EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

  I am sure this topic has been talked about before but what criteria do ya'll use for picking the pups you are going to keep.

A lot of folks look at the build of the dog to make sure it hits there standerd but hard to tell what it will actually turn out to be the right look unless you have been breeding those same dogs for a good while I don't count a dog out due that. Good looking and good built pup or dog can come in all sizes pretty don't win the hunt but looking good don't hurt none ether. I just grab the one that seems to like me the best if ya know what they are coming out of and you like them just close your eyes and grab one lol

^^^^agree. Its a crap shoot!!

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    if they are from someone elses yard , just go into the puppy pen with your eyes closed and the first one you trip over is the one   lol  .  with the dogs bred around the house it has all ways been a family tradition to keep the first one to find it's way out of or over the puppy pen  . no matter what it looks like .

   when I was selling a few pups , I never picked my keepers from the litter and all ways wound up with the runts and butt ugly pups . and at a year old the ugly pups looked like fine dogs and the runts were as big as their litter mates .   that's why I hate trying to sell a dog on the www. [ pictures ] you cain't tell a darn thing about a pup from a picture of it .!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i always liked the ones that back up and bark at me

It's very simple for me. At one day old I pick the pup that is the best based on color, size, how much he/she whines, etc. And then I just change my mind about 6 or 7 times a day for the next year. Easy, peasy.

The ultimate goal is keeping the best performing animal but without a crystal ball I just rely on looks, personality and gut feelings. Something that I'm a sucker for is if there is a pup who seems like he is near the top of the pecking order . . but without being the most aggressive. I think it's a confidence thing and the other pups know it without him having to bite holes in their ears. IMO . . confidence, self esteem, independence . . whatever you call it . . is a big factor in a dog being great versus being a decent representative of his pedigree.

Physical characteristics aren't everything but things I like to see in pups are . .

Black pads and toenails. They are tougher than white, blue or pink and will hold up better in long races over rough terrain.

A comfortable running gait from an early age. If they run awkwardly or "bunny hop" as pups . . I won't keep em.

Black or dark eyes. Not a deal breaker but I don't like a yellow eyed dog.

Good, deep padded feet.

Tri-fold ears that originate from the top of the head rather than the sides.  Looking at types or breeds of dogs . . faster usually goes with high set ears. And I just like it.

Black nose and eye liner. Protects from the sun. I have never owned a Blue Lacy so will not comment . . but in other breeds and lines of dogs blue pigmentation is absolutely a weakness and is more susceptible to skin disease, wear and some forms of cancer.

Loud mouth used appropriately. I don't care if a dog is silent or open on a track but he has to use the mouth to his advantage and not just track babble or bark incessantly from the kennel. Which is really an indicator of an even more important asset.

BRAINS.

Even though it is hard to ignore . . . I try not to let early starters be a factor in choice. I believe that early start is a product of instinct versus brains, learning and the ability to continue improving with age. Everybody wants early starters but I just don't think it is ANY INDICATION AT ALL of how a dog will finish out. This might make a good topic for further discussion . . but I often wonder how many superstars die young to make kennel space for some average though precocious dud.

And . . when all else is equal . . I always bet on black!

I let my friends do it for me.

If I get one off someone's else's yard I just get one it really don't matter to me. But the last litter of pups I had I kept all of them and when they was six weeks old I picked out one I like and would of got if it was coming off another yard. I kept all but picked my picks to see if I picked the best or not. Well the one I picked died and the one I didn't like none is looking like going to be the best pup. So it's really like rolling the dice when getting a pup.  I think keeping the whole litter is the way to go then pick a couple pups later in life to keep that way you don't end up getting rid of the best ones

I agree with Barlow as usual...  :)

and a great hunting dog that looks good is a great pleasure to hunt and feed...I am one who believes in doing our very best in picking the best...I will observe the pups daily and I will note every detail on each pup such as nose, grit, range, aloofness, going off exploring on its own etc...etc...

I don't like crazy hyper dogs...the very best tend to be laid back until it is time to play or hunt...seems they are observant of their surroundings...it seems that these pups are above it all...the rest of the pups are rough housing doing what average pups do...my hopes are to pick the great hunting dog and not the average hunting dog...I have been wrong before...especially when not knowing much about the line of dogs...but breeding several generations of good dogs then the chances of getting what we want to up...I like the dogs I have now but they will not reproduce a high percentage of good dogs just because it is not a set bloodline as yet...

when the pups are 2 weeks old I throw one of my old sweaty T-shirts in the box but only after I trim their nails...I want them to know who I am and I am always around 24-7...In use hunger in my favor to train pups...I always let them out to run before feeding time and call them in to their pen when feeding along with hand signals so they are learning voice and hand commands...

before I turn them out I give them pieces of raw beef liver thru the fence and by the second day they are crazy over it...after a few days I let them sniff some liver and won't give them any...I will scatter it in the yard upwind from them and I will see which are winding...open gate and hiss them to find along with a hand signal...I will see who takes to it "NATURALLY" and who finds the most...usually never changes...do this twice a week for a while...I also used to lay a liver track down just to see who led the pack around...that does not change with age as well...and I sure like a 6 month old pup that takes a beating from a hog and gets right back in his face...

I believe in picking natural ability...that requires very little training...mostly showing them what is acceptable to hunt is about it...

for many years I have been looking at the world champion hunting dog pictures in the dog magazines just looking for anything that sets them apart...it seems they have a natural regal look about them...I see lots of confidence...that above it all look about them...you can follow if you like or I will go at it alone...it don't matter...I look for that "look" in a pup as well...

Will I make the right choice? Maybe and maybe not but it sure is fun trying...  ;)

X2
If I had to choose at 6-8 weeks old, this would be my pick.

x3...

I have seen some aggressive pups that were just the opposite in the woods...and have seen some pups that stayed out the way and tried to get along with the bolder pups...and in the woods were more like catch dogs with a ton of bravery...

I like early starters with lots of natural ability and smart as well...

I have had some dogs I would put down with any dog any time...no off days and no excuses needed for these dogs...but I only have had a once in a lifetime dog one time...he amazed me at 10 weeks and never stopped after that...what set him apart even from the good ones was brain power...

You guys will pry laugh at me but we let our 6 week old coyote hound pups chase tame rabbit like to see which ones stay after them and will keep looking after we grab rabbit look for the most consistent ones of the group

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I like what you said there Booney...I don't keep cats but I like to see a 10 week old pup bay one or better yet tree it...

I feel that the breed or 'type' of dog the pups are can have a strong influence as to how you'd take your best shot at picking a pup as well.

Rueden I agree I have a litter of 6 week old July pups I showed a rabbit to yesterday and they ran it around for a couple minutes I'll do that till they can catch it and then slowly start picking and choosing

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If I am picking pups to keep out of my own dogs I usually for one reason or another end up keeping the pups that look the most like their parents unless I have friends wanting pups (as I currently do with the litter I have on the ground now) then I usually end up keeping whichever pups are left over. The perfect scenario for me in my yard is to keep most if not all pups until they are old enough to take to the woods to be able to get out and explore and to show a small hog a couple times, then I do as anyone else on this board would do, I keep the best and pass the other pups that are working out to friends and hunting buddies and the others, well ya'll know.

I agree with Barlow when picking a pup. I do not like the pup that is fighting all the time trying to show dominance all the time. I like the pup that is social but minds his own buisness, when he is bullied he takes care of himself and backs the other pup down and then goes about his buisness. When in the yard running around it is wondering around following his nose and exploring by himself not following. I also like a dog that minds and shows the ability to learn early when exposed to game.

I have only kept one whole litter and made my decision when they were 6-7mo old. That worked for me. Then again all the pups turned out!!

Pick? im keeping all of em! ;D Whichever ones survive momma, weening, coccidiosis, Parvo, the blacktop road, the donkey, the first summer of grain hunting and ultimately survive the cull hammer is(are) the one(s) Ill keep feeding  :laugh:
I had a litter of eight born in January bred to the 9's as far as im concerned and ive got one left alive now and for the sake of not jinxing her ill say im keeping my fingers crossed for her

I think we sit more with Justin. It's nice to be able to raise them until they've had all their shots. Start them as early as you see their ready for it, and pick which ones you like best... then keep the others close as possible incase they turn out better so you can breed back to em. Love messing with pups,  but it's a damn chore for sure. Lol

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If u have to pick one early, I'm a firm believer in looking at their eyes. I like a dog that looks at me with a serious look. Not aggressive but pays a lot of attention with a serious gaze at whatever it's interested in.

I got one that is cat crazy he's broke off everything cept hogs and occasional deer but looses his frikin mind everyday when my wife's cats come to eat I mean foamin at the mouth peein type excited idk if a cat jumped on him before or what.

I know that right lol but hell Ryan.........something about watching pups turn it on just makes me grin and puts me in a good mood (as im sure it does everyone else lol) but I really think I enjoy workin and raising pups more so than just goin out hunting the grown dogs.

That's what it's all about for me now... To see that switch get flipped, and the progression start on a pup you've bred is like no other feeling. I'm more into training the pups and getting them ready to hunt than hunting itself now it seems. I mean don't get me wrong, I love to get out and put hands on a hog, but it's about the dogs and judging them now. I pay attention to everything I can when it comes to judging the pups as they get older... Conformation, nose, bottom, mouth, ect... I like the ones that for the same mold as the breeding plan I'm trying to follow, but so far most of them have hit the mark that I'm looking for.

^ absolutely, thats what its all about.........long as you are makin progress you are headed in the right direction!

Close your eyes reach in a toe sack and pull one out is how I use to do it.

I like to keep all of them and cull when they have had a chance to show me what they are made of, probably at a year old or so. But when picking at six or seven weeks, I look for the one's most like their parents, male pup that looks like the sire and female pup that looks like the dam. I also want the independent pups, not shy, but a little aloof, kind of like they are a little above the others. Seems like these kind would just as soon find their own game to run, don't need any help to find game. But in the end it's just a crap shoot. The ugliest, runty, shy one may turn out to be the best, you just never know. How about you Cajun, how do you pick your pups?         

  When pups are 6 or 7 weeks old, I just dont think it matters which one you pick. If it is a well bred litter, there is no way to pick ability in a pup so just grab one that suits you & go with it.
  I have kept runts before & they turned out to be just as good as the others. Now I tend to pick one that is more in size with the average of the litter.
  You can definently change the size of your dogs. If you always pick the biggest male or the biggest female you will see a increase in size of your dogs in just a few breedings. Same with runts.
  I really believe that it is not which pup you pick as how much exposure & hunting a pup gets as whether he makes it or not. My dogs do not do good staying in a kennel until they are a year old & then taken out & I dont believe anybody else's dogs do either. JMO

runts usually don't stay runts...that has been my experience with pups...and 6 or 7 week old pups are as you said...a crap shoot...10 to 12 weeks and one can already see consistent differences in the pups if we are looking to pick the best pups in the litter...but it is best to keep as many as possible and slowly cut down as they mature until we have what we believe are the best pups at 8-10 months or even older if they come from a slower maturing line of dogs...