When our puppies are eight weeks of age, we evaluate them for structure and temperament. This means that we spend time watching them move and determine their physical strong points and weaknesses. Conformation quality in a litter can vary widely, as can the depth of such quality.
Our first priority is the happiness and well-being of the puppy. Often, we will place what we feel could be a show prospect in a pet home, just because it's a really good fit.
There is no such thing as the "perfect dog." Every dog, even top the champions, and every puppy, has at least one fault. Some have more, and each fault comes in varying degrees, from minor to major. If a puppy has one or more major physical faults, that pup will only be sold on limited registration, which means it is not to be bred, as its faults would prevent it from being successful in the show ring, and should not be passed on to the next generation. It doesn't necessarily mean that the puppy in inferior in any way, just that this puppy should not be bred in the future.
In any given litter, there might be one or two puppies that have only minor faults, and on the whole appear to be very balanced, correct individuals. These puppies are either sold on full registration to serious competitive show homes, or we keep them for our future breeding program after completing AKC championship. Most puppies fall in between the two ends, having perhaps a noticeable fault, but also possessing many good traits as well. These puppies we sell on limited registration.