[jpndave]

If the breeder is good, I would let them know what you are looking for and have them help make the decision. For my last pup, I had picked one from the litter on appearance, etc., and after back and forth on what I was looking for with the breeder she insisted I wanted a different pup. After some dilemma back and forth I took the breeder's advice and she was right. The dog has been exceptional and I would have missed out on that with the other puppy. If the breeder is living with the puppies they can advise which is bolder, which is the bully, who is afraid of their shadow, most outgoing, etc.

That said the pups will certainly change as they grow. Once the biggest bully is gone that runt may really turn around. A lot of the advice on here is sound and the breeder will see that as they grow.

I am getting ready to add another dog from a buddy's planned litter and I will absolutely let him guide my choice. I'll let him know the general direction I want to go, male or female, general qualities but listen after that.

Good luck!

 

[jpndave]

I”m a firm believer in letting the breeder pick the right pup for me. He or she is with the puppies 24/7, knows their personalities and talents far better than I would in a short visit. When adding to my household, I’ve told the breeder what I’m looking for, and what my goals are for my new dog. Each time the breeder has made the choice for me, and it’s worked out beautifully.

This!

LOL, I must have just missed your post when I started mine. I agree wholeheartedly!

 

[Kenneth Niles Bora]

It probably depends more on who gets the pup than picking at 7-8 weeks .......

So.....
Connie Cleveland, Danny Farmer and I all get pups from the same litter. They might do more better than mine????
Say it ain't so!😎

 

[Pete]

I”m a firm believer in letting the breeder pick the right pup for me. He or she is with the puppies 24/7, knows their personalities and talents far better than I would in a short visit. When adding to my household, I’ve told the breeder what I’m looking for, and what my goals are for my new dog. Each time the breeder has made the choice for me, and it’s worked out beautifully.

It sounds like your saying the breeder spend a lot of time with the pups and kind of knows what your looking for. She must be evaluating them . Then choosing which one might meet your needs
Pete

 

[StraightShooter65]

3X NFC Candlewoods Tanks A Lot was the puppy no one wanted and there are other examples of the last pup taken being the best dog. IMO evaluating a puppy from one encounter is a useless waste of time. I asked Len Ferrucci, who seemed to have the touch for picking pups, how do you choose a puppy? He quickly replied I pick one with charisma. I second Ohio Mike’s advice.

I am new here but not to Labs. I got to pet Candlewoods Tanks A Lot at The Horicon Amateur Field Trial Club near Horicon WI WAY BACK..LOL Mike Lardy was there training. I didn't wash my hand for a week...lol

 

[drunkenpoacher]

I am new here but not to Labs. I got to pet Candlewoods Tanks A Lot at The Horicon Amateur Field Trial Club near Horicon WI WAY BACK..LOL Mike Lardy was there training. I didn't wash my hand for a week...lol

A few weeks ago in Texas, I shook EdA's hand. Haven't washed it since.

 

[J. Marti]

A few weeks ago in Texas, I shook EdA's hand. Haven't washed it since.

You're such a name-dropper. Next, you'll be boasting about petting the Golden who was runner-up to the second place Golden at Westminster.

 

[drunkenpoacher]

You're such a name-dropper. Next, you'll be boasting about petting the Golden who was runner-up to the second place Golden at Westminster.

3rd place?

 

[Dave Kress]

Great topic !
my stories (2)
1) Fancy was the independent one - off by herself and doing her thing. We had pick pup. Now at 9 she’s the only one titled and couldn’t be more of a daddy’s dog.
2) From a litter we bred ; of 2 females to pick from the buyer selected one that early on became an Fc / AFC. The one we wanted and not chosen 1st has not finished an all age stake at 5 , another became the Current NDC
Puppy picking : odds are better at LV than at my kennel
Dk

 

[Dave Kress]

Oops on post 89
There’s a 3rd story ; there were 3 females and the one we chose as pick may not be all all age dog. Another of the litter is the current NDC and yet another was a NDC finalist.
There’s no way I know what to pick.
dk

 

[Jmoods33]

Oops on post 89
There’s a 3rd story ; there were 3 females and the one we chose as pick may not be all all age dog. Another of the litter is the current NDC and yet another was a NDC finalist.
There’s no way I know what to pick.
dk

Thank you for picking Emmy for me!

 

[Frostyhollow]

Well, I have finally put a deposit down on a pup from what looks to be a very nice litter and now I need some suggestions on how to actually pick the pup. I have first pick of the males. I know that when I first began my search back in 2021, someone posted a very good explanation of how to run a little test on puppies' reactions to various things but I can't find it now. Anyone have suggestions.

Thanks

HPL

I don’t think there is a best pick, however there maybe a best fit. Many exceptional dogs were the last pup in the litter. Picking the right genetics ( litter) is key.

Tell the breeder what you want and your level of experience training and let them help you pick.

 

[HPL]

Well, we picked up our new pup last tues from Valedictorian Retrievers. A nice 7 week old yellow male, call name Mitch. He is a ball of energy, but has been pretty good about sleeping at night with generally one call of nature around midnight or so and the next around 6:00 am. Very quiet in the crate until he needs to go out. Today we installed a play pen area in the house and when he wanted to take a nap, he went right into the crate and went to sleep. Very happy with that. Thanks Juli for all the work you did with the pups before we picked him up. Here is a video of him interacting with our 10ish year old rescue part pit girl.

 

[Tobias]

I believe Mitch has found the perfect home. It was great to help you pick your puppy. And I am sure if he follows in the footsteps of his half-siblings and his genetics, he will be a terrific gun dog. This litter was really a lot of fun.

 

[drdawg]

no matter what anyone tells you we all tend to obsess over picking "the right one."
Rex used to tell us, Pick the right breeding then just reach in and grab one!

 

[Snuper338]

After 25 years of trying to pick puppies, sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing, this is the method I now use. The breeder knows more about the pups than you ever will

And as long as they are honest, ask and listen! All a craps shoot in the end. But a good breeder has spent many many hours with the pups from birth and should know the parents well.

My first questions always how do you know the sire? Do they even know him or is he a random pick off retreiver results popular demand flavor of the day?

Picking a litter, breeder, knowledge of the breeding, why they bred the dogs, resukts wanted, health issues, rea world knowledge of both parents, and pedigree is much more insurance than trying to pick a pup out...

Ill even go as far as saying even some big name people are not worth getting a dog from or breeding to their dog due to hidden secrets. There is most definently a dark side. Just like race horses.

 

[EdA]

Ill even go as far as saying even some big name people are not worth getting a dog from or breeding to their dog due to hidden secrets. There is most definently a dark side. Just like race horses.

That is quite a blanket indictment of an ill defined group. Would you define “big name people”? And for those of us, most I would guess, tell us the “dark side of race horses”

 

[jjbuckley]

I picked up my new golden 3 1/2 weeks ago from Old Oak kennels in Southern Minnesota. He has gained 7 pounds. He is with my 7-year-old male golden, and they get along and play most of the time. I've started to give my older dog some time without the pup. Old Oak breeds English Labs, trains and has a kennel. It's a really nice facility. Andrea handles the Golden side of the business. The sire was whelped in Italy and she own's him. The dam is also owned by Andrea. I saw both dogs when I picked the pup up. My pup is very smart, brave and playful. It's been a real eye opener having another puppy. I've lost 10 lbs. chasing him around and don't have to work out anymore. He's enrolled in Puppy 1 and learning quickly. I've been breaking him to live fire by taking him to my club when they shoot trap and skeet. I start very far away and walk both dogs up gradually. He doesn't blink. Old Oak obviously was working with the pups. I researched the breeding extensively. I also spoke with and researched a number of other very nice breeding's and decided on this one.