labman
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Reged: 11/03/03
Posts: 107
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Loc: La Crosse, Wi
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Hey all!
I will be going to pick out my new pup on the 16th (black lab female). I plan to hunt her, mostly upland game (pheasants)and would like some pointers on how pick the best one out of the litter (I have 6 to choose from) I have done pretty well with my last two but i think that was just dumb luck. Do any of you have any methods you use when picking a pup?
Thanks!
Labman
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Perch_44
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Reged: 12/29/05
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Loc: One step ahead of the Warden.
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find a litter/breeding you like, which you have. so, the next step is to go in the yard with the puppies, sit down, close your eyes....and choose...  its pretty tough to tell what a dog is going to be like at 8 weeks old. my pup i have now was pretty timid when young, and now he is a firebreathing maniac...
just pick the one that calls you to it. no real way to tell how they are going to do performance wise. so, pick the one with the most personality. 
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drakesdemise
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Reged: 03/24/04
Posts: 564
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Loc: Residing in St. Paul, MN doing...
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Quote:
find a litter/breeding you like, which you have. so, the next step is to go in the yard with the puppies, sit down, close your eyes....and choose... its pretty tough to tell what a dog is going to be like at 8 weeks old. my pup i have now was pretty timid when young, and now he is a firebreathing maniac...
just pick the one that calls you to it. no real way to tell how they are going to do performance wise. so, pick the one with the most personality.
I could not agree more
The old wives tale that my family has lived by, and I guess it has worked  , is:
When playing with the litter, take time to roll each pup over on their back. Once on their back, place your hand over the their chest and gently hold them to the ground on their back.
The pup that tolerates this for the longest peiod of time is the most trainable pup 
Ya, I know 
Stick to what he said.
But I must say, each of our family dogs has not only been a hunter, but a well trained family dog as well!
Good luck
 cheers
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Lip Ripper
IDA Field Staff
Reged: 07/14/03
Posts: 7836
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Loc: Northern Twin Cities, MN
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I like to watch them interact with each other and observe their personalities. When I picked mine out he was the 2nd largest of the group. However, he would battle 2-3 other pups at once to get a small throwing dummy away from them. He would drag 2 other pups at once and would not give up until he was the only pup with it. He also seemed to be the one that would come when called and  I was a sucker for thos Puppy Dog eyes he gave me.
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Lip Ripper (aka Rob Stenger)
GameHide Pro Staff /
Northland Concrete & Masonry
BfishN Tackle /
Stone Construction Inc
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mossydan
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Reged: 03/27/03
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Loc: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
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When I bought my brittnay I used the first one away from the litter is the best. The breeder of the dogs took them out of the kennel and put them in a group then started walking. He had two follow him right away and I choose the one who was right on his heels. She had one heck of a good nose and earlier in the conversation they told me that some of the previous dogs owners had called them and they said all thier dogs were good so I think when it all comes down to it, its the bloodline. Choose a good bloodline and the odds are better. I think when it comes to a dogs performance hunt them as much as possible to keep thier nose warm and they will only get better, a good dog is a good partner.
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labman
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Reged: 11/03/03
Posts: 107
Post Bucks: $1.14
Loc: La Crosse, Wi
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Thanks guys. I am soooo fired up to get this pup I can't stand it! The line is a good one so I am confident in that sense. I have heard guys that go with the most aggresive one, the most attentive one, the largest one, the smallest one, just about every conceivable trick you can think of! I guess I will just "know" when I see "the one"! 
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Dunn
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Reged: 01/07/08
Posts: 128
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Loc: Iowa
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I really like how you all choose your dogs. Lip I can definatly tell you wanted a "ruff" and tumble buddy. The way I have chosen my hunting pals in the past has worked for me. I go with the runt. The runt always seems to be timid at first, but after a few days at home everything seems to come to them quickly. Poty traing on the last three dogs has taken about a week for each of them, crate training has been one or two days, and every time I have hunted with friends who are running dogs, mine always seem to listen better. Not to put my buds down, but even my 1yo Sadie will respond to hand signals and voice commands when there are other dogs around while my friends are more interested in sniffing bottom. It may be just hapenstance or that I spend lots of time with my dogs, but it has worked for me.
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The greatest things are found at the edge, where fog and shadow tease the mind and force one to pursue.
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johnksully
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Reged: 07/07/06
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Loc: Lakeville, MN
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It's all in the bloodlines. If they have good bloodlines then everything is in your hands from there.
My yellow female had a litter last spring. This picture still cracks me up.
You go first, no you, no you...
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Perch_44
Member
Reged: 12/29/05
Posts: 66
Post Bucks: $0.52
Loc: One step ahead of the Warden.
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i had it easy with the pup i have now. i wanted a black male out of the litter...and there was only one black male born, problem solved... 
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smackem
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Reged: 07/01/08
Posts: 31
Post Bucks: $-0.38
Loc: Central Iowa
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Normally you want to stay away from the little winers that sit by themselfs. Also the big ole boy might turn out to be a knothead. Throw a bird out in the pile of pups and watch their reaction. Who likes birds and who couldn't care less. The ones that aren't afraid and might even pick it up are the ones you want.
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labman
Member
Reged: 11/03/03
Posts: 107
Post Bucks: $1.14
Loc: La Crosse, Wi
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Thanks for all the info guys. Went to pick her out this morning and it was easier than I had expected. We had them all out and running around. We eliminated the "runt" right away. Not because she was the runt, but because she was not real enthusiatic about being out. The others were all pretty playfull and very alert. The one we ended up picking was by far the most inquisitive and adventurous! Her nose was to the ground almost the entire time just taking in all those new scents. She even pointed! (at least thats what the last picture looks like ) We pick her up on the 29th and then the real work begins! I am sure I will be back often with training questions!
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mossydan
Member
Reged: 03/27/03
Posts: 2826
Post Bucks: $9.88
Loc: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
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He does look like a good dog, nice choice! Im pretty sure hes instinctively pointing too.
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Steve Plantz
IDA Field Staff - Steering Committee
Reged: 05/17/01
Posts: 10205
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Loc: SE MN
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Nice looking pup labman congrats!!!
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Steve Plantz ~ IDO Field Staff
Bluffland Whitetails Association
To Let-em Grow You Gotta Let-em Go So SHOOT A DOE!!!
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