Picking a
puppy is a gut-wrenching exercise for many hunters. It’s a ten to twelve-year commitment and you
don’t want to get it wrong. For this
article, we’ll assume you already know the breed you would like; however,
picking a breeder, then a litter and then the puppy in that litter is the
challenge.
There is no magical formula which will
ensure you pick the prize of the litter and a future “brag dog” that will
provide years of enjoyment in the field.
However, there are steps to take to increase the odds in your
favor. Let’s look at these steps.
Once you’ve decided on a breed, locate a
club that specializes in that breed. For
the versatile breeds, join the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association
(NAVHDA). They have affiliate clubs all
over North America. Those affiliate
clubs are listed on their website (www.navhda.org). Visit their training days and hunt
tests. Introduce yourself and let folks
know that you’re looking for a breeder.
You’ll soon know many people that are totally immersed in the pointing
dog world. In addition, organizations
like NAVHDA are very particular about health issues. When you see puppy ads for a NAVHDA trained
dog breeding they usually contain information on hips, eyes, heart, etc. There is a strong concern for not passing
along genetic defects.
If you’re more interested in a traditional
breed such as an English setter or pointer, there are numerous field trials
across the country you could visit and meet breeders. Subscribe to the American Field magazine (www.americanfield.com). This publication is the bible for pointing
dog field trials. Being a dedicated
reader will allow you follow consistent winners and producers of quality
off-spring.
Although you may or may not be interested
in sporting dog contests, they do serve a purpose. They continually help advance the pointing
dog breeds. Those dogs that perform the
best are bred more and help produce the qualities we want in a pointing dog.
Attending events such as natural ability
tests, utility tests and field trials allow you to actually watch the potential
sire or dam of your future puppy. And
that’s important; you want to know what you’ll be getting.
Locating a breeder through events is one
method of finding a litter; however, there are also ads for puppies in Pointing Dog Journal, Gun Dog and Shooting
Sportsman in addition to the above mentioned American Field. Facebook fans should check-out the forum Upland Bird Dog and Stuff Buy Sell Trade…there are always litters advertised here.
Okay, you’ve watched sires and dams run
and hunt and have now settled on a breeder, and, he has a litter on the way. You’ve
given him a deposit and he says you’ve got the third pick. Now you simply wait
anxiously for the dam to deliver those precious little balls of
excitement. Breeders have different
rules for when one may begin picking their pup from a litter. (Not to be
confused with picking-up your pup and taking it home). Your author feels it
should be six weeks, however, some breeders may want you to pick earlier.
During the breeder selection process, try
hard to select a breeder within a day’s drive of your home. Even before you’re allowed to make your final
pick, visit the breeder and look at the pups.
Socialization is very important at an early age and the more folks that
pick-up the puppies, the better. While
holding them, turn them on their backs and see how each one struggles. An overly active puppy that won’t stop
wiggling may be too hyper and present training problems. A puppy that is immediately submissive might
be too soft. A puppy that wiggles for
five seconds and then settles down would be a good choice.
Another exercise is to throw a small
dummy. Which puppies show an interest in
what you’ve thrown? You’re not looking
for a retrieve….just a little curiosity.
Don’t worry about size unless you have a preference. I’ve seen many runts turn out to be the very
best of the litter. Female or male? When it comes to hunting, it doesn’t
matter. The only issue is if you’re not
going to have a female spayed, you’ll have the heat cycle to deal with.
Finally, be careful about accepting a
puppy from a littler that is broken up at seven weeks or less. Research has shown that the minimum age for
puppies to go home is eight weeks. In
fact, eight weeks is the law in many states.
It’s all about socialization.
You’ll have a happier and more cooperative puppy if the litter stays
together until eight weeks of age.
Good luck with your future “brag dog”.
