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How to Choose a Puppy from a Litter (Or Let a Puppy Choose You!)
Updated: Feb 26
One of the most exciting parts of bringing home an English Cream Golden Retriever is choosing your puppy. At SDG Goldens, our puppies will go home to their new families at 8 weeks, but we help families select their puppies at 6 weeks old, after their first vet visit. While many people wonder how to pick the “right” puppy, the truth is—there isn’t a single perfect choice. In fact, science has shown that temperament changes with experience, meaning a puppy’s personality at 6 weeks will continue to develop based on environment, training, and socialization.
So, rather than stressing about which puppy to pick, we encourage families to enjoy the process! You might choose a puppy because you love their collar color, litter name, or simply feel a connection—and that’s perfectly okay! Our puppies tend to have very similar temperaments, and no matter which one you choose, you’re getting a loving, well-socialized, and adaptable companion.
1. Science Shows That Temperament Evolves
Many people ask whether they should pick a puppy based on personality traits seen at 6 weeks. While early personality assessments can give some insight into tendencies, science has proven that temperament is shaped by life experiences. For example, a confident puppy could become more reserved in a low-stimulation home, while a quieter puppy could grow into a bold, adventurous dog with the right socialization. However, some traits tend to stay consistent, including:
✔ Food motivation – Puppies who love treats will always find training more rewarding.
✔ Scent drive – Strong scenting ability is an important trait for service dogs.
✔ Exploration curiosity – Puppies that naturally explore may grow into confident adult dogs.
So while personality is not set in stone at 6 weeks, certain natural tendencies may give insight into a puppy’s future strengths.
2. Picking a Puppy Can Be as Simple as Loving a Name or Collar Color
Many families overthink the puppy-picking process, but the truth is—most puppies will adjust beautifully to their new home. Often, families pick a puppy because:
✔ They love the color of their collar
✔ They feel a special connection when holding a specific pup
✔ They adore the litter name we gave them
✔ One puppy just happens to catch their eye first
And that’s completely fine! In most cases, the puppy that stands out to you will become the perfect fit simply because you’ll bond with them more quickly. At SDG Goldens, our puppies are raised with Puppy Culture, which helps create confident, adaptable, and socialized dogs. Because of this, there’s very little variation in temperament across our litters—so you really can’t go wrong!
3. Boy or Girl? It Doesn’t Really Matter!
Another common question we get is “Should I get a boy or a girl?” The short answer is it doesn’t make a huge difference!
✔ English Cream Golden Retriever males and females have very similar personalities
✔ Both are sweet, affectionate, and loving companions
✔ Training and environment play a much bigger role in personality than gender
Some people have personal preferences—some think boys are cuddlier, while others believe girls are easier to train—but in reality, both genders are equally wonderful family pets. When choosing, go with your heart, not the gender!
4. When Does Picking Truly Matter?
While pet homes don’t need to stress over selection, picking is much more important for service or working dogs. Service dog candidates often need:
✔ Higher scent drive for medical detection or tracking work
✔ Extremely strong focus and engagement with their handler
✔ Calm but confident personality to handle public access training
At SDG Goldens, we always let service dog homes pick first to ensure they get a puppy with the traits needed for their specialized training. For pet homes, there’s really no wrong choice—your puppy will grow into a wonderful companion regardless of which one you pick!
5. The Only Exception: A Timid Puppy
The only situation where we might steer a family away from a specific puppy is if one were overly timid. A highly timid puppy might need a home with experience in building confidence through appropriately tailored training and socialization. Thankfully, we’ve never had an overly timid puppy, and the likelihood of one appearing in our litters is extremely low since we raise them with Puppy Culture. This early training method helps shape confident and well-adjusted puppies, ensuring that all of our pups are ready for family life.
6. Trust the Process & Enjoy Picking Day!
Instead of worrying about making the “perfect” choice, enjoy the experience! Your Golden Retriever puppy will become the dog you shape them to be through love, training, and socialization. No matter which puppy you choose, you’re getting a sweet, loving, and well-adjusted companion that will bring joy to your family for years to come.
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