And yes I do fully agree with everyone in getting a dog from a reputable breeder but the main thing I was just trying to say is that just because you buy an expensive dog with champion parents doesn't mean that your pup is going to be the same, you have to dedicate yourself to that dog in the early stages and it'll turn out just fine

Increase odds of success w champion bloodline or great hunting ability - that's a fact. My little Daisy was in training for 4.5 months- trainer only had three during the entire time. There was a dog there that would run off during training- finally had to sent her home. He said she was possessed.

This guy is one of the top English Cocker trainers in country. Runs field trials all the time. My point is there are dogs w crappy bloodlines that God couldn't even train- bad product

Yes I agree for the umteenth time, I wouldn't buy a dog without a good background, but If your gonna pay for some else to train "your" dog then it really doesn't matter right, why not just go buy a two year old lab that's ready to do whatever you tell it to, kinda defeats the whole puppy thing IMO if your just gonna send them off

Not everyone has the time or access to grounds to train a dog. Sending your dog off for 4.5 months is a lot different than buying a two year old finished dog. It'll cost you 3-5k or more for a finished 2 year old dog.

I like to train my own dogs but wouldn't fault anyone for sending their dog off for some training, especially for things like force fetch which are hard to do completely and correctly.

Well that's fine and I don't knock anyone for it either but you definately miss that initial bond of why were sitting here in the woods together you know. I kill the birds you find em and bring em back, I wouldn't ever send a dog off to learn that from someone else, if I didn't have time for a dog I just wouldn't get one but that's me, anyone can tell a trained dog commands but that initial bond is what I'm talking about

That is fine and dandy but most really nice retrievers don't care who is sending them after the mark or bird. They are born and live to retrieve.

To the OP there is some good and not so good advice in this thread. Having a good dog takes time, commitment, and money. There are a number of different combinations that can get you to your end goal. I say "goal" because you really need to have an idea of where you and your pup want to end up. The sky is the limit. None of this happens without genetics. You can get a great dog out of a not so great litter and a dud out of any of them. Well bred litters drastically increase your odds.

There are really well bred, affordable litters all over Texas and US. Shipping a pup through air or on ground isn't a huge deal. Don't let distance play a huge role in the litter you pick. I have had great luck telling the breeder exactly what I want out of a dog. A reputable breeder has a vested interest in making sure your happy with the dog. Plus they have typically spent hours upon hours with the litter but most people think they can tell more in fifteen minutes of interaction.

If your not stuck on a puppy there can be significant value in a started dog. By that time you usually have a good idea on what the dog is and what it can be. Personality, drive, gun shy, ect...