redb0y dogs that made Mr. Bulldog and Ch. Britches) to a buck bred male (the dogs that made the Boy and shybaby dogs) and I swear there were two males in that litter that at five to six weeks old would take hold like grown dogs and would not stop. It was like I got a three pound six week old puppy that is open to the world, and his brother too. Since then I put a little more credence into the separation eval. EWO