Does anyone understand this? - Page 2

I'm with you Animules.  With my latest dog, the breeder expressed opinion on which would be best for sport, etc., but in the end it was my decision.

S Vargas,  I have heard that too,  However I lend it no credibility what so ever.  2 cases in point,  2 of our females are from litters of 3 Both of them have had litters of 9.

Yes, I have heard (and seen) that the females from large litters also tend to HAVE large litters.  Not always the case for sure, as so many variables can come into play.  But this is ONE of the many reasons people may ask about litter size.  If someone is looking at 3 pups from a litter of four, they don't seem nearly as picked over and passed over as a litter of say 12.  The other reasons listed above are valid as well, and to be certain why a particular buyer is aksing that question, you would probably have to asnwerthe question, and then ask them why they wanted to know.  As for "pick pups" going first or last, it has been my observation over the years that MY pick may be entirely different from the buyer's pick, and usually IS.  Many times the last pup here was actually the best pup, passed over by several buyers because they were not exactly what that person wanted.. too dark, too light, ears weren't up yet , testicles weren't down yet (yes, at 8 weeks they expected ears to be erect and testicles fully descended ...hahaha) too drivey, not drivey enough, not as cute in the face... or the buyer simply picked the pup that picked out the buyer and followed them everywhere when they came to visit.  Several times I've sent my pick pups out last, at 10-12 weeks, with booming success in their new homes.  There are numerous reasons why people will ask the number of pups in a litter. 

i've never had a breeder tell me i couldn't pick out the pup i want.  and i'm talking national and world class competing kennels. i have only once LET a breeder pick my pup and that was because it was shipped from the other side of the country and then only because these were national competitors that knew exactly what i wanted and i knew they would send me exactly what i asked for. if i thought they wouldn't i would have made the trip. i know best  what to look for in the pup i want. whether it be a gsd or one of the other working breeds i've delt with. every responsible breeder i've ever dealt with has given the run down on the litter to me as i looked at them and i took that into account when i was making MY final selection. if a breeder wouldn't let me choose the pup i wanted from the litter (minus the one they  plan to keep themselves of course) i would just pass in that litter. i don't see the problem with letting someone who knows what they are doing with the breed be able to pick there own pup. again that's if indeed they TRULY  know what they are doing. and most often it only takes 2 or 3 question on the breeders part to find this out.

I have asked that question in the past, of breeders that I was considering purchasing a puppy from and I have to say that it was mostly curiosity and maybe a little fishing for info.  If the litter was only two pups, you would assume they were both very healthy when born, both given a lot of attention during their early weeks, neither one really a "runt" of the litter, etc.  A large litter would tend to indicate the opposite to an average buyer. Also, what has always intrigued me, are the littermates of a pup I might get, and where they end up.  I am always keeping an eye out for siblings of the pups I purchased from overseas.  Just curiosity mostly.

as i am a pet buyer/owner, i think people ask that with a bias towards any pup(s) "leftover" from the 1st selections. the assumption being that any leftover pups might not be as good, etc. ALOT of people (my husband included) are attracted by looks first. well, we all are probably, but i read up as much as i could and i kept stressing to him that Temperment was the important issue, regardless of whether its for pet or show or working. you want the correct temperment for your needs. we got the perfect dog for us, he's sweet and funny and has low drive. he's not a total couch potato, but he's not a working dog by any stretch of the imagination. if he hadn't been in the litter (and we had first choice male) and no other "pet" quality was in that litter, we would have waited. my husband has learned to not "fall in love" w/a pups looks (although our pup is beautiful) but the joy is in his fit w/our family. we were'nt looking for a long coat and mostly black dog, but i wouldn't change him for anything else. someday in the future i'll rely on a good breeder to steer me to the right pup again, no matter how many pups were in the litter and no matter if the pup is the first or last to go. for those of you who are breeders, stick to your guns regarding what pup is appropriate for who. i support a gsd rescue and i believe alot of the dogs are just mismatched from the "getgo". we would be overwhelmed w/a hi-drive working dog and some people would have sold us one in a heart beat. know your customers and educate us when we need it.

Just from dealing with pet people at the vet clinic.  I think that those people just like to know.  Most of the time when people come in with a new puppy they say he was from a litter of such and such.  And there was only so many left when we got there or was the runt of the litter.