Choosing new dog
 

Hey everyone,

I am looking for a new lab. It will be both a family dog and a hunting dog. Obviously I know to look for a healthy dog, good blood line, good breeder, etc.

I was wondering what traits I should look for in the puppy itself. What should I look for to pick out the best puppy.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks.

RE: Choosing new dog
 

Get your wife to pick the pup. That way, whenever the dog makes a mess, its HER dog!

Seriously, though, I picked the parents (most important part of selection) & let my wife pick which pup. She went for the one who went belly up for her, figuring he would be easiest to train...

RE: Choosing new dog
 

Haha. Thats a good idea but I don't have a wife.

RE: Choosing new dog
 

Get the breeder to turn em all out and watch to see which pups look the most curious and alert. Snap your fingers throw some things in the bushes in front of them to see if it draws their attention. Those are some things I look for. Maybe take a bird wing if you have one to see which ones show an interest.

RE: Choosing new dog
 

Definately choose one that is not shy. One who likes to carry stuff around in his mouth. Let the pups bite on your hand. Choose the one with the softest bite. Clap your hands loudly, the one who does not run away, probably won't be gunshy. Good luck. As for the wife comment, why in the world would you let a non-hunter pick out your hunting dog.

RE: Choosing new dog
 

When I pick a dog, I pick the parents & the breeder. I knew that my pup was coming from a very good breeding by a very experienced and respected breeder. There is much debate as to whether you can tell talent in a dog @ 8 weeks. Not even the most experienced field trialers can nail down talent in a dog at that age. A good dog is a work in progress.

RE: Choosing new dog
 

What Deke12ga said is darn near what I did. I was in England (the country) getting ready to retire when I started looking on the internet, I went through a bunch of web sites and I seem to always come back to one web site (Lankas Labs), I just liked what I saw and read, soI put my deposit on the pup. they were due to be born in June 2007. It was August and the breeder had two possibilites a black and a yellow( I had asked him to be honest and choose one for me, yes bad choice, but he couldn't choose either). I chose a Black (Max) and he has been fantastic ever since he had allot of drive as a pup and he still does. he is also a pointing Lab and that was not the reason I chose this breeder.

RE: Choosing new dog
 

First and foremost work with a reputable kennel/breeder only. Check all the references you can. Then explain to the breeder what you are looking for in a dog..., then listen to him!! He knows his dogs and pups better then anyone. I have seen so many people listen to a recommendation from a breeder..., then go and choose a different pup. When the dog turns out to be less then they desired, they blame the breeder.

LISTEN TO THE BREEDER!! LISTEN TO THE BREEDER!!

They say if the parents are well bred and the kennel/breeder is reputable, you should be able to close your eyes and reach into the litter, grab a pup, and have a good hunting dog.

Its the personality of each dog that seperates the ones that work for us or not. This is where you need to have open conversation with the breeder and take the advice to heart.

I have practiced what I preach. Right now I coundnt be happier with my GSP pup. She's everything I was looking for and hoping to get. But most importantly, she's everthing the breeder told me she would be.

Good luck and have fun.

RE: Choosing new dog
 

I will be choosing my GSP pup in the late winter/ early spring dc I will definetly ask for the breeders input. Thanks for sharing that bit of info.

RE: Choosing new dog
 

Pick a pup that mirrors your personality. If you are a quiet reserved kind of fella then pick that kind of pup. If you are a hyper guy who is always on the go then pick that kind of pup. I run field trial dogs so a lazy sit at your feet kind of dog won't fit in at my house. But on the flip side my dogs would drive 99% of people crazy with their endless evergy and digging and psychoness. So make sure you pick a pup that is going to mirror your personality. Trust me when I say you'll be happiest with a pup that looks at the world the same way you do.

RE: Choosing new dog
 

my dog, my horse, and me are all hyper pains in the butt

RE: Choosing new dog
 

I would definitely pick one that fits your personality as well. I got mine four years ago, pick the most stubborn, bull headed dog in the litter. He didn't dissapoint me, constantly pushed his limits, tested how tough I was willing to be on him, and eventually settled into a good routine. Took a little longer to train him than I think it should have, but then again, it was definitely worth it. Now we get along great with no aggravation between us!

RE: Choosing new dog
 

Find the most dominant dog and the runt. Take both out of your selection. Not to say these are bad dogs. I've seen litter runts that end up absolute champions. The dominant dog in the right hands can be a killer team. For the average dog owner, neither would be the best choice.

Take what is left (with your sex preference) and do whatever you want. I really like the idea of letting the wife or kids pick it out.

If you've done your homework and have chosen a breeder that produces the type of dog you like, you will end up with the dog you want.

RE: Choosing new dog
 

Like the others said find the best pedigree. Pick the breeder's brain about the pups to find the right match for you. The reason I say that. That laided back pup you just picked up may be hell on wheels and just tired from bouncing off the walls the last few hours right before you arrived.