John Rex Gates
|
I've often heard it said picking a pup out of a liter of six or eight is like putting blinders on and reaching among them and grabbing one. There's more to it than that.
Most of us are going to get very attached to our new pup, as we should. We either are or we don't need the pup. Forming a good repiore(sic) with our new friend is the very first thing we should do.
A tip to keep in mind is the cost and time of taking care of a good prospect will be the same as taking care of just another dog (good or bad). It make sense that the cost of your purchase, up to a point, should not be important if you feel your getting the pup with the potential you desire for the end product.
POINTS TO LOOK FOR
Proven parents with good blood lines, if possible you should see the sire and dam in the field or you may have seen some of the offspring of a previous litter.
Look for the pup with independence, boldness and character. You will know this when you see it. If the pups are in a pen, have the owner take them out and put them on the ground. Walk around with them, usually you will see a difference that will catch your eye.
I like to pick a pup at about eight weeks of age. They begin to blossom at this age and usually they won't be picked over.
Male of female, color and markings are a matter of personal preference, although I like evenly marked dogs with a good bit of white making them easier to see in the field.
Check all external body members. Look in the mouth for an over or under bite. Some pups may have a small hernias in the navel area. Many times this will cure itself or a stitch by a vet will cure it, so this is no big factor.
I like a fairly square headed pup with good eyes and ears set and a good tail set, meaning the tail comes out fairly high on the hind quarters. These dogs will tend to point with higher tail.
Pups should be healthy looking in apperence, if not back off.
Some breeds of dogs tend to have hip problems. You may want the sale consumated by hip x-rays, although this is seldom necessary or done.
If you are unable to visit the kennel for a look at the pups, be sure to deal with reputable breeders. Ask for references from previous buyers, pictures, etc.
Get the health records on the pup (shots, worming, etc.) Follow up on shots and deworm on a regular basis when you get your pup home.
Get the necessary papers for registration.
Some healthy pups
|
Find out what brand and type of feed the pup has been fed. Changing feeds abruptly can effect the pup for several days.
Now it is a must for you to spend quality time with your pup as much as possible. The first few months of a pups life are most important, no strict training at this time, it will come later. Now is the time for tender loving care and play. I would take the pup for walks in the field so he will begin to get accustomed to his new world. Learning how to get around in the cover, finding things he will get excited about, butterflies, different kinds of birds all will be a learning experience that will be very valuable in getting a head start for serious training later. Look at it this way, if a child was raised entirely in the house, never allowed to get out until the 1st day of the first grade, it would be a major problem. The same applies to a puppy. Get out as much and as often as you can with your pup.
Footnote:
Gates Kennels has raised hundreds of litters of pups over the years.
