How to Choose the Perfect Hunting Puppy

How to Pick the Right Puppy From The Litter

When you're in the market for buying a puppy, it can be overwhelming. If you’re like most, you've probably spent countless hours watching videos, researching good breeders, and daydreaming about the hunting adventures you’ll share with your future dog.

You’re also likely thinking about how to pick the best puppy for you. If so, you’re on the right track. The first step in finding your perfect puppy is choosing the right breeder. If you haven't done that yet, be sure to read our blog post on The First Steps to an Incredible Hunting Dog: Choosing the Right Breeder.

Once you’ve found a breeder, the journey to picking your puppy begins.

How Do You Pick the Right Puppy?

Knowing how to pick a good puppy from a litter versus knowing how to pick the best puppy from a litter isn’t an exact science. There are several things to consider that can stack the odds in your favor:

• Picking the Litter
• Color
• Sex: Male or Female?
• Personality
• The One Key That Makes All the Difference

Let’s dive into each of these.

1. Picking the Litter: Why It's as Important as Choosing the Puppy

We touched on bloodlines in our first blog post, but let’s explore this topic further.

When choosing a puppy, people have different preferences. Some want a fast, hard-charging dog, while others prefer a more laid-back companion. Some want a smaller dog, while others need a larger pup to handle big game like Canada geese.

I'm sure you've been wondering how to pick a puppy from a litter or how to pick a good puppy, but your best chance at getting the puppy you want is by choosing the right litter. But what does “picking the litter” really mean?

Simply put, choose the parents first, and the puppy you want should follow. When you choose a puppy it will likely share many similarities with its parents—their looks, tendencies, and personalities. By picking the right litter, you’re not choosing an exact clone of the parents, but you are setting yourself up for a better chance of getting a puppy that aligns with your expectations.

Skipping this step and picking a puppy based solely on how it interacts with its litter mates can be a gamble. For example, if you want a laid-back dog, but the parents are high-energy, you’re less likely to get the relaxed pup you’re hoping for.

Knowing how to pick the right puppy from a litter is easy when you choose the sire and dam first. Once you understand this, you're on your way to picking the ideal puppy for you. Choosing the right litter is crucial to getting what you want in a hunting dog.

2. Choosing the Right Color

When it comes to choosing your puppy's color, this is purely a matter of personal preference. For labradors, do you prefer black, chocolate, or yellow?

Chances are, you already have a particular color in mind, which is a great starting point. After choosing the color of your retriever puppy, look for a litter that meets your other preferences.

One concern a lot of duck hunters have is whether or not a white dog will flare birds. I have hunted over a white dog, yellow dog, black dog, and chocolate dog and haven't had any issues with birds flaring based on color. That really all boils down to how well you are hidden and not the dogs color.

I've even hunted in timber with a white dog and didn't have any issues. That said, if it's still a concern for you, you can always use a Rig'Em Right Vest. This vest will cut down on how much of the light colored fur shows thus helping with concealment. You can purchase this vest here at Retriever Training Supply.

3. Male or Female?

After choosing a color, the next decision is whether you want a male or female. Some people prefer males, while others lean towards females.

You might be wondering, “Is there a difference?”. Some say that female dog are easier to train, but this isn't always true. Every individual puppy is different.

Some puppies are eager to please. These dogs make a natural family dog. Others are born with serious drive. These type of dogs typically do better on challenging hunts.

While there are some differences, neither gender is inherently better than the other. Both male and female puppies can grow into outstanding retrievers. It ultimately boils down to nurture over nature.

Your dog will develop based on two things- How much you put into it, and whether or not you build its foundation properly. That said, there are some tendencies that are generally related to the sex of the dog that may be of interest to you.

Females often mature a bit quicker than males, but by the time they reach adulthood, they’re usually on par. The biggest difference tends to be size—males are generally larger and heavier than females. If you’re looking for a smaller dog, a female might be the better choice. If you hunt big geese, maybe you would want to go with a beefy male hunting dog.

Another consideration is spaying or neutering. If you don't spay your female pet, you will have to deal with her heat cycles twice a year. This can be inconvenient, especially during hunting season or competitions.

Male dogs can have a tendency to mark their territory. A lot of people recommend neutering male dogs to help cut down on this. Frankly, I think it's best to train them well, make them obedient, and correct them for marking in unwanted spots. This will help will help with unwanted behaviors from male dogs.

All that said, I do not spay my dogs until their breeding life is over. I like to leave them as God made them.

In terms of performance, both male and female dogs will excel if properly trained. Ultimately, the choice comes down to personal preference.

4. Personality: The Golden Ticket

Personality is the golden ticket when choosing a healthy puppy. The truth is, finding a dog with the personality traits you want is key to a successful partnership.

As mentioned earlier, picking the right litter is crucial. Once you’ve narrowed down your list of breeders, enlist their help in finding the litter most likely to produce the individual personality traits you’re looking for.

Do your research on the potential breedings you’re considering. If possible, see the dogs working in person. If not, ask the breeder for videos or any available information about the parents' lineage.

Don’t be afraid to explore other dogs as well. Learn about the traits you like and dislike. Once you have a clear idea of what you’re looking for, discuss it with your breeder. A reputable breeder will do everything possible to help you find a puppy that fits your needs.

5. The One Key That Makes All the Difference

With all this in mind, there’s one key that will make all the difference: You.

No matter which puppy you choose, you have the opportunity to mold that pup into the best dog it can be. The more you invest in your dog—in time, dog training, effort, and dedication—the more you’ll get out of the relationship.

Helping your dog reach its full potential is a journey that takes time, but it’s one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. The investment you make in your dog will pay off in years of enjoyment and memories that last a lifetime. One of the best investments you can make in your dog is education for yourself. You can learn how to become your dogs trainer by using Cornerstone Gundog Academy online courses.

What’s Next?

Once you’ve picked your puppy, it’s time to prepare for bringing them home. Be sure to check out the next blog in this series here.

BuildFromHere,

Josh