Straight From the Center of the Ring: Finding a Show Puppy

Choosing a “Keeper” Puppy

Evaluating our litters and making the right choice of a “keeper” puppy can make or break a breeding program. Breeders looking for their next show prospect have to be able to evaluate structure, temperament and, if applicable, any performance potential in the litter they are raising. 

Each litter, ideally, is bred with a specific goal in mind. The pedigree research, health testing and knowledge of the breed produces a “match made in heaven”... at least in our dreams! Always put that goal at the very front of your selection process.

In other words, if your goal was to improve on heads, don’t select the bucket headed puppy because it has the best markings. That isn’t moving forward in the direction you want to go.

No breeder in their right mind is going to guarantee that an 8-week-old puppy is going to turn into a best in show dog. Most of them aren’t even going to guarantee it'll be a show champion. We can make an educated guess, but even that isn't foolproof.

Making an Educated Guess

So let’s talk about educated guesses. 

Most breeds typically are evaluated at eight weeks. Some a bit older and some a bit younger, for folks with extensive experience in a particular line or family of dogs. But the common wisdom says puppies at eight weeks are as close to seeing a miniature adult as we can get.

At this point in my litters, I have observed the puppies up-close for two months, with constant interaction, hands on, developmental games, enrichment activities, you name it. I have a pretty good idea which puppy is bold, which one is more laid back and so on. I also have watched them playing in open grass (hopefully the weather will have cooperated at least some of the time!).  

I always pay close attention to the puppy that trots rather than gallops and galumphs everywhere. That coordination at a young age tells me the structure is correct before I ever put hands on the pups in a stack. (“Stacking” a dog is what we call having the dog stand for evaluation.)

I’ve verified all puppies have proper bites and the boys have both testicles descended. I’ve ruled out any disqualifications per the breed standard. The bird dogs have encountered game birds and/or scent.

Now I just need to take a look at how they stand up. I start my puppies being “stacked” on the grooming table as early as four weeks. I’m not worried about whether their feet are perfectly aligned, but simply getting the puppies accustomed to being handled on the table, being still, relaxing and developing confidence.

My strong suggestion is to have someone (hopefully someone with a TON of patience) take cell phone photos of the puppies stacked at eight weeks. Photos taken straight on instead of from above or below are best.

The photos help me see what my hands may have missed feeling while the pups were being stacked or what I haven’t seen during the perpetual motion of puppyhood.

Aligning your Educated Guess with your Program’s Goals 

Then I add up all the information. My choice is always the boldest puppy that has the best front angulation, most correct coat and most interest in the birds. Those are my personal breeding program goals. Make your goals. Breed for them. Select for them. Then go SHOW them off to the world.

Check back next month...

If you're headed for the show ring eventually, watch for next month’s column on growing up your show dog.