Puppies in any breed are divided into three categories:

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1. Show class. If you want to participate in dog shows, then you need a show class dog. If you are very serious about success, then you should try to buy an adult dog that is already successfully exhibiting. Until 9-12 months, no one will give you a guarantee that the puppy will grow up to be a show dog.The show class of the puppy means that the puppy has no pronounced faults or disqualifying defects at the time of sale. That is, he has all the teeth according to age, both testicles are lowered into the scrotum (in males), the correct bite, free movements, harmonious constitution and good temperament. The breeder evaluates the puppy at 8 weeks and can predict that this puppy will probably grow into a show dog. But no one can guarantee at this age how a dog will look and behave in adulthood. The bite can be spoiled due to trauma, insufficient or excessive load on the growing jaws. Teeth can suffer from infection, chewing on too hard objects. A puppy’s joints can deteriorate if he has an inappropriate load for his age at the time of growth, too slippery floors, jumping from a height will also harm. In the absence of daily socialization and show training, the dog will grow up to be cowardly or aggressive, and even beauty will not help win prizes at exhibitions. As we can see, a show dog is not only a puppy with a show perspective, it is also the daily painstaking work of the owner. A show dog is not always an upscale sire.

2.  Breed class. If you want to participate in breeding, then you need a dog without disqualifying vices and with at least one clear merit that you want to pass on to offspring and fix it in your lines. Pedigree is very important for choosing a puppy of a breed class, since only an animal obtained as a result of thoughtful linear breeding will pass on its qualities to offspring. 

Dogs in these two categories are sold with a main pedigree, however show class dogs may be marked “not for breeding” on the pedigree.

    3.   Pet class. If you just need a pet and you do not plan to participate in exhibitions or breeding, then a pet class puppy is suitable for you. These are, as a rule, puppies with exterior flaws that do not allow them to participate in exhibitions and breeding. Usually this is a fault in color, perhaps the puppy has an imperfect bite or a testicle has not descended. These shortcomings do not affect the health of the dog and its ability to be a true friend and delight its owners with beauty and quick wit. This category of puppies is sold with a limited pedigree.

 

When choosing a puppy, look at the condition of the keeping the bitch and litter. Lactating bitches tend to lose their fine coat, but the bitch should remain plump, healthy and alert. The place where the puppies are kept should be clean, spacious and bright. Healthy babies are mobile and playful, after two months they are firmly on their feet and well oriented in the room.

Regardless of what class of puppy you take - for exhibitions or just a pet, first of all, he must be healthy. Ask to see all the puppies, if possible, including those that are reserved, to make sure that the entire litter is healthy, active, energetic.

The puppy must have:

- ears - without discharge and redness,

- eyes - clean, without purulent discharge,

- coat - clean, thick, silky to the touch, without bald patches

- skin - clean, without redness, rash and dandruff

- nose - moist, without dry crusts and secretions (during sleep it can be dry and warm)

- mucous membranes of the gums and conjunctiva of the eye -  pink

Puppies' bellies should not be too sunken or bloated: a bloated belly may indicate a worm infestation. Pay attention to the movements of the puppies: puppies should move freely, not limp.

When buying a puppy remotely, in another city or country, be sure to ask the breeder to show via video link how the puppy moves, plays, communicates with people - not on record, but online. Ask to see all the puppies and the one you have chosen. Buying a puppy only based on beautiful photos can turn into a problem when in reality you get something completely different from what you expect.

Even in a well-bred litter, where all the puppies are fit, well-fed and healthy, no two puppies are the same. Not to mention exterior differences and possible show prospects, puppies also differ in character, which is most important for the future owner. The Internet is filled with stories about how “our puppy chose us right away”, and these are usually stories about a long and happy life together. It must be understood that disappointments, when the purchase of the first puppy that reached the buyer was not so successful, are shared much less frequently.

Choosing a puppy should be meaningful, not letting emotions blind you. Moreover, if the environment of the puppies looks bad or the puppies look unhealthy, you should not go on about your feelings and take a puppy from this litter out of pity in order to save it from a negligent breeder.