Litter Pick?

[lindy rig]

Curious on opinions?

If you were comfortable with the breeder and the parents of the dog, would you care about having the last pick of the litter?

[GSPMark]

As a breeder I can tell you no. Quite often what we feel is the best of the litter is one of the last ones to go. Many pick for color, or they want the runt, or they want the biggest or they want a male or a female. Any how for many reasons the best are often still left toward the end.

If you have picked a good breeder almost all of the dogs will end up being what your after.

[Bushwacker]

I would not worry at all. I have had pups and with being with them for 7 weeks I changed my picks about 49 times When people come to pick you hear all sorts of things on wanting the biggest, wanting the runt, wanting the most active, wanting the calmest, ect.. My last litter's last pick turned out to be the most middle of the road as far as behavior and size. Just never really stood out when people were picking. As long as you have excellent genetics and healthy parents you will be fine. It is extremely tough to pick out a pup when they are that young. If you have the right pairing, all the pups will turn out very well.

[gspman]

I would be okay with it if I had the right to back out if I didn't like the remaining 7 week old pup.

[gundy89]

i got my lab a year and a half ago. i looked at multiple litters and found a breeder and the genetics i was happy with. when i put my deposit down, he told me i had the last pick. at first i didn't know if i wanted to be last but i went for it. a year and a half later i wouldnt trade it for the world. i've had very little puppy problems, she is very obedient and is a phenomenial hunter. a little more experience and she'll be deadly.

i would second the opinion that if you like the breeder and the parents, you'll like the dog. plus it makes the decision easier!!

[LABS4ME]

As a breeder I can tell you this honestly... picking a puppy is WAY over rated! They aren't in a sliding scale as far as 1st to go home vs. last. The 1st one to go home may be the 'worst' in the litter and the last may be the best. When picking a pup, most people use more emotions vs. a true set of criteria as to what they are looking for. Hence the reason it is way over rated. Example: An absolute mis-match for a family looking for a yellow lab might go home with them, based solely on the shade of 'yellow' they are looking at, or the kids say that puppy X gave them a cute look and that's the puppy they should pick.

Most litters do not have that much 'seperation' in a dogs abilities. They aren't clones and will be somewhat individuals, but in the end they are all more alike than different.

For the last 10 years, I do all the picking for my clients. I take as much information from them as to what their ultimate 'perfect' dog would be, and do my best to match up what I think is the right pup for them. I just spent 7-8 weeks with them, what little difference I can glean... I know. Most people see their perspective pup for 15-30 minutes and have no clue what to look for or what they are actually seeing, that is why I feel I am better able to match up the pups. I will still listen if they want to change their mind when they pick them up and go with a different pup, but usually they are more than agreeable to me doing the picking... and it works well.

In the end as posted above, pick the right breeder and the right litter and you will more than likely end up with the 'right dog'.

Good Luck!

Ken

[SSSTaxidermy]

As much as I read about how to recognize a good pup in a litter and what to look for...I went against all that and let my 4 yr old daughter pick. I felt it was more important and valuable to our family to do it that way. I am totally happy with the decision.

[Captain B.R.K]

Great tip LABS4ME! However how do I go about picking the best breeder and litter if I've never done this before?

I know what kind of dog I want (German Shorthair Pointer) but from that I need help.

[LABS4ME]

Research the the breeder and the parents... Has the breeder done this before? Do they have a written guarntee? Or are they breeding their dogs just this one time to get a pup... which is not always bad either, just make sure the dogs bred are what you're looking for and they are sound dogs. You want the breeding to be more a decision based on producing the best puppies, not convienence or vanity for the breeder.

Walking hunters or trial dogs, physically sound and passing all the minimum criteria for passing down inherited disorders. Are they hunted or just brood stock, how many litters has the mom had? Dad? Do they have references? How old are the parents... (I would never buy a pup from any dog under 2 years old). Disposition of parents, size of parents and the list can go on and on looks, size, color etc. if those traits are important to you.

'Interview' the perspective breeder(s) and you will know which one to go with. Trust is very important in the whole puppy buying process.

Good Luck!

Ken

[Try Too Fish]

I may get some disagreement on this but for me it seams that within the litter the larger end of liter mates will be calmer and the smaller end will be more hyper. I have seen that the largest pup of a litter was almost lazy and the runt was almost uncontrollable. But this will varies but is something to keep in mind. I know some books on choosing a pup state that if your not sure what your looking for choose a pup from the middle of the litter! But like labs said the majority of people choose a pup for reasons other than what they really want in a dog. That is where a good breeder will ask questions to find out what you really wand for a dog and give his best guidance. But you as a puppy buyer really need to give your next dog some long thought as to what you expect out of him and convey those thoughts too your breeder!!

[kentuck_ike]

I agree with labs, I would add to that, look for a breeder willing to help with training issues years down the road.

As far as size goes, conception of a litter can take place over about a five day period. So at birth 1 pup may have had 5 more days of growth. At 7 wks you can still see this size difference, At a year old the smallest may be the biggest. It is amazing how many people pick the smallest pup wanting a small dog, that ends being large.

Again pick a breeder you trust & can communicate well with.

Just my thoughts, Ike

[brittman]

The only thing pick order will get you is a better choice in your idea of appearance of a multi-colored dog breed (Britts, GSP, setters, etc...). If this is not important than nothing to worry about.

It is breeding, training, and a little luck. I had 1st pick on my 1st Britt and he was the poorest hunter of the 4 I have owned. Two Brits, the breeder picked for me. My youngest Brit was #3 of 5 females. She is 1st class.

IMHO: Number 1 factor in a hunting dog reaching its full potential is patience of the owner/trainer. This is also the factor that is often difficult for many of us to control.