Experienced Litter Picking

[treeitletitgo]

I am new to this site, but not at all the sport... I would love to hear some ideas on how people that know go about picking their pups out of a litter. (And I understand this is always a gamble). This is my third litter.
Pups mature at different rates and sometimes a dog that is 2 years old will become the superstar with the right opportunity. I strongly believe that good dogs are bred and are not made, that being said, handling can turn a great dog into a rescue.
Thoughts? Advice?

[Brady Davis]

I don't care what any old wives tale you hear says. A famous bird dog breeder told me the best advice I've ever heard.... PICK A LITTER; NOT A PUPPY!!!!

Now, clearly if there is a sick one or one with obvious blemishes than avoid it. But a healthy happy puppy stands the same odds as his/her littermate. I just laugh myself sick at guys BS methods of picking a certain puppy. Choose sex, and go on with it!

[nmplott]

PICK A LITTER; NOT A PUPPY!!!!
Choose sex, and go on with it!

that is the best advice I have heard. The bloodlines should speak about the qualities the pups SHOULD exhibit. other than that I let my wife, kids or the pup pick us.

[treeitletitgo]

I am in agreement with you on the pick a litter not a puppy... That's great advice. I do believe it is all about blood.
That being said, some turn out better than others in a litter and I'm wondering if there are certain markers or things you watch for about how pups handle themselves at an early age to give a clue to their future?
For example a puppy that ventures out and explores more and seems to be uneffeceted by loud noises etc. That is just one example.
If you have had a litter or had an option to pick your pup from one, there must be some reason you picked the one you did unless that was the only option you had?
Just interested in different ideas and thoughts about it.

[Big Mike]

I get real scientific when i pick a pup. First I pick the ones with the longest ears and seperate them, then out of those i pick the one with the biggest poop shoot. By george works everytime. How could i guy go wrong with that method!!!! LOL

[kordog]

i hope the longer ears arent to hold onto big mike cause that would explain what the bigggggggg poop shoot is for

[George Streepy]

Thanks Kordog, that was great!

But on the serious side, I have had guys that I have alot of respect for claim they have a secret method. One even offered to tell me if I get down his way. I am a little worried to ask, but when a guy that produces dogs like he does says something like that, my ears perk up a little. I am skeptical to say the least, but always willing to learn something new. Something tells me I might be getting messed with though.

My method is no where near as scientific as Big Mikes.

[houndnhorse]

I've got a buddy with the exact opposite poop chute method for picking a pup. Ofcourse he has one of those hood rugs, so that could have something to do with it.

[bignblu]

I am new to this site, but not at all the sport... I would love to hear some ideas on how people that know go about picking their pups out of a litter. (And I understand this is always a gamble). This is my third litter.
Pups mature at different rates and sometimes a dog that is 2 years old will become the superstar with the right opportunity. I strongly believe that good dogs are bred and are not made, that being said, handling can turn a great dog into a rescue.
Thoughts? Advice?

[dwalton]

In 45 years of hunting and raising pups I have read and tried every thing as far as using ekg to check heart rates of young pups and keeping the hole litter to see what so. I feel breeding is the best thing to pick, but there is also traits that pups have that can be picked that carry true to what the pup will turn out to be. Dewey

[Dan Edwards]

i hope the longer ears arent to hold onto big mike cause that would explain what the bigggggggg poop shoot is for

The "Big" in Big Mike dont mean that fella.


I hope you can take a joke Big Mike. HAHA!

[Big Mike]

I can take it. I figure if im dumb enough to write it on a forum, you got to be ready to what comes with it!

The big poop shoot is kind of an inside joke amoungest some southern houndsman. Some of the old timers would say the bigger the poop shoot the colder nosed they are!?

[kordog]

sorry big mike i couldnt resist .