Puppy VS Adult Behavior

[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