Choosing a puppy based on personality can be tricky. Here are some insights from my years of experience:

The Unexpected Choice

Years ago, before health concerns limited puppy interactions, we often had families play with puppies in an area under our porch. One memorable visit involved:

• A lady interested in Terrier mix puppies
• Another lady looking at purebred Maltese

Surprisingly, while the Terrier mix puppies were shy, a Maltese puppy ran to the Terrier-seeking lady, climbing into her lap and winning her over instantly. This shows how a puppy's personality can unexpectedly charm potential owners.

Intelligence vs. Friendliness

The Maltese puppy's friendliness didn't necessarily indicate intelligence. In contrast, one of the shy Terrier mixes was later purchased by a deaf couple who successfully taught it 25 different hand signs!

Observing Puppy Behavior

People often spend considerable time trying to determine a puppy's personality. Some things to keep in mind:

1. Video behavior: Many of our puppy videos are taken after baths, which can make puppies shiver and seem less active.
2. Camera shyness: More intelligent puppies might shy away from cameras, while others may not react at all.
3. Personality vs. reaction: A puppy's reaction to a camera doesn't necessarily reflect its overall personality.

Remember, each puppy is unique, and their behavior in a single interaction may not represent their true personality or potential.

When looking for a small dog, many people ask about "teacup puppies." However, the term "teacup" is ambiguous and can be misleading. Let's clarify what to consider when seeking a small puppy.

In today's society, many people rely on medical treatments to solve health problems in both puppies and humans. However, there may be a better approach. 

As someone who has raised puppies for over 40 years, I've observed that wild dogs and humans living primitive lifestyles tend to be healthier. Why? Because our dogs are exposed to products that can harm their health over time, and we often turn to pharmaceutical treatments instead of addressing the root causes.