Picking a pup

[Clayton1977]

So I'm going to be (hopefully) picking a pup in the not too distant future, it will be my second dog so would be really good to get some tips from the experience on here as to what you normally look for in a pup. This thread will hopefully help others looking for their first or second gundog as well.

My limited knowledge so far:

- The breeding. Ideally a bitch that you like and matches your style with a complementary stud. Some say a lot of traits skip a generation, maybe get some feedback on that?

- health testing of the parents.

-health of the pups, checking for under/over bite, hernias and checking for two testicles in males.

- from my own experience I would never have the last born 'runt of the litter', after a bad experience with the health of a Lab when I was in my teens. But that's personal choice.

- I've been told you can't tell much about the pup at eight weeks but looking for one bold enough that it doesn't cower when clapping your hands and will happily come running to you when called enthusiastically is a good start.

- kc registered, docked and chipped seems to be the standard now. Dew claws if preferred by the breeder and without jabs (get them done by your own vet normally).

Any other advice? I'd love to hear any little golden nuggets of knowledge anyone has gained over the years!

[Springfield Pointers]

Don't believe the 'last born' hysteria. Have a look at the pups as they grow. Provided the Dam and Sire show to be giving what you want, then select a pup based on what you see on the ground. Me? I look at independence, curiosity, dark eyes and nose, and I like confidence in a dog.

[trekmoor]

Check the pups eyes for any signs of entropian or ectropian. Hernias are something I only worry about if they are large but if they are something that does worry you then do not buy.

I usually do a "retrieve test" .....even at 8 weeks old ! I kneel or squat beside the pup then bowl a small, white, knotted rag or scrunched up white paper bag along the ground where the pup can definitely see it. I want to see the pup go to it and pick it up. The pup does not have to actually retrieve it . If the pup chooses to gallop off with the article and then play with it , that's fine by me.

Most pups of just about any breed will pass this test so if a pup does not pick up the article I will not take that pup.

Make sure to study individual pups when the rest of the litter and the dam are not present, you may see a change in the pups degree of "boldness."

Wullie

[Judy]

Its personal preference but I like to see sturdy pups with good bone and, preferably a nice even litter without too much difference (size, shape) in the pups. Then I find the pups that come and interact with me seem to suit me best. Rumour has it they are the boldest so they may not suit everyone of course.

[munstyman]

Assuming that the bitch and dog on paper meet my criteria ( Lines, health tests, Nat. working ability ) I generally go and see the litter at three/four weeks to make an initial assessment and talk to the breeder about what they are seeing in the pups. I am lucky in that I know most of the breeders in my breed and know their lines and have seen their dogs work and/or pups from previous litters. I also trust their opinion more than if it was someone completely new, and they also know me and the `type' and temperament I generally go for.
At this first viewing I generally discount those pups I don't want ( dog/bitches/markings ) This gives me a short list or a `walk away' which helps the breeder with the puppy list. If one pup catches my eye I will pick it though, even at this early stage, you can't go against a strong gut instinct if you have one
Next viewing, although I'll have my shortlist I'll still cast my eye over the entire litter to get a gist of all the temperaments and general health of the litter as they all interact together. I will then concentrate on my shortlist and watch for those attributes I think are present and do a conformation assessment. I'll also pick the best dog and best bitch imo of the litter ( show) conformation wise just to keep my eye in, but I've yet to take them I value what's in their head a little more than how it sits on the shoulders in the show ring ( I'm being watched, so have to add my pups got such a pretty head too...still plenty of bubbles floating around between the ears though )
Rather than do artificial tests of retrieving, reactions to sound and other puppy `tests' I just sit and watch them play and let them react naturally to what is going on in the environment around them, you'll see what you need to see, everything else you can shape as a trainer.
If your new to puppy picking, then you should tell the breeder as much about yourself and what you want from the dog, and be HONEST. A good breeder wants what is best for their pups and will steer you towards the most suitable pup for you. Remember you will only see a snap shot of there behaviour in a couple of hourly visits, and the breeder will have seen them develop over eight weeks. That quiet pup sitting in the corner may just of had the big tit at the last feed
* probably should have put this right at the start, but it has not been an issue in the past, but the trend is getting a little silly now and I know its been mentioned here in the past. PRICE of the pup...I'm not stupid and not rich, I'll always have room for a dog but not at any price

[Dawnrazor]

I get my wife to pick them, if they turn out to be plugs I blame her.

[Clayton1977]

Cheers for the advice. I'll bring a small white handkerchief or something for the retrieve test and maybe try and get along early to have a look at the pups.

Has anyone got any thoughts on the whole 'some traits skip a generation' idea?

[Contender]

I get my wife to pick them, if they turn out to be plugs I blame her.

That's an excellent strategy and I get the feeling that this happens a lot when people come and see my litters Choosing a puppy... Well, I haven't chosen one for the last 15 years, I've simply told the breeders what type of dog I like and what I was going to use it for then I'll turn up when they're 8 weeks and picked my puppy up. I have yet to be disappointed The breeder will know the puppies the best as he/she see them day in day out and the breeder would be the best person to help you with picking a puppy unless they're just after getting rid . I think most good breeders have a technique where they managed to steer puppy owners towards the puppy they think would suit the owner best and then make the owner believe they've actually picked this puppy themselves

Natasha

[trekmoor]

Has anyone got any thoughts on the whole 'some traits skip a generation' idea?

I think this often happens ....I see it in people as well as dogs. I began to think this about 40 years ago and during the far too many years since then I've often noticed this ....especially in people ! I think not only the grandparents traits come through but sometimes those of the great grandparents too ......which is why I look further back into pedigrees than just the sire and dam.

Wullie

[Springfield Pointers]

Has anyone got any thoughts on the whole 'some traits skip a generation' idea?

I think this often happens ....I see it in people as well as dogs. I began to think this about 40 years ago and during the far too many years since then I've often noticed this ....especially in people ! I think not only the grandparents traits come through but sometimes those of the great grandparents too ......which is why I look further back into pedigrees than just the sire and dam.

Wullie

I have found this to be true as well. However what has always amazed me is that certain people always seem to end up with the same "type of dog". This can obviously be due to the person knowing what sort of dog they are after, but this is also true for people not so immersed in hunting or trialling. My point is that environment and the way one relates to their dogs, also has a lot to do with the end result.

Knowing what you want, and understanding what it takes to achieve the end result is a major factor, but if it were as easy as just selecting correctly, we'd all have field trial winners.

The right selection, is but a small part of the process.

An interesting thread, and a subject that has always been of huge interest to me.