puppy selection

[trekmoor]

I came across a thread on a U.S. forum about selecting a gundog pup. One post came up with the idea that if you want a non yapper and non whiner as an adult dog you should spend a good bit of time just looking quietly at the litter and reject the pups most prone to being noisy.

I think I may have already been doing this without consciously realising it. I never take a pup that seems to like to yap. Do any of you have any thoughts on this ?

Wullie

[Hepe]

I came across a thread on a U.S. forum about selecting a gundog pup. One post came up with the idea that if you want a non yapper and non whiner as an adult dog you should spend a good bit of time just looking quietly at the litter and reject the pups most prone to being noisy.

I think I may have already been doing this without consciously realising it. I never take a pup that seems to like to yap. Do any of you have any thoughts on this ?

Wullie

Yep, i think that is very sensible way to go. I think I've written before about a mongrel litter i had (yes very accidental and yes the bitch was spayed after) where my very very quiet lab was the sire and my very whiny springer was the dam. I could rather early single out the pups which would become restless whiners as their dam and the ones who took after their sire. Of course there were a few being a mix of both dogs too, getting the best from each of them, that's the pup i would like to get if able to choose. Of course it was easier to see the different traits as it was a compete out cross of two breeds and quite different temperament on the parents. As there is a limit to the time you as buyer can sit and stare at a litter someone else bred i prefer to trust the breeder in this and specifically ask for what i want to see (or not see) in my pup. If you don't trust the breeder you shouldn't buy from them anyhow?

Helene

[Snicklefritz]

I came across a thread on a U.S. forum about selecting a gundog pup. One post came up with the idea that if you want a non yapper and non whiner as an adult dog you should spend a good bit of time just looking quietly at the litter and reject the pups most prone to being noisy.

I think I may have already been doing this without consciously realising it. I never take a pup that seems to like to yap. Do any of you have any thoughts on this ?

Wullie

I was very quiet as an infant...and look at me now...a pissin' and a moanin' about every little thing in my old age! My parents must have chose poorly

Snick

[Polmaise]

The Yapper could be more hungry than the others// or more greedy?
It could also be more dominant! or even more insecure'? through attention?
It could also be more confident showing strength throw vocal among siblings?
Maybe at the time of selection, with a strange thing like 'YOU'! or a red balloon has gone by, it howls or makes noise?...that dont make it different?...maybe just 'aware'?
Two years ago, I kept a whole litter of 7 !!
The quiet one 'squeaked'