KENNEL TALK

by

Ken M.Blomberg

 

“Picking a Pup”

 

 

     Spring is just around the corner and thoughts turn towards buying that brand new puppy.  Maybe it's your first hunting dog, or a back-up companion to an older dog.  Whatever the case, making a choice out of a whelping box full of puppies can be tricky.  Everyone has ideas for choosing a hunting dog, and here's mine.  I’ve written these words for Badger Sportsman several times over the past twenty years, but it’s my guess they’re worth repeating.

     When buying a pup, remember my "ten rules to live by."

1.)    Pick a breed that suits your needs.  If you're a die-hard duck hunter, buy a retriever.

 If you mix in some pheasant and grouse hunting, look at the versatile pointing breeds.  If you live in a small apartment in the city and want a pointing dog, look at the Brittany spaniel.  Read everything you can find on the different breeds.  Talk to experienced owners and breeders.  Call the local kennel club for names and phone numbers.   Be prepared to listen to some prejudice, everyone has their favorite breed.  Keep an open mind.

2.)    Choose a good breeder.  Kennels and breeders with good reputations sell dogs by

word of mouth and reference.  Be prepared to get on a waiting list for some, as many litters are sold before they're born.  Don't shy away from a one-time backyard breeder.  Some of the best come from this type of arrangement (see rule number 

     3.) The parents must be hunters.  It "takes two to tango" and parents from hunting stock tend to produce hunting stock.  Knowing that the puppy you choose has come from hunting parents increases the odds that yours will have the ingredients to become a hunter.

     4.) Color doesn't matter.  This is purely a personal choice.  It will not influence the dog's hunting abilities.

     5.) Sex doesn't matter.  Male, or female?  Personal opinion varies on this subject like breed choice.  Some swear by females, while others wouldn't hunt with anything but a male.  Like different breeds, there's good and bad individuals in both sexes.

     6.) Ask the breeder.  Don't be afraid to ask a reputable breeder to recommend an individual pup out of the litter.  While you might only have a few hours to view and pick a pup, the breeder knows the litter intimately by seven to eight weeks.  If properly socialized by the breeder, only the dam knows the pups better.

     7.) Visit the litter more than once.  If you find healthy looking pups, that are well kept and socialized, and you like what you see, put down a deposit and return after your first visit.  The breeder won't mind, and may admire your serious method of choice by reason, not emotions.  

     8.) Avoid an overly shy, or aggressive pup.  The extremes of personality traits should be recognized.  While aggressive pups can develop into outstanding individuals, they tend to be too much for the average handler.  Shy individuals need to be handled carefully during early developmental stages.  Middle of the road pups may be your best bet.

     9.) Ask for a health guarantee.  Again, this is something a reputable breeder should provide with registration papers and shot and worming information.  Take your new dog to the vet for a health check-up soon after you take over ownership.  Any health defects should be reported to the breeder, who should welcome the information for their records.  Any serious defect should result in a replacement pup from that, or a future litter.

     10.) Buy a travel crate.  Before you pick up the pup, purchase one of those plastic, portable travel crates.  Not only are they great for transporting your canine friend, they're the best thing since sliced bread for housebreaking puppies.  Kept in the house for sleeping quarters, pup will not soil its nest and when not playing with you or the kids, it’s kept safe, secure and not chewing up something important.

     I know there's more to buying a pup than these ten general rules, but if taken with a little common sense, this recipe should help simplifying a sometimes, complex process.

*****      

     Once you’ve picked out your pup and bought it home, then what?  The first month will include housebreaking, basic obedience training and socialization.   Housebreaking can be made easier if you follow my advice and utilize a portable plastic travel crate.  Buy one big enough for your dog to grow into and you’ll have a training device that will last for years and work in the house and in your vehicle.  A dog box is the first training step towards controlling your dog.

     Basic obedience also begins in the home.  Learning what “no” means happens during housebreaking and adjustments to new surroundings.  The transition from the litter box to a new family can be traumatic.  That’s where proper socialization comes to bear.  Next month we’ll look at pup’s first few months and beginning your gun dog’s basic training.