I’ll be picking a pup this morning out of 3 females, what a crap shoot. One is marked like the one we had to put down a couple months ago, the other two are larger pups. All are bold. I might as well close my eyes and point to one.
I’m sure they are all going to be great bird dogs, Im Always apprehensive about making this decision.

Hold them like a baby with their belly up. Pick the one that seems most relaxed.

It’s a complete crap shoot, as long as there are no red flags in one in particular it makes absolutely no difference.

This is a good test.

Depending on age you can also look at the coverage of hair in the armpit areas and get an indication of quality of coat.

Some of old timers would also make loud noises and try to gauge temperament, but doubt breeders will appreciate that and I'm not sure how much you can gather from that.

Let them pick you.

You probably already have your pup, but I too am a firm believer in letting the breeder know in detail what I am looking for in a dog and letting the breeder choose or even pass me up if they are not seeing what I am looking for. The breeder will know those pup's personalities, strengths, weaknesses, better than anyone else.

While true even the breeder will not be able to tell what the pups will be like as adult dogs. I’ve seen the smallest pups become the biggest and vice versa. Timid pups become bold and vise versa. There are stories after stories of last pick pups becoming the best out of the litter.

There are many famous dogs who went on to become national field champions that were passed up as pups.

I wouldn’t pick a pup who was overly scared or aggressive but as long as there isn’t something major it’s a complete crap shoot.

I’ve done different things. Choosing the pup that ignored it’s litter mates and followed it’s nose by itself and explored ended up being the best of the ones I’ve picked. The best two I’ve had were pups the breeder hand picked for me based on what kind of dog I like. In my opinion picking the right litter to get a pup from ups the odds of getting what you want more than which pup you choose from the litter.

Made it home in 10 hours, one extra hour for numerous pit stops. Only one accident in the crate. I think we’ll call her Blue, she’s got some nice blue eyes. Test run in the kennel today, meeting the rest of the pack. Vet trip in the morning.

Is this a phantom kennel pup? Looks like she’s got a ot of Miller in her.

Beautiful pup a long story short if it is white it is a birddog

Pretty Pup! I like the wrinkles in her forehead. She's thinking.

You could call her Patty for St. Patrick's day. I can yell Patty louder than Blue. LOL

How did you pick her out of the three?

Well Bobby, I wanted a bigger female so the smallest was out. Out of the remaining 2 I went with the one that wasn’t the bolder of the 2. She seemed less hardheaded.
She’s already turned out to be quite vocal, especially right before nap time.

Now the fun begins!

I just saw this. I couldn’t believe you had doubts about picking a dog after seeing pictures and breedings of your other dogs. Looks like again you may have picked a winner.😇🙀

I had a Honky Tonk line dog, just totally smart. My new setter is Erin’s ( I know different breed), but that pup might be real smart.

Phil

Had to change her name, blue eyes turned green! New name name is Gypsy.

Great looking pup!

Its just the luck of the draw, One of the best birddogs I ever had took me and my wife boath to catch her in a puppy pen. She turned out to be a natural bird finding machine. She was the kind of a dog that was goning to be a birddog in spite of whatever you did. Tryed to teach her to back but everytime I put her down with a seasoned bird dog she always beat them to the bird. The only way I could get her to back was keep her on lead and wait untill the other dog pointed and then walk her up behing it. If you want to spend the time you can teach a dog almost anything except the want to hunt. Best you can do is as they say in horse racing bread the best to the best and hope for the best.

Yep it’s a crap shoot.

That sir is why I said earlier, I think picking the litter is more important than which pup.

I agree

Nice

BEAUTIFUL LOOKING PUP AND VERY NICE BREEDING

Finally got her to set still long enough for a pic.

NICE RUSTBUCKET

Congrats,,

I like to throw a little stick or toy, see which one chases it, or gets to it first...

She has more than doubled her weight, 9lbs at 8 weeks, 20lbs at 15 weeks.

Awesome, what a great looking pup!

Looks we got ourselves a natural backer! She’s honoring one of the older pointers pointing a squirrel in a tree.

Good looking pup ‘68. Gotta love the natural backers.

What a sweetheart!

She’s been a handful, but seems to be starting to pay attention. Don’t let her out without a 10’ check cord on her.

Man, what a beautiful pup.

Saw her first point on a cardinal this morning, front right foot up and 12 o clock tail. Then she was really focused on a deer just outside the fence. Brought a smile to my face. She goes to boarding school August 1.

6 months old today. Headed to trainer at the end of the month.

Looks realy good. Still going to take her to the Panhandle?

Yes

Nice pup cya in Montana in September

Great pic from the trainer. Already working off the check cord.

Nice! Very curious to see this type of cross pan out. Big bold all-age Rebel and a NSTRA foot hunter type breeding. Let us know how Gypsy turns out for you.

Rust, how’d y’all do in Montana?

I
Just got back this afternoon. It was really slow compared to previous seasons. Got some good dog work on pheasants, and a few coveys of Huns with the older dogs. Got the pup on the ground everyday, worked on handling. She had a couple contacts with Huns and pheasant hens.

Fantastic. I’m sure all your dogs did well.

Fantastic. I’m sure all your dogs did well.

Oh, and I saw your post with pictures, I’m jealous.