Last pick of the litter... Good? Bad? Doesn't matter?

[GoSailGo]

Well the magical day has finally come where the beautiful future mom I met 2 weeks ago finally had her pups. There is, however, a little glitch in my fairy tale. I was second in line for a girl, and there was only one girl born. I knew that would happen! There were 4 boys born, one boy not spoken for, so I said put me down for the last boy. The last pick of the litter. I know they'll all be special. So what does the last pick mean? Does it mean anything bad from a breeders or owners perspective? The only reason I requested a girl was because of the smaller size, but it really didn't matter to me. I'm just curious what you all think about that "last pick" or "the leftover pup"...cause he's mine. :P

I'm a little sad there weren't enough girls, but feel lucky I have the chance to own one of the pups regardless.

[onyx'girl]

The breeder should be matching each pup individually with what the prospective owner will be doing. One persons 'pick' may not be another's.
Best to let the breeder decide which place each pup ends up. If the breeder is letting the puppy buyers choose their pup, that would concern me/unless they are all so similar it wouldn't matter.

[Jag]

Also, if they're all spoken for at birth, I wouldn't be so concerned. When you have one pup left from a litter and the pup is over 8 weeks old, then I'd be concerned.

[Verivus]

Ideally pups should be given to homes based on how well the breeder feels they'd match. So ideally, being "last pick" shouldn't matter. But we don't live in an ideal world.

[GoSailGo]

Originally Posted by Jag

Also, if they're all spoken for at birth, I wouldn't be so concerned. When you have one pup left from a litter and the pup is over 8 weeks old, then I'd be concerned.

They were just born today, and theres people behind me interested in the boy if I didn't take him, so I guess when you put it like that he doesn't even sound like a "leftover." As long as he's a loving family dog and has 4 legs I'm happy. I'll just be the lone girl in the house!

[Verivus]

So does the breeder not do any temperament assessment before placing the puppies?

[GoSailGo]

Originally Posted by Verivus

So does the breeder not do any temperament assessment before placing the puppies?

Yes they'll be assessed at 6 weeks and she said she'd make recommendations to everyone about which puppies would best suit the people. I believe they still get the final say about which puppy they get to bring home though. Well the three boy's parents do. Not me or the person first in line for a girl.

[Verivus]

Thanks for clarifying.

[wolfy dog]

If the breeder matches the pups with the owners you might still have a chance for a girl if that puppy is a better match with you than the first person in line for a female pup.
Do you want a female only just because you are the only female in the family? If so you may also consider a male pup tat fits you well.

[msvette2u]

I'm just curious what you all think about that "last pick" or "the leftover pup"...cause he's mine. :P

It's not quite the same but...in rescue we get litters in and I've had people freak out that there's one left...a "leftover" and they are like, "What's wrong with it, that it's the last one...??" I really never know what to say!?
"It's ugly and nobody else wanted it..." doesn't seem to cut it... LOL

(hope you find that a bit humorous, of course we all know there are no ugly puppies!!)

Ps. I usually just say..."Well, one had to be last...!"