Kirby Mountain Sporting Dogs
Picking Out Your Puppy
Once the puppies have been checked by
the veterinarian and properly socialized with their littermates for 8 weeks, we
set up appointments for you to pick out your puppy. Many
people, trainers, writers, and your friends have different ideas about picking
out a puppy. One popular idea is that
you need to pick up your dog on day 49 in order to bond properly with the dog. We have found, over the last decade and 100s
of puppy experiences (in our
home and the homes of clients),
that the longer a young puppy can stay with its littermates (within reason) the better the dog is socialized with
other animals and people outside of the owners.
Puppies that are taken from their littermates
before eight weeks often have not learned how to be submissive or
cautious. Puppies require this time with
their littermates to learn the skills of getting along with strangers, both
human and animals. We,
at Kirby Mountain Sporting Dogs, do not make puppies available for viewing or
release from our facility before 8 weeks of age. As long as the pups have sufficient human
contact, they adjust better in weeks 6, 7, and 8 living with littermates and
without the mom. At Kirby Mountain
Sporting Dogs, we care for and train dogs 24 hours a day 7 days a week. We constantly handle our puppies; we clean
pens, feed, water, and play with the dogs throughout the day. With this type of care, our puppies are
predictably social and eager to play with both humans and animals.
Some people think that they need to see
the entire litter of pups in order to pick out a good dog. We have found this is a misconception. In any one litter, the majority of the
puppies are comparable. In each litter
there is usually a highly energetic dog, a more reserved dog, and the rest fall
in between. The term pick of the litter
is simply a matter of opinion. If
the parents of the litter are proven dogs and the puppies are guaranteed, you
could close your eyes and pick out a puppy with the only difference being its
physical appearance. Each dog has its
own personality; however, what you do with your puppy will make much of the
difference for the life of the dog. We
have kept puppies that were the last in the litter who have proven to be
outstanding dogs in both temperament and performance. We have trained many more as well. One such example is Kirby Mountain
Tucker. We have used Tucker as a stud
dog and have kept one of his sons, Kirby Mountain Rustic Prince (Rusty), who
has sired many of our Brittany litters.
Remember that
when you are picking out your puppy, you are seeing the litter of puppies for a
very isolated time period. Some people
are drawn to the first puppy that shows an interest in them, some are attracted
by the physical appearance of a certain pup, and other people try a battery of
“puppy tests” in order to determine the right dog for them. During this isolated time period, the puppies
may be reserved, demonstrative, active, or quiet. What you should remember at this time is to
ask us questions about the puppies for we have been watching and handling the
litter since birth. We do have a more
comprehensive and accurate picture of each puppy’s typical behavior. If
you ask for our opinion or help, we will make recommendations and try to help
you find the puppy that is best suited for you.
All of our puppies and dogs are top
quality or we would not guarantee or sell them.
Some people will use terms such as left
over, runt, or pet quality dogs. If a puppy does not meet the health standards
of our veterinarians, or criteria for an exceptional companion or sporting dog,
we do not make them available in the litter.
We will always be up front with you and make you aware of each puppy’s
strengths and weaknesses.
The term left over implies that there is something wrong with the dog or no
one else wants it; but logically, because of numbers, there will always be a
first pup in the litter to go and a last pup in the litter to go. Whether a puppy is the first in the litter to
go or the last one in a litter to leave our facility, we will make our clients
aware of any strengths or weaknesses of a particular puppy.
The term runt refers to a sickly and undersized puppy. Within two years the littermates (given proper care) are within pounds of each other. Without interference and intervention from
outsiders, a runt (if there
is one) will typically die
in the first few weeks. The mom will
often put a puppy to the side if it is sickly or significantly weak. Between the physical soundness of the parents
and the prenatal care of the dog, we have found that our dogs do not often
produce what people would consider a runt.
Once again, based on logic alone, there is always going to be the
largest pup in a litter and the smallest, yet this too changes as the puppies
grow into adults. The smallest or
largest of a litter does not always remain so for the rest of its life.
The term pet quality is one that is sometimes brought up in
conversations. This is a term used by
professional breeders and competition people and refers to second rate puppies
that are produced. It typically means
that there is something wrong with the dog structurally or behaviorally. The term does not mean a dog will make a
superior pet, quite the contrary. Even
though you may not want a hunting companion, you will want an intelligent and
biddable (obedient, docile) companion. Our dogs come from field and hunting lines
because these lines are extremely intelligent and biddable. All of our sporting dogs make wonderful pets
and companions. Everyone wants a
trustworthy and controllable dog.
Hunters in the field with guns need controllable and trustworthy dogs
the same as a family with children and other pets. Pet
quality and having the qualities of being a good pet is not the same thing.
Remember, Kirby Mountain Sporting Dogs
has researched each breeding in order to provide you with the best quality
puppy in each litter we have!
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Updated 7/12/03 |
goldy© 2003 |