How do you pick your pups

[Cajun]

  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.

[Judge peel]

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

[BIG BEN]

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

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[halfbreed]

    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 .!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DOGMAN HOLLIS]

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

[barlow]

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!

[hoghunter71409]

I let my friends do it for me.

[Bo Pugh]

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

[Reuben]

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... 

[Corey]

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

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

[Reuben]

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

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...

[booney]

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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[Reuben]

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...

[MrsLouisianaHogDog]

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.

[booney]

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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[justincorbell]

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.

[TazD]

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!!

[T-Bob Parker]

Pick? im keeping all of em! 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 
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

[RyanTBH]

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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[buddylee]

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.