Preferred Age of Pup

[NC Beagler]

When buying a pup do you prefer to buy a 7 - 8 week old pup, a 6 mo. old pup ready to start or a 6 - 9 mo. old pup that has been started? Second part of the question.....if the 7 - 8 week old pups was $150 would you be willing to pay $250 for the same pup that had been started?

I was just thinking that I might keep a whole litter till they started, but wanted to make sure there would be a demand for them and didn't want to loose too much money.

Thanks in advance.
Pete

[Big Dog]

I like to get pups when they are between 8 and 12 weeks old. In the 12 to 16 week period pups can be taught a lot about handling and I hate to miss out on that time in their lives when they are like a sponge.

Big Dog

[woodbrier kennels]

I would have to agree with big dog i want them as soon as possible so they can get use to you and learn how to handle at a young age(of course when they start running you might have to touch up the handleing) and become comfertably in the kennel where hopfully they stay in one kennel.

[TickedDog]

I agree. I like to be able to train a pup from weaning myself. Everyone likes something a little different and has different training methods. I think that its better to train them by yousrelf all the way up if possible. I have never bought a 6 to 9 mo. pup but i would think it might kind of slow him up a little changing owners (and probably training methods) right in the middle of a big learning stage for him.

[MDH68]

I like them about 8 weeks. The sooner you socialize the better. I also want to be the one who trains them. Not because I think if I bought a older dog, the breeder couldnt train them, but because I want to witness it.Kinda like having a child. I want to be there when they accomplish there skills. Thats why I wont take a dog to a starting pen. I want to be there when they take there first track or open for the first time. Those things are some of the most rewarding things about beagling to me.

Mike

[windy hollow]

I am glad someone else fielded this question because, I would like to train some myself, and still want $200.00 per pup to cover my expense.
I run field trials and hunt with them and would like a chance to raise a field champion, and still cover any losses.
I know they will all hunt but, are they field champion material? and I, like all you trialers dont want to let a field champ slip through my hands either.

[DarrinG]

I'd also rather buy a 8 week old pup and train it up in the manner I myself prefer. Lots of folks have different ways of raising and training pups, some bad and some good (in my opinion). I like to know how a pup is progressing, how it is being handled and trained, etc. I like for my dogs to do things "my way", not the way someone else likes it!

[Don L]

I would rather pay $ 100 more for a 6 month or started pup. The advantages that I like is , your past the Vaccinations,your past the most dangererous time of Parvo etc... Your past the majority of growing stages of, will this pup end up with bad comformation. I can tell what the voice will sound like on a started pup.and I am able to view if the pup is a natural search dog. There personality are more developed, as long as the breeder gave the pup some attention, which I would not buy from someone who did not give there dogs fair attention. as far as handling, all my pups handle great until they start learning to hunt. then I have to teach them to hunt with me,anyhow,so a 6month or started pup is an advanteg for me, in more ways then not.

[mybeagles]

7-8 weeks is best for me. I spend more time with a pup from 2-6 months old than I do from 6-12 months. I have 3 ten week old pups now that have been to the woods over a dozen times. At 6 months I expect a pup to be started, and confident in the woods. A ready desire to load in the truck. A willingness to explore out of sight and a sence to locate me when done. The pup should also come when called but not walk under your feet.

If I could find a breeder to spend this much time and teach them these traits by 6 month old $250 would be a value. However, guys that spend this much time can usually see which pups are superior in a lot of ways and keep those pups for themselves and sell the weaker ones. If they do sell a superior pup, they usually want $400 or more for it. Which, if money is not an issue can still be a value.

I would suggest if you plan on raising them for 6 months and spending a great deal of time with them that you find buyers before you venture into this. Most likely they will have to be hunters, not trialers, because trialers will not want the ones that are picked over. Most hunters would be happy to have a smart acting, well mannered dog thats started and ready to go come fall. A spring litter would probly work best for this plan, and allow you summer months to work with the pups. The other option, is keeping fall pups a whole year and having a broke dog ready to sell to a hunter the following fall. Dont expect to get much over $350 for the dogs, $400 seems to be the most a hunter will care to spend. Again, if you have a good reputation, you may be able to have a prior arrangement set up with a hunter. Good luck!

[Hunter]

I like getting them when they are young. I also think they need to bond with me and mine to handle as good as possible. Good luck with what ever you decide, Paul

[B.Trull]

I perfer a 8 week old or so pup. Handling and bonding issues can be avoided. Never had any luck with 6-18 month old hounds. prefer either pups or buying a broke hound.

Brad
Lonepine Kennels