Convince me that color doesn't matter (getting a puppy)

[DoomaYula]

Tomorrow I'm going to meet Joanna and Kate (the breeder), and I might come home with a puppy. I was originally promised "Ella" the adorable blue merle, but Kate isn't sure that her temperament suits someone with four kids and two other dogs. She scored with high drive on her temperament test. Kate wants me to consider buying "Hermione," the black female. Apparently she scored without high drive, or whatever.

Hermione is really cute, but I *really* wanted a blue merle. Kate had originally said that if I don't get Hermione, she would give me a puppy from her next litter, but now she's not planning to repeat the litter. She has told me that she can direct me toward other Cardi breeders, and Joanna is planning to breed Clue sometime in the fall, so those are also possibilities.

But I am going out there tomorrow and will meet all the puppies, and maybe I'll fall in love with Hermione. I don't know.

Thoughts?

[sagewinna]

I've learned the hard way that going for a specific color or look is often regretted later on when the personality doesn't suit! I've made a lot of work and stress for myself by falling for a prettier face.

I would trust the breeders assesment.

[mesa]

I have to say that if you absolutely have your heart set on a merle, then I would wait for the right puppy.

I also have to say, though, that you should keep an open mind! When I was waiting for Austin (he wasn't born yet) I was absolutely positive that I wanted a liver nose...I was all set to get a show boy from a co bred litter in Canada, an adorable liver, then the co breeder decided to place them all as pets locally. Then I met Austin, who is decidedly NOT a liver.

Just keep your heart open. And nobody's telling you that you can't have a merle later

[mesa]

and, omigosh, how incredibly LUCKY are you???

I would give my left kidney to meet those pups...let alone take one home!

[gealach]

I'm not sure what I'd do in that situation. I just wanted to give you a hug cause I am sure you are disappointed. But, I'm also SO glad that you have a breeder that doesn't want to send a pup to a home that she doesn't think will be the best fit. For what it's worth, I've been following the litter and I think that Hermione is adorable. I hope you get there and fall madly in love!

[Eman'smom]

Originally Posted by sagewinna

I would trust the breeders assesment.

Originally Posted by mesa

I have to say that if you absolutely have your heart set on a merle, then I would wait for the right puppy.

I agree with both of these. I've been following that litter and they are all yummy. See how she connects with you.

[Sailor]

Yes, I agree - trust the breeder. But, if your dead set on a color, then wait for the right dog.

In my experience, color makes no difference. I wanted a black GSD, wound up with the traditional brown/tan colors. But, it didn't make any difference to me in terms of the love I have for him, and the bond we share.

[Ola_]

Originally Posted by sagewinna

I've learned the hard way that going for a specific color or look is often regretted later on when the personality doesn't suit! I've made a lot of work and stress for myself by falling for a prettier face.

I would trust the breeders assesment.

I agree.

I know a few people who totally planned to get a dog of X colour because it was their favourite. But the right dog came along in a different colour, and now that is their favourite because they associate it with the great experiences they had with that dog. I certainly would put priority on temperament instead of colour - I think once you have the dog (as opposed to looking at photos) it will be much more important.

A high drive dog that you won't be treating as a working dog is just frustration, will drive you up the wall.

[DoomaYula]

Well, the other part of it is that she's told me she's too in love with Ella to let her go. And I think that may be playing more of a part in her decision than the fact that she attacked a towel when she was being evaluated.

My husband really wants me to wait for another litter but I'm going to go out there and keep an open mind. I'm bringing a soft dog crate and some other items, in case, and Kate has a health-check for me. She's also making me a cake -- tomorrow is my 30th birthday! Hopefully you'll see pics of me on Kate's and Joanna's blogs soon!

[greenmagick]

well, I got a color I liked, but I really preferred a different shaped head and ears that her sister had. I debated switching but kept coming back to temperment, which Ivy's matched for us much better. Now, after having her home, I am so glad I stuck with temperment over looks! She fits in so well and I truly couldnt have imagined how smooth the transition has been.

If you like black, then I would go for it. But, if its a pup you really dont like the looks of and you dont mind waiting for both the color and personality you want, then wait I think you will have a better idea once you meet them.

[SevenVeils]

Well, you should always choose for temperament, color is a bonus (or not).

However. If you really, really love merle, and you, knowing yourself as we can't, feel that your feelings for the dog will be impacted (and this is not a bad thing, just be honest with yourself)... then you should wait for another litter.

Personally, if I were you, I'd prefer to wait for a puppy out of Clue anyway. That's just me though, Clue always sounded so very special (and I know that part of is that she is Joanna's heart dog so that comes through in her writings of course), and while Bronte always sounded awesome too, Clue just sounds like a whole different ballgame. I also prefer Clue's looks (not just color).

And who knows, if you do wait for a Clue puppy, she might not get bred, or she might not throw any merles with the right temperament either.

I think that Hermione is adorable, and I'd love to have any dogs bred by Joanna. I've known my share of good breeders, and Joanna is just amazing. In every way.

[mesa]

Congratulations on the gorgeous baby!! You must be THRILLED :

[SevenVeils]

I just saw Joanna's blog- CONGRATULATIONS

[DoomaYula]

Thank you! Maizey was excellent on the plane rides, and I'll post more tomorrow about meeting Kate and Joanna -- and Clue, Bronte, Ginny (!!!!), Joanna's husband and youngest daughter.

It was like meeting celebrities.

Maizey is just as cute and adorable as the others, but Joanna deemed her the #2 female (after Stella) and said I should take her. I might even get to show her. At the least I want to do something like good citizen or rally or something.

Joanna warned me that Clue's litter will probably be small due to her accident, and much more expensive because she will be having a c-section. So she definitely couldn't guarantee me a blue merle.

If I can finish Maizey, maybe she will be bred one day and I can get a blue merle that way. After meeting all these cardis, I can say that I'm planning to stick with this breed!

[gealach]

Maizey is absolutely adorable! Congrats on your new little friend! : :