"T. Stewart" wrote in message
news:TUMKe.194487$s54.9162@pd7tw2no...

Our question for the collective brain is: how important is it for the new
owners (us) to see the two puppies and choose them? Is it ok if the
breeder
chooses a puppy for us? How important is the generally accepted 8 weeks
old
timeline?

12 weeks is still very young, so there really shouldn't be any issues with
the puppy bonding with you and your husband - in fact, most adult dogs bond
to new owners within a reasonable period of time. The breeder knows the
puppies and by 12 weeks, their temperament and personality should have
developed to the point that you can get an expectation of what they will be
like as adults. So, she should be able to determine if one is right for you.
My only concern would be that the breeder has taken steps over the past few
weeks to socialize the puppies. Are these puppies kennel raised, or raised
in a home? Is this a working or show home? I would be hesitant to take a
puppy that had spent their first three months in a kennel, with only
mom/littermates to spend time with. However, if the breeder has raised these
pups in her home, and has socialized them to new sights/sounds/people/dogs
etc. then they should be fine in new pet homes.

Christy