akka Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 Its been 3 years since Worzel, our fantastic Springer, passed away. It is now time to look for a new dog. Our Worzel was a very big strapping fella, and as great as he was, he was a fair handful. So this time we will be looking for a slightly smaller dog, and have decided on a Cocker. So my question is, what do you look for when picking a new dog from a litter. Are there any characteristics/traits which should be avoided or sought after? How did you choose yours? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 when you get amongst the litter choose the one that stands back and looks at you...not the ones that are crawling all over you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akka Posted September 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 Why is that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washerboy Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 Boldest in the litter, if you fancy a challenge or more like heartbreak then get the timid one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 38 minutes ago, akka said: Why is that? it thinks and looks....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 13 minutes ago, ditchman said: it thinks and looks....... 100% I always looked for the one which was away on it's own hunting and doing it's own thing. Picked the very best dog I ever had, and I had a few good ones, when they where let loose on a large lawn bordering a large pond. One dog puppy made for the water and reeds and was digging around in there whilst the others played with each other or sat and whined. He was the only dog I ever saw which would actually dive after a diver and come back up with it. He was also a choccy lab which every 'expert' said would never make it. Hope this helps but I agree it ain't easy picking out of a good litter. A lot rests on what you put into the pup when it comes to stay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshAndy Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 Everyone is different... I like ditchman likes the pup that sits back and watches what’s going on (a bit like me i suppose). Always easier (If you know) to separate the dogs and bitches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 Pick the pup which picks YOU. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akka Posted September 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 Well, I suppose when you are there amongst the pups, it will evident which is the right one for you. I'm looking forward to the challenge. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted September 28, 2019 Report Share Posted September 28, 2019 Impossible question to answer as we all look for different things and at say 8 weeks they can change in character in days. I just sit down and watch, rattle a box of matches or similar to see if any are more attentive. I find that one eventually stands out but damned if I can explain why. Once went to look at a litter and did not like any of them but did see one in a slightly older litter. He never wants to leave my side. If the pups are well bred in my experience it is then largely a lottery. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted September 29, 2019 Report Share Posted September 29, 2019 What a pup is like at 8 weeks isn't what it'll be like at 6 months, 12 months or 5 years. A bold pup could be very soft later on and a soft pup could develop into a bold (and head strong nutcase) of a dog. If considering a smaller dog, I would very strongly consider sourcing a springer bitch from a smaller line, I have seen lots and lots of well bred springers and cockers over the last 2 years going frequently to tests, trials and events and although there are some very good cockers about, it is much harder to get a good one, they can be good one minute and refuse to do much the next and depending on your skills a right pain in the A... Do not just consider a cocker to be just a small springer, they are far more quirky, although at times they can be great fun, my mate told me every now and then they will just do something that they have never done before an you'll scratch your head and think "where the hell did that come from?!" I think Owwee on here's has one who is hilarious, when decoying it decided it was too hot so bogged off from his hide, sprinted across the field and decided to have a swim in a water bath before coming back refreshed, that example is hilarious but others may not be so funny lol. Just food for thought. As regard to picking a pup when you find the right litter, Ditchman has a good example of picking the pup that thinks before it acts and shows good brains, others pick the smallest pup as it will have had to fight to get to the milk and hope it will have a bit of grunt in it, others will want the boldest pup...personally I sent my Mrs into the kennel and told her "pick me a smallish one"... Mine has ended up as one of the biggest dogs to show up on shoots 😞 lol ... but at least I can blame her for choosing him and not me lol (He was the one I wanted anyway). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retsdon Posted October 1, 2019 Report Share Posted October 1, 2019 (edited) On 29/09/2019 at 00:35, Dave at kelton said: If the pups are well bred in my experience it is then largely a lottery. Seconded. You don't really know how a dog is going to shape up until you start working with it. Sometimes the ones that were great looking pups turn out to be idiots, and sometimes the ones you least expected to do well can surprise. So choose the one you like for whatever reason and hope for the best. Edited October 1, 2019 by Retsdon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akka Posted October 1, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2019 Well, in a way I'm quite glad it's mostly a lottery, it takes the pressure off a bit. I can just go with my gut feeling🤞. Thanks for all your advice👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B725 Posted October 1, 2019 Report Share Posted October 1, 2019 Try to see both parents if possible that will give you an idea of what they will be. If it's another spanner you want contact BB on here she breeds some nice dog's I should know I have one 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 (edited) On 01/10/2019 at 18:33, B725 said: Try to see both parents if possible that will give you an idea of what they will be. If it's another spanner you want contact BB on here she breeds some nice dog's I should know I have one 👍 😍😍😍 Thank you, I do try!! No springers due for two years I’m afraid but I have a beautiful litter of cockers.... Edited October 3, 2019 by bigbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B725 Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 Why the change? First day tomorrow for little Stan picking up 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 Just now, B725 said: Why the change? First day tomorrow for little Stan picking up 😊 No change, Stan’s mum didn’t have the best time whelping and I don’t want to put her through it again and Turbo only had two, I wanted to run three or four on but they were promised to the owner of the stud dog and a pal from Dorset who got a 3rd in his first trial with Stan’s brother - there’s no way I was keeping just one pup by herself 😫😫 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B725 Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 3rd in his first trial is quite impressive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird Posted October 3, 2019 Report Share Posted October 3, 2019 (edited) 1 minute ago, B725 said: 3rd in his first trial is quite impressive. Not bad to be fair, more importantly (to me) was the intuitive careful and gentle way he was trained so it was a privilege that he wanted another 😊👍 Edited October 3, 2019 by bigbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 On 03/10/2019 at 18:42, bigbird said: 😍😍😍 Thank you, I do try!! No springers due for two years I’m afraid but I have a beautiful litter of cockers.... Win win. It's a cocker he is after this time. On 28/09/2019 at 19:16, akka said: Its been 3 years since Worzel, our fantastic Springer, passed away. It is now time to look for a new dog. Our Worzel was a very big strapping fella, and as great as he was, he was a fair handful. So this time we will be looking for a slightly smaller dog, and have decided on a Cocker. So my question is, what do you look for when picking a new dog from a litter. Are there any characteristics/traits which should be avoided or sought after? How did you choose yours? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 (edited) I watch and look at how they move, if all are good I pick the cheeky mischievous one. I like a dog with sense of humour, if your not out working your dog all the time you don't need a field trial champ. A nice companion you can work and enjoy is more important to me. Had serious working dogs in the past and not the best pets. Edited October 5, 2019 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 7 hours ago, loriusgarrulus said: Win win. It's a cocker he is after this time. Haha I didn’t read the post properly did I! 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 When we went to see the litter, we chose the one that was the biggest PITA, crawling in the food bowl, barging through the rest of the pups, basically the most outgoing one of the eight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshAndy Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 4 hours ago, bigbird said: Haha I didn’t read the post properly did I! 😂 Now now Aly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird Posted October 5, 2019 Report Share Posted October 5, 2019 49 minutes ago, WelshAndy said: Now now Aly... You know how dopey I am Andy 😂👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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