Good Pickin's

[Officially Retired]

Besides all the obvious such as health, movement, mentality aso. I keep the ones i think resembles the blood I have. For example. If I want dogs like the sire I pick the ones I think resembles the sire most when he was a pup. Or if it's a repeat breeding I'll keep the ones that resembles the best ones from the last litter the most. I also try to keep as many as possible from a litter as long as possible. If I would buy a pup from a breeder his word weighs the most. As I wouldn't buy a dog from a breeder that haven't a good knowledge of his dogs. If I for example would buy a pup from Jack, his word and his knowledge would weigh in the most, as nobody knows his dogs better than he does.

Thank you for the kind words, and in general I totally agree with what you're saying: the breeder (if he is successful) knows his own dogs better than anyone. I have always listened to the breeders who came before me to find out which breeding combinations tend to do what that they (as breeders) had a hand in creating. The breeder will always have the greatest overall perspective. By contrast, most people who have dogs from a breeder only know their own dogs; they do not have a full perspective on the breeder's line in general, nor in the propensities of what to expect from each of the breeder's genetic combinations that they (as buyers) have not seen.

However, I would also like to make a comment on something you said for your consideration: like you, I always tended to pick Poncho dogs that looked like Poncho (or Missy), especially if they behaved that way (movement, look in the eyes, etc.). One thing to keep in mind, though, is sometimes a breeding combination might produce a better dog than what you had before ... who also looks different

An example would be Silverback. His daddy Ouch was a really good, solid, game oldschool bulldog. Missy was an absolutely fantastic bitch, even better than Ouch in some respects (mouth), but neither Missy nor Ouch was a true finisher. Silverback came from both of these dogs, was more athletic than either one, was colored differently, and (most importantly) while he did not have the devastating mouth of his mother, he came with true finish that neither of his parents had.

Silverback also carried with him his own "persona." Personality-wise, he is neither like Ouch nor like Missy. Ouch and Missy were both happy-go-lucky doggies. Silverback has an "edge" to him. He is a friendly dog, but you can just tell there is an element of danger with him that is very real.

Therefore, while it is good to select your pups based on their conformity to your standard, it is also worthy to keep in mind that life may throw you a curveball (and a good one!) and present you with something "different" from what you're used to, that may well be a cut above

Jack

[skipper]

Therefore, while it is good to select your pups based on their conformity to your standard, it is also worthy to keep in mind that life may throw you a curveball (and a good one!) and present you with something "different" from what you're used to, that may well be a cut above

Jack

Well put. This is why I like to keep as many as possible for as long as possible. Sometimes there are pups that looks and acts nothing like what you expected from the litter. I have had pups that where shy and you barley noticed amongst the others. That I thought to myself, this pups will only be suitable for a pet home. To Later bloom out and be one of the best in the litter. Some dogs you just know from the day they are born, that this is one is a keeper. If you have patience, others can give you a pleasant surprise. There are no absolutes in these dogs, and that is what makes it so inspiring. However in general I use the things mentioned in my earlier post.