Picking a puppy

[yellow dog]

I look for the smartest pup and not necessarily the "craziest" pup. I look for balance because after all, they are just young pups. I look at conformation because it was once said that the pup you see at 7 weeks will go through many changes before reverting to an adult version of that 7 week old pup. There are certain traits that I look for in that young pup that will most often make him/her display strong natural ability traits as well as trainability, once formal training is initiated. I look for pups that are confident within themselves. I look for tail set as much or more than I do how they are carrying that tail at any given time because that will have a tangible value when they grow up. I look at their eyes because when you have been around dogs for some time, the eyes can tell you a great deal.
I stay away from big, silly-bold pups (too often not the brightest and their edginess can become an issue) or wall flowers (lacking fire/drive/self confidence).
Then my intuition kicks in........

What UGO said.

[Blackwolf]

I don't want to go on and hijack this thread but when it comes to puppies I am interested in the thoughts of yourself, Krakadawn, Crakered, Tim Tufts, Werner, Dakota Creek as well as a few others with the reasons behind everyone's thoughts. The different personalities, disciplines and training methods will lead people to look for different things in the pups and I would like to hear it from the experienced folk.

I was under the impression this was a public forum? If you only take information from those that agree with you you will learn nothing
maybe you should take your xenophobic attitude and start your own Blog or Forum

[Blackwolf]

When looking for a pup. I will select the type of breed I want and in the final selection, look for the one who will bond with me and my wife best. You can do anything with an animal that loves you and is willing.

[maplevizsla]

What UGO said.

What UGO said exactly.

I am so very thankful that I buy from breeders who invest a great deal of time watching the puppies over the course of the 8 weeks and since they are around the puppies and watched the development over that that time I trust their judgement in selecting the best puppy for my individual needs (breeding, conformation, field etc.) and experience level and lifestyle. I am also very thankful that I buy from breeders who invest the time to socialize and stimulate the puppies early neurological development so that they are well adjusted.

I asked for certain qualities in Titan and I got what I asked for, he is extremely well balanced. Perfect temperament in and out of the home (he is amazing with my daughter, well mannered around strange dogs and people, has achieved various titles), perfect field drive and hunting abilities for my needs (he is not hard headed or stubborn, he isn't wild or uncontrollable and he isn't meek or lackluster) , great conformation and should be able to attain it as he fills out) - I prefer a balanced puppy.

[Jakezilla]

I was under the impression this was a public forum? If you only take information from those that agree with you you will learn nothing
maybe you should take your xenophobic attitude and start your own Blog or Forum

I am interested in the thoughts and knowledge of those with experience and a proven track record. I might not necessarily agree with them but I will respect their opinion. This kind of BS you are starting leads to locked and deleted threads.

[last5oh_302]

I was under the impression this was a public forum? If you only take information from those that agree with you you will learn nothing
maybe you should take your xenophobic attitude and start your own Blog or Forum

No kidding. Only legends need apply, and this is my thread now.

What UGO said exactly.

I am so very thankful that I buy from breeders who invest a great deal of time watching the puppies over the course of the 8 weeks and since they are around the puppies and watched the development over that that time I trust their judgement in selecting the best puppy for my individual needs (breeding, conformation, field etc.) and experience level and lifestyle. I am also very thankful that I buy from breeders who invest the time to socialize and stimulate the puppies early neurological development so that they are well adjusted.

I asked for certain qualities in Titan and I got what I asked for, he is extremely well balanced. Perfect temperament in and out of the home (he is amazing with my daughter, well mannered around strange dogs and people, has achieved various titles), perfect field drive and hunting abilities for my needs (he is not hard headed or stubborn, he isn't wild or uncontrollable and he isn't meek or lackluster) , great conformation and should be able to attain it as he fills out) - I prefer a balanced puppy.

Right on. I don't get a choice with any of the ethical breeders I spoke to, or the one I'm dealing with, which makes perfect sense for the very reasons you described.
It took me a little while to wrap my head around not getting to pick my own pup, but I'm more than OK with it once I understood the reasons why.

[krakadawn]

When looking for a pup. I will select the type of breed I want and in the final selection, look for the one who will bond with me and my wife best. You can do anything with an animal that loves you and is willing.

I think most would agree with the potential of solid bonding but how does one go about making a decision that would support that goal?

[yellow dog]

Ugo I understand what you are saying but I don't necessarily look for the same things as you and we all have our reasons. I have some specific things I want in a pup, reasons why I want them and "crazy" is open to interpretation. I would like the pup to have everything but few, if any do, and we need to prioritize our desires because there are trade offs. I have a few experiments going on with dogs right now and it will take a few more years to find out if I am right, wrong or somewhere in between. I don't want to go on and hijack this thread but when it comes to puppies I am interested in the thoughts of yourself, Krakadawn, Crakered, Tim Tufts, Werner, Dakota Creek as well as a few others with the reasons behind everyone's thoughts. The different personalities, disciplines and training methods will lead people to look for different things in the pups and I would like to hear it from the experienced folk. If we could keep it specific to hunting dogs/trial dogs while keeping the googler's and armchair trainers at bay we all just might learn something.

Wow for the first time I'm speechless ???????????

[trkyhntr21]

Why YD that post was on page two or did you already know that and are just jumping on the bandwagon?
Jakezilla has a point lots of Armchair expert's on here.

[yellow dog]

Why YD that post was on page two or did you already know that and are just jumping on the bandwagon?
Jakezilla has a point lots of Armchair expert's on here.

Easy Lad didn't see it and believe me if i have something to say I spell it out.