Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Sylva, North Carolina (the far Western Tip of the State)
Posts: 10272

I was just curious to what everyone looked for in a puppy.

We let our puppies out today for the first time and some were running around like they'd been out all the time. Some were kind of wary at first. I think this is normal. I cant blame them for being itchy about it. After about 10 minutes they were all running around sniffing of everything.

So, what are some good qualities that pups show at this age (5 weeks) that would key you in to what kind of dog they will be? Or are they just puppies and can turn out anyway. I know that what experiences that a pup has can determine what kind of dog it will be. Like making it afraid and stuff like that.

So, what do you all think. What are some good characterstics that each of you look for?

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Marshfield, MO
Posts: 1187

looks, a pup will turn out different with someone else as it would with you good or bad, and making a pup a dog is all about oppertunity and thats what you must give them, i just got a Redbone pup in May that was 6 wks old and he was out going and was still a little to himself around the other pups, and hes good looking, the way i would look at it is if your are gonna get one get a looker. just my opinion

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Justin Coffel

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Weyers Cave Va
Posts: 13413

Once you've done all the homework on the cross and decide which cross you like the rest is a crapshoot.Watch them all you like but its hard to tell whats gonna do what.Just pick the one that catches your eye for what ever reason and put the time and hard work into it that it needs and you should get a good one.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Los Angeles, MN
Posts: 4236

I pick the one that is colored the way I like, (black)......or if there isnt much difference,,,,,I find a little kid to pick one..

For the record~the kid picking them has worked EVERY time...

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: bainbridge ny
Posts: 812

usualy if the pup i'm picking is of my own breeding i usualy pick the one that is mostly like the mother because that was the reason for breeding her in the first place this last litter i picked the one just like mom and another pup picked me so i kept two so far the one that picked me appears to be the best pup just keep watchimg the litter and one will pop up that you will want to keep the think that amazes me is how much these two pups i kept do things that the mother does since little they constanly look up in the trees when i take them to the woods and they sniff the air befor heading off

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1333

Christy,scatter a couple handfuls of dogfeed in the yard,just toss it out there.Let the pups out and watch them hunt for the feed.
Helps me make up my mind.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 437

I ask that they all be cut loose then I kneel down...... first one to come to me is the one I pick.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 821

When picking out pups off litters I am raising I usually go with the one in the litter that does everything first. I have had good luck with them being pretty independent. I dont know why but they are also usually females which is great for me cuz thats what i like to hunt. My pups are usually colored up good anyway so color doesnt really help me too much. Just like everyone else, its hard to go wrong with a friendly pup also. But what do I know....Sometimes I wonder if I would know what a coon dog was if it jumped up and bit me...lol

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: SW Michigan-again
Posts: 2311

The best dog I ever hade was a Jack Russel. He found me,I was walking around at the Kenton Nationals about 6 yrs ago. Looked down at something that bumped my shoe- there he was following me 6-weeks old no bigger than a breeze, 100's of people walking and he kept looking up at me and followed me a long ways for a 6" tall pup. I turned around and walked back in the direction we came from and he still followed me. found the owner that had the litter. She was suprised i came back she thought she lost the pup or someone stole it. He cost me $150.00 but was a good friend until he tried to follow the kids to school and was taken on the road.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: OHIO
Posts: 962

if i am raising the pups,at 5-6 weeks i will take a bucket with a little feed soaked in warm water(so the steam and scent rises) the bucket should just be tall enough so the pups can just get their feet and noses to the rim(cant see in it) i set the bucket down where they cant see it and let them all out of the pen then walk them around so they find the bucket ---the one that gets up on it and does the best job treeing is mine!! if im going to pick up a pup and its the only time i see them i am like the other guys --i let the pup pick me.
my little girl usually picks a favorite out of my litters and packs it around and babies it---of course when someone comes over to pick thats the one that always runs up to them 1st----then she trains another one to pick the customer lol

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: The Great State of Tennessee
Posts: 2555

I agree let them pick you. Also someone said to hang a coon tail and the first one there I get. If they all went for it, pick the fastest one.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Beaver Springs, Pennsylvania
Posts: 3316

Well, for the most part when picking a pup, I go by gut instinct. The first time I laid eyes on Autumn at 01 Autumn Oaks, I KNEW she was the one. Out of all those pups there, she was the one that caught my eye. I brought her home & now look what she has become. The samething happened with Faith in May. First look & I was sold, just ask HOBO about that lol. When picking the pups from this last litter, when Mariah choose hers at newborn & Zam Zam just kinda wormed his way into our hearts. He won hubby over major time & guess who is staying, lol. So I really have no fool proof method, but going with my gut feeling & playing with them as they grow & having one choose you.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Sylva, North Carolina (the far Western Tip of the State)
Posts: 10272

He is such a cute puppy. Everywhere on his body that there is a spot, there is another to match. Two on his nose, two on his neck, two on his butt, and two on his belly. We have called him Two Spots since he was 1 day old. He kind of picked me. He'd lay off by himself, instead of piling up with the other puppies to go to sleep. When he was 3 weeks old he trailed and found his bottle by him self! It was soooooo cute.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Talala, Oklahoma
Posts: 5208

The only two things you can really tell much about when pups are small are looks and disposition. Of the two, disposition is the most critical to me.

I can't stand a shy, stand-offish pup. I want one friendly, alert, and bold.

I also like a pup with a pretty head and ears.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Comer, Georgia
Posts: 4724

and at that age even looks can fool ya.......had a litter of Redbones out of my Gr. Ch. female and Elburns old Banger dog........sold 'em all but one.............it's feet were terrible lookin', boxy headed at 5 weeks......well, I kept him because nobody else would have him............feet tightened up........he made Gr. Show in 8 straight shows.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Sylva, North Carolina (the far Western Tip of the State)
Posts: 10272

Hello!! Can't wait until you get to see the puppies in real life. I am getting ready to go to Wal-Mart and have some pictures developed of them. We had a big cook out at Standing Indian yesterday, and we took them over there with us. It was soo fun, we'd take them walking in the camping areas and through the woods, it was fun to watch them figure out how to get around and over stuff!!!

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Registered: Jul 2006
Location: Carrollton,Missouri
Posts: 947

Sometimes i think im better off going in with my eyes closed and picking one.I usually let my wife pick her favorite,she seems to be good at it.I always look at there personality.How outgoing they are.You can usually tell the ones that are the leaders.

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Registered: Apr 2006
Location: south carolina
Posts: 166

quote:

---

Originally posted by HOBO
Once you've done all the homework on the cross and decide which cross you like the rest is a crapshoot.Watch them all you like but its hard to tell whats gonna do what.Just pick the one that catches your eye for what ever reason and put the time and hard work into it that it needs and you should get a good one.

---

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Tim M

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Registered: Dec 2003
Location: East Texas
Posts: 3970

I dont fool with pups, but If I did, I would pick one that is not shy.
Other than that, you may be raising a dud, or a good one, you will just have to wait.

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Registered: Feb 2008
Location: SOUTHEASTERN ILLINOIS
Posts: 1451

i have had several people tell me to pick the ugliest one. the breeder said my shaker dog was the ugliest in the litter and NOBODY wanted him. after a year of me hunting him he went from nothing to 1 win shy of dual grand and the best dog i have ever owned. lol maybe there is some truth to what they been telling me! i wouldn't have ever picked a mostly white walker.

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Registered: Dec 2005
Location: wakarusa, indiana
Posts: 3304

take what is left in a litter,, then you cant blame yourself for picking wrong,,, i raised my first litter couple years ago,, took the ugliest pup ,, becasue he was the last one left and gave him the worst name,lol Hombre and he was the most timid,, he ended up being the best one of the litter

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Registered: Apr 2009
Location: Kings' Mtn. KY
Posts: 289

Luckily Chris & I can let every litter run loose. They come & go as they please by cracking kennel door just enough that pups can get out but mothers can't. I always pick the one thats out checking things out while others are sleeping after feeding . This usually ends up being the one that's gone to the hollow the most too. I absolutley will not pick a pup that's not extremely bold & freindly. It's always out of a coondog female too. Luckily I don't have a problem with the pup I pick hunting hard & being naturally independent. I love a dog that uses it's own mind & doesn't depend on something to hunt with & I've never had a problem by picking in this way thankfully.

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Registered: Apr 2006
Location: Minerva, Ohio
Posts: 1103

I have only had to pick 2 pups so far. First one was my alimony dog, last one left. No one wanted her, turned out good for me. My second pup the guy let them out of the pen, and he took off into the woods at 8 weeks old like he was going hunting. I said ill take that one. Turned out pretty good to. 2 for 2 no more dogs for me, I wanna keep my perfect record!

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Registered: Oct 2007
Location: Enid,Oklahoma.
Posts: 377

I like the runts.... A runt has had to have determination to stay alive, and get through beeting by the other pups, and fight for the right to get some of momas milk. The runt also fits me because I like a smaller built dog no matter male or female... I have also noticed runts set back and take in the situations, they are smarter in my opinion....

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Registered: May 2006
Location: Gauley Bridge,Wv
Posts: 2938

i look at the way the pup acts,looks,size,color an male or female depending on what i want at the time

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