Clodagh
Playing chess with pigeons
I have tried that the last couple of days and she is loads better if she can’t just see it. But her attention span is miniscule! I stop after two as I worry she’ll be off elsewhere. Sound sensible?
Gundog people
- Thread starter Clodagh
- Start date
Clodagh
Playing chess with pigeons
My training is not helped by the fact I’m never at home. 
druid
Well-Known Member
2 is the most retrieves I do with pups anyway, I don't think you gain much by doing more. Plenty of my training sessions they might do 5 even as adults. Quality not quantity
Clodagh
Playing chess with pigeons
Thank you.
druid
Well-Known Member
@BallyRoanBaubles
They are looking for entries for the GR only novice at Bretby Park NE11 on Jan 14th. Not sure if that is miles from you!
They are looking for entries for the GR only novice at Bretby Park NE11 on Jan 14th. Not sure if that is miles from you!
Thistle
Well-Known Member
Toast Pups, born Sat 3rd on due date, 2 black girls, a black boy and 4 yellow dogs. One dog, known as number 6 is bigger than the others and very adventurous! Not mine, but one will be!
BallyRoanBaubles
Buys real biscuits
It's about 2-2 1/2 hours away from me so not a million miles, Ive not done any training over Xmas and got a few things I want to work on, got a game training day on Saturday! But thank you for thinking of me
Thistle
Well-Known Member
Help me to choose a puppy please.
I have first choice. Born 3rd January, 7 pups, 2 girls, 5 boys, I want a boy, there is one black and 4 yellow. Breeder is a first time breeder but ex midwife so pretty clued up. I'm not too bothered about the colour, would rather get the 'right' pup for me.
My dogs work, but less than once a week during the season, they live indoors but I have kennels if I need them. I would also like to compete in working tests.
To be fair to the breeder and other potential owners I have to make my choice by 5/6 weeks.
I'm trying not to be emotional about getting one that looks like Toast etc etc.
If you're choosing a gundog pup what do you look for, in a cold clinical way?
I've visited the pups once, they're just opening eyes, nothing really to see, breeder was very keen to show me the pups, I was happy to wait but she's not too far away so called in for a coffee (in clean non doggy clothes)
2 boys, the black and Mr Orange are big lumps, Mr Turquoise is fairly small (not tiny) but first up on his feet, Mr Purple is between the fatties and Mr Turquoise in size, Mr White was smaller than the girls at birth, he's more than doubled in weight but noticeably smaller and daintier than the other boys. He's first to open his eyes (I think I've crossed him off my list already).
The girls are greedy feisty sisters and are the same weight as Mr Purple now.
I'm planning on visiting every 10 days or so trying to narrow down my choice.
I'm not a fan of huge lab dogs, I like Toast's size, around 30 kg. I also like a decent, not narrow head, but they've all got nice heads (the mum has a very nice head as does Toast).
Should I be looking at muzzle length? I'll check jaw alignment once they have teeth and are being weaned. I'll check for umbilical hernias, basic limb alignment, foot conformation. They all seem to have nice thick tails.
Breeder is keeping good records, using an app that plots graphs etc so easy to follow growth.
Thanks for reading, any helpful ideas are welcome
I have first choice. Born 3rd January, 7 pups, 2 girls, 5 boys, I want a boy, there is one black and 4 yellow. Breeder is a first time breeder but ex midwife so pretty clued up. I'm not too bothered about the colour, would rather get the 'right' pup for me.
My dogs work, but less than once a week during the season, they live indoors but I have kennels if I need them. I would also like to compete in working tests.
To be fair to the breeder and other potential owners I have to make my choice by 5/6 weeks.
I'm trying not to be emotional about getting one that looks like Toast etc etc.
If you're choosing a gundog pup what do you look for, in a cold clinical way?
I've visited the pups once, they're just opening eyes, nothing really to see, breeder was very keen to show me the pups, I was happy to wait but she's not too far away so called in for a coffee (in clean non doggy clothes)
2 boys, the black and Mr Orange are big lumps, Mr Turquoise is fairly small (not tiny) but first up on his feet, Mr Purple is between the fatties and Mr Turquoise in size, Mr White was smaller than the girls at birth, he's more than doubled in weight but noticeably smaller and daintier than the other boys. He's first to open his eyes (I think I've crossed him off my list already).
The girls are greedy feisty sisters and are the same weight as Mr Purple now.
I'm planning on visiting every 10 days or so trying to narrow down my choice.
I'm not a fan of huge lab dogs, I like Toast's size, around 30 kg. I also like a decent, not narrow head, but they've all got nice heads (the mum has a very nice head as does Toast).
Should I be looking at muzzle length? I'll check jaw alignment once they have teeth and are being weaned. I'll check for umbilical hernias, basic limb alignment, foot conformation. They all seem to have nice thick tails.
Breeder is keeping good records, using an app that plots graphs etc so easy to follow growth.
Thanks for reading, any helpful ideas are welcome
druid
Well-Known Member
Check bites, check for testicles (should be dropped by 8 weeks if you are being ruthless about breeding potential)
Then assess.
Take each pup away from mum/siblings into a novel area with owner/breeder watching from a hidden spot. How do they react. Are they focused on you? Are they stressed by the separation? Will they retrieve/pick up a little tennis ball or rolled up sock? If they do pick what do they do - beetle in to you or bugger off?
That's how I chose anyway!
Then assess.
Take each pup away from mum/siblings into a novel area with owner/breeder watching from a hidden spot. How do they react. Are they focused on you? Are they stressed by the separation? Will they retrieve/pick up a little tennis ball or rolled up sock? If they do pick what do they do - beetle in to you or bugger off?
That's how I chose anyway!
Thistle
Well-Known Member
Thanks
Good point about the retrieving, I chose Toast because he carried everything around and was happy to show/bring it to me. I also wanted a red, there were 2 only reds. Daughter ended up rehoming the other red at 11 months when it's owners circumstances changed. Our last name is Forsyth, dog was already called Bruce,obviously meant to come to our family. He doesn't live with me but is a regular visitor.
Breeder will be ok with me taking pups into the hallway/kitchen to assess individually I think.
Good point about the retrieving, I chose Toast because he carried everything around and was happy to show/bring it to me. I also wanted a red, there were 2 only reds. Daughter ended up rehoming the other red at 11 months when it's owners circumstances changed. Our last name is Forsyth, dog was already called Bruce,obviously meant to come to our family. He doesn't live with me but is a regular visitor.
Breeder will be ok with me taking pups into the hallway/kitchen to assess individually I think.