pigeon-hunter Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 Hi guys, I'm finally off to see my incoming pup (black lab) when picking my lab from the litter is there anything I should look for. Also i Wonder If anyone can give me pointers,I all ready have a list of questions to ask when I get there, but was wondering if there any questions I haven't thought of. Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Actionpigeons Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 If you like the breeding and are happy with the sire and dam, not forgetting the health checks. I would suggest clapping your hands together and pick up the first pup of the sex you are looking for that comes to you. Bred lots of pups over the years and all you can go on is boldness at 8 weeks of age. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 If your sure of the breeding and the breeders motives, you can only go on health and confidence in being around people. I used to squeak and watch the pups reactions on selecting hunting dogs but on gundogs I am not so sure that's what you need, there really is little you can do but before you go making any disturbing noises or other physical things ask the breeder first. It sounds like its already your pup and you aint seen it yet, fair enough if you have booked one but if its just a look at the litter try and be cautious there are plenty more litters about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtaylor Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 When we chose our yellow lab last year the breeder had already sent us pictures of the 3 bitches in the litter. We liked the look of one in particular. When we got there we asked the breeder not to say which one was which. We discounted one straight away and picked the original one out of the 2 remaining. There isn't much you can look for in a gundog pup. I chucked a rolled up sock about for mine and clapped my hands and she was responsive to both, not phased by either and happy to play/carry the sock. I would just go on which ever one looks the best to you, I prefer smaller labs so I chose the smallest of the 3 bitches. Black is black so colour isn't a deciding factor (I chose the darker of the 3 as well) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampire Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 (edited) Ask the breeder about the pups characters,she/he will know which is which and then you can select for yourself. Waited a year for my lab and had the pick of the litter,after visiting them 3 times i changed my mind and now have a good dog,he was the one in the litter that always played after the others conked out and every visit was the first to greet me,he is now very inquisative and and if anything makes him jump he immediatly investigates. Pity we are not able to see both parents and see all vet records. Good luck and start the training early. Edited October 24, 2013 by vampire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon-hunter Posted October 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 If your sure of the breeding and the breeders motives, you can only go on health and confidence in being around people. I used to squeak and watch the pups reactions on selecting hunting dogs but on gundogs I am not so sure that's what you need, there really is little you can do but before you go making any disturbing noises or other physical things ask the breeder first.It sounds like its already your pup and you aint seen it yet, fair enough if you have booked one but if its just a look at the litter try and be cautious there are plenty more litters about I have seen a lot of pups and breeders, as I've been looking into this for about 6 months now, this is the 1st I put myself on them waiting list for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fal Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 I genuinely believe there is a lot of luck involved when picking a puppy. Personally, I don't believe you can see many characteristics that will make a good dog at 8 weeks or younger, if you have a pup from good lines and they are not showing any signs of illness etc whichever one you pick, as long as you put the effort and time in training it, it will turn out fine. Other people will disagree but that’s my view. I let my girlfriend pick my pup, totally random choice because he had a white fleck on his chest!! J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Actionpigeons Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 I genuinely believe there is a lot of luck involved when picking a puppy. Personally, I don't believe you can see many characteristics that will make a good dog at 8 weeks or younger, if you have a pup from good lines and they are not showing any signs of illness etc whichever one you pick, as long as you put the effort and time in training it, it will turn out fine. Other people will disagree but that’s my view. I let my girlfriend pick my pup, totally random choice because he had a white fleck on his chest!! J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonker Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 (edited) Click your fingers or clap your hands gently, behind the pup of your choice before buying. Make sure they don't know your there before doing it, you can have the best looking gundog in the world, but if it's deaf it can't hear the whistle for commands and is next to useless. Edited October 25, 2013 by tonker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Essex Hunter Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 I went to see a litter of(cockers) the guy took me and worked the dam in his field on the whistle etc, then I asked him to let them out the pen. out of the six he was keeping the 2 golden ones. This one http://i856.photobucket.com/albums/ab130/TheEssexHunter/Chip/0013_zpsb4ab7a78.jpg was the boldest and looked around when I clapped my hands and called he came over while the others played. I took £50.00 out my pocket and asked for a receipt....and said I will be back next week. Every thing is a risk, you just have to be able to manage it. TEH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hodge911 Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 I didn't choose jess .........................the lad I got her off opened the pen door and 10 little hyper things came diving out and disappeared into the garden shrubbery all except jess who came across to me and the mrs jumped her 2 front paws up onto my jeans leg and left deposits of the poo she had run thew . after a aaargh get down she just sat next to us until we moved to take a look at other pups upon she got up and followed and wouldn't go to see the breeder so hey ho 5yr later and wouldn,t change her for the world !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greymaster Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 Hi guys, I'm finally off to see my incoming pup (black lab) when picking my lab from the litter is there anything I should look for. Also i Wonder If anyone can give me pointers,I all ready have a list of questions to ask when I get there, but was wondering if there any questions I haven't thought of. Thanks in advance So you are happy to buy a lab, but want to be given pointers? B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontbeck Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 I genuinely believe there is a lot of luck involved when picking a puppy. Personally, I don't believe you can see many characteristics that will make a good dog at 8 weeks or younger, if you have a pup from good lines and they are not showing any signs of illness etc whichever one you pick, as long as you put the effort and time in training it, it will turn out fine. Other people will disagree but thats my view. I let my girlfriend pick my pup, totally random choice because he had a white fleck on his chest!! J +2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 +2 +3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJL4 Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 I genuinely believe there is a lot of luck involved when picking a puppy. Personally, I don't believe you can see many characteristics that will make a good dog at 8 weeks or younger, if you have a pup from good lines and they are not showing any signs of illness etc whichever one you pick, as long as you put the effort and time in training it, it will turn out fine. Other people will disagree but that’s my view. I let my girlfriend pick my pup, totally random choice because he had a white fleck on his chest!! J Spot on Fal. If you've done your homework and the breeding's what you want just take pot luck. There'll be very little difference at eight weeks between a rampaging litter of say ten Lab pups. My last two Labs I didn't see even a picture before I got them, I trusted the breeder and I don't think I could have chosen a better one if I had seen them .... If there were any better ones in the litters. DaveL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 +3 And + 4 If its a good litter and they are healthy after thats it is only ever going to be pot luck. Having said that I wanted a big dog so picked the biggest and I might add boldess pup but he still may not grow into the biggest of the litter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampire Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 I didn't choose jess .........................the lad I got her off opened the pen door and 10 little hyper things came diving out and disappeared into the garden shrubbery all except jess who came across to me and the mrs jumped her 2 front paws up onto my jeans leg and left deposits of the poo she had run thew . after a aaargh get down she just sat next to us until we moved to take a look at other pups upon she got up and followed and wouldn't go to see the breeder so hey ho 5yr later and wouldn,t change her for the world !! Thats the right dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Merkel Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 If I am looking for a dog I ask that the bitches and sold puppies be separated and I just watch the puppies that are for sale, I like to study their size to the other puppies I firmly believe the wider the head the bigger the brain so I look for a wide muzzle, nice clear eyes but its still a lottery. Best of luck Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 its an interesting one and lots depends on the owner of the bitch, if they are straight up then they will have an idea what you are after and be best put to match the pup to you but ultimately it is a lottery. On my recent litter the working homes were very interesting as I guessed which pup in most cases they would choose, the one I kept I let the missus have her choice as I would have had any of the bitches and I have no regrets. Ultimately with labs will you get the pup you choose anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon-hunter Posted October 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2013 High guys thanks for your suggestions bar 1. I went and saw them today, there where 8 pups 3 boys, so got the boys on there own, 1 wasn't interested and jus sat in the corner whining, and one was more interested in sleeping.. The other (the one we choose) was more intent on coming over to us. When all put back together he still came over with a couple of bitches the rest just slept. He seemed to be up and more alert then the rest was watching them for around 1.5hrs, even when mum came in to feed them he was the 1st up to feed straight to her, while a lot of the others had to be put on her. So Casper is coming home mid november Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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