Gundog Training Forum

I think Nick has a point, I know the books say the pup that comes to you is just the forward, pushy one but the two very best dogs I have had have been the two that came to me. Of course it could just be that I get on better with pushy dogs!

What I found most surprising and really did made me think was that one dog pup was not quite as bold as the rest, not nervy just not bothered about seeing people, he had been sort of picked from film, when they came to look at the pups at 6 weeks old he appeared to quite deliberately push his way through the others to see them and say hello, the only time he did. I was very surprised and told them so and why, their response was "Well that's sorted then isn't it - he is ours!". He has settled into his new home very well.
I have always picked a bold confident pup but I am more and more pondering if they did pick me!

Ours wasn't a pup per se but I will have my two peneth.....never had a dog decided to get one, rang a pal who had a pal with a six month cocker bitch he had from a pal who bred her. First dog we went to see, he brought her in the house for first time ever, she hadn't been touched by anyone other than the chap the breeder and a vet, she was all over the wife then came to say hello to me..... chap was reluctant to let her go but had too many so having satisfied himself that we were something like suitable she was allowed to adopt us as her new owner.......what a journey

A few years after picking the pup ....I wish I had picked the other one

munstyman wrote: ↑Wed Dec 30, 2020 3:26 pm A few years after picking the pup ....I wish I had picked the other one

You don't mean that

I have raised a few litters of pups and usually kept one for myself. They have been some of the best dogs I ever had. Individual personalities start to show up as early as three weeks and over the next 4-5 weeks you get a pretty good sense of what type of dog each will grow be. As the result of this lesson I take the advice of the breeder very seriously. I try and articulate fully what I am looking for and then let them point me in the direction of the pup which most closely fits my description.

I value a calm sensible dog so never take the most aggressive pup in the litter but I also steer well away from any timid ones. I do a lot of research on the breeding so really probably any of the pups in the middling range of temperament in the litter will suit me fine.

Just choose the one that catches your eye, if it was as easy as everyone makes out everyone would get a top class dog every pick.

Personally I like the one who escapes first. Easy as that. Clearly not working for me