How to pick a PUp?

[swamper]

WELL SAID

[sammiller03]

well go ahead and laugh about this one.. I live in md and a guy at work told me that he had a litter of english pups and two old guys drove up from south carolina to look at them. the picked up every pup opened its mouth then turened it around and lifted its tail. well after going through all 9 pups they said no thanks to any of them and went to leave for home.. the guy with the pups confused what was going on asked what they were looking for.. they explained they needed a black mouth for scent and a big round butt hole for treeing.. well after they left he went down and checked his best dog and it was true. then checked one that wouldent tree and it had a little butt hole. well he is vice president of the local club and seen many dogs and its been true... take it for what its worth i know what im trying on my next pup..

[Alabama John]

Well since its started, I'll continue to express some traits that were handed down by hound men for many generations.

In days of old, at the various dog contest folks walked around inspecting the best dogs accomplishing the purpose desired. The owners would hold the dogs still for you to get a good look.

In all types of tree dogs and all types of running dogs there were several differences other than conformation seriously considered.

Some were:

In Tree dogs, the roof of mouth was always shown you as a black roof was required for a tree dog. Conversely, lack of black roof of mouth was a plus for a running dog.
Dew claws were a plus on a tree dog, and lack of them a plus on a running dog.

Read SamMiller above for butthole differences.

Ever wonder why a hunting dog is shown with its tail held up and pulled slightly forward? Just to be pretty? Why not hold the tail up on all breeds? Why not a herding dog like a German Shepherd? Sure not a natural stance for a hound. Why not on a hound hold the tail straight out, or even down to show it meets the required length of touching the back leg joint?

No, its held up and forward so the old time hunting hound man when walking around studying the hound for a possible breeding could see, guess what?

Interesting how function became form and is done as a standard practice without folks understanding why!

[jonnyringo]

I usually lay the pup on his or her back and turn in half circles to see if he fights to get loose. Then I hold him or her up and stare him or her in the eye. I look to see if they will stare me in the eye. Last, the dog must appeal to me in conformation and markings.

[Windkist]

Ever wonder why a hunting dog is shown with its tail held up and pulled slightly forward? Just to be pretty? Why not hold the tail up on all breeds? Why not a herding dog like a German Shepherd? Sure not a natural stance for a hound. Why not on a hound hold the tail straight out, or even down to show it meets the required length of touching the back leg joint?

The reason the tail is held up is thats how the dog looks when its moving. In most breeds the tail is held just like it looks on the move.

Leah

[beagler282]

I asked a gentleman one time how he picked what he thought was the best dog in a litter of pups.He told me a story his father told him that usually the one that's the ugliest was the best one.After listening to what he had to say I always think of that when i have a litter of pups.I will know if it's true or not in the next 2 months.If this was his method or not his past accomplishments are what i look at.

[Honey Pot Hounds]

My tip is, everything else being equal, pick the one that struts around most and is always taking the toys away from the others.... and looks great doing it.

[waterboy1831]

was told find the litter you want a dog from and look at the whole litter find the dog with the biggest a$$ hole