At What Age Do You Choose The Best Puppy

[Sidewinders]

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Not only my dogs are "the uglies" at 6-7 months! :- "

But at 9 months they still don't look mature, only after 1 year and even later! Best age is 3-5 years. So, it's impossible to keep all litter up to 3 years to be completely sure who is the best. :b

By our rules, at the age of 45 days we make tattoos and vet have to check all litter to see if pups are healthy. And if they are, we receive documents and I can sell them. But in fact I don't allow to take puppy until complete vaccination and quarantine.

And at the age of 12 weeks when the vaccination is over, that pup who looked better, sometimes looks worse and how to explain buyers that in fact he is the best? And the pup who will be for sure only a pet, could look much better at a certain period... but will anyway mature to a pet.

One Ukrainian breeder (cocker spaniels) and judge says that he choose the best pup at 1 day and that he could see everything in the one-day old puppy! And then he makes sure about his choice when pup is 1 month. He explains this method in such way that only at 1 day and at 1 month he could see proportions. At another age pups could grow up irregularly and disproportionately. Of course, he said only about his breed and his breeding.

But another breeders say that up to 1 or 2 months all puppies from the litter look equally! I'm not sure about other breeds... but I don't believe that all puppies could look equally and that all of them have the same character. :blink:

 

[petrezselyem]

There are some opinions that the best age is 6-7 weeks, because that is the age when you can see the proportions which will be the adult proportions, too. Of course lines will change, but it's easy to see what way....You have to have experiments. And 6-7 weeks old is enough to see angulations, and so on.

After that age they will be too tall, or short and long, and so on.

The question is, what the best is? Do You want to buy a show star, or a boy/girl for a breeding program? Maybe a new family member, a friend?

We choosed Kapor at her 5-6 weeks. She has a wonderful pedigree, and she was the best in her litter. Inspite of that her front angulation is steep, I know, and I know, and of course knew by that time, that there are better "show quality" pups available...but with a poor pedigree, so they will be very succesful, but I would never base a kennel of their bloodlines.

So the problem is a bit more complicated for me.

And there was a great answer, that everyone is the best for someone who loves them. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[lalena]

thats a very good point. an excellent specimen from poor stock is usually a fluke, and there are no guarenties that it would throw good pups. its definately better to have an average pup from good lines than a stunner from bad lines. if you breed the average dog to another good dog from similar lines, you should get a good, even litter, with the 'worst' at least the same as the average parent, and most will be very good. if you breed the stunner to a good dog with good lines that isnt related, you may be introducing hidden faults to that line. so, as petrezselyam said, it depends on what you want to do.

ultimately, as long as the dog has a wonderful nature, and is a true friend, its passed the most important test of all.

 

[Strike Whippets]

it depends on what you want to do. ultimately, as long as the dog has a wonderful nature, and is a true friend, its passed the most important test of all.

How true .....

 

[Seraphina]

Of-course, I study my puppies from the moment they are born, and some i picked at very early stage, but I do like to see them running around and how they stand themselves. Often there is one that just stands out for me; like my Callista, although one of her sisters was my first choice, when they started to run she just glidded around with her head held high, she looked as if she is movind an inch above the ground.

By the 9 weeks I am usually pretty sure about those I do not want, so there is no problem to let them go to their pet homes. If i have couple I like I run them on for a bit, but generally i am able to make my choice by the 12 weeks.

Callista 18months

 

[Seraphina]

We choosed Kapor at her 5-6 weeks. She has a wonderful pedigree, and she was the best in her litter. Inspite of that her front angulation is steep, I know, and I know, and of course knew by that time, that there are better "show quality" pups available...but with a poor pedigree, so they will be very succesful, but I would never base a kennel of their bloodlines.
So the problem is a bit more complicated for me.

And there was a great answer, that everyone is the best for someone who loves them.  :thumbsup:   :thumbsup:

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At least here; the thing is NOBODY will sell a really outstanding bitch, it is hard to find even one that is good enough to start breeding with. Also remember there is no such a thing as a perfect dog. So your girl has few imperfections, but you are well aware of them and I have no doubt you will bred her inteligently, improving her weaknesses. :luck: :thumbsup:

Many Whippets are rather upright, and i have seen some being very upright during certain stages and then settling into themseves when they matured (about 2years old)

By the way is there a website for the kennel your Kapor comes from?

 

[petrezselyem]

We choosed Kapor at her 5-6 weeks. She has a wonderful pedigree, and she was the best in her litter. Inspite of that her front angulation is steep, I know, and I know, and of course knew by that time, that there are better "show quality" pups available...but with a poor pedigree, so they will be very succesful, but I would never base a kennel of their bloodlines.

So the problem is a bit more complicated for me.

And there was a great answer, that everyone is the best for someone who loves them.  :thumbsup:   :thumbsup:

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At least here; the thing is NOBODY will sell a really outstanding bitch, it is hard to find even one that is good enough to start breeding with. Also remember there is no such a thing as a perfect dog. So your girl has few imperfections, but you are well aware of them and I have no doubt you will bred her inteligently, improving her weaknesses. :luck: :thumbsup:

Many Whippets are rather upright, and i have seen some being very upright during certain stages and then settling into themseves when they matured (about 2years old)

By the way is there a website for the kennel your Kapor comes from?

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Yes, of course there are no perfect dogs at all You have absolutely right! And I think our Kapor is very good, I like her look. :thumbsup:

Here is the site of her breeder but unfortunately the english version doesn't work, so You have to use the polish. You can find pics of the litter at "Szczeniaky", and pedigree of the litter under "Rodowód", choosing MIOT F, not the planned Y litter.

Kapor is Tylko Ty Ford Granada. The reason of my choice was that I admire the work of Kennel Lazarus, and I like Kapor's father and his littermates, and my very favourite bitch is Kapor's grandma, Osaka Lazarus. And of course I have plans with black and white and solid black colours, so Kapor was the best choice for me with her pedigree, and her look.

http://www.tylkoty.cruxnet.pl/

The planned Y litter is very promising, and the bitch, Barnesmore Hocus Pocus is fantastic :wub: , but the male, Wolf Tone Wiking is not for my taste. He is very succesful and beautiful, but I don't like the topline he has. I don't want to hurt anyone, this is my taste. :b

And my hompage is ready now, I have to wait for the domain registration, I hope that in couple of days http://www.petrezselyemprojekt.hu will exist. First the hungarian and english versions, but the german version is under construction too, and will work soon.

I will inform You, when You are interested in, when the page works. :b

 

[*Lesley*]

I think 6-7 mths is the time they are going through "the uglies"  :teehee:
If I could I would keep pups until they were 9 mths old and then decide but that is an impossibility.

Most people buying a puppy want a "puppy" - not much older than 12 weeks, and many people want their pup as soon as it is old enough to go ( by  CCC rules = 8 weeks).  Therefore I am usually "forced" to make my decision  about which are pet quality by the time they are 8 weeks.  I can usually hold on to the show prospects until they are 12 weeks old - but need to have made my decision about which one I want for myself by then because prospective owners of the others don't usually want to wait much longer.

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I agree with Lana from a buyers point of view if I am getting a puppy I want it as soon as it can be mine(not that I'm impatient or anything :- " ) and also so you can bring it into your home from a baby so it settles into your routine and with your other dogs ect,

If a dog is run on to 9 months it is already part of another family and that would be more like rehoming a dog IMO

 

[Nicola]

I can't see a problem with good breeders letting older pups/dogs go because they haven't made the show grade. If it means it allows them to carry on showing, taking the best pup forward, and breeding lovely dogs from time to time, then I'm all for it (providing there is a demand for pet homes).

If it also means that the dog goes to a lovely pet home where it probably gets much more one to one attention (as Dessie says, some probably prefer this anyway to living in a pack) then there are winners all round.

Not all prospective owners want to take on a young pup...there is a definite market for those wanting an older one. In fact, after my recent experience, I will be seeking an older whippet pup in a few years time. In this way I hope to avoid a young, playful pup, who constantly wants to rag my rather nervy, mini schnauzer. :sweating:

 

[gajo]

Whippets seem to be a breed that keep changing as babies and adolescents. Nearly every time I look at a litter I see something new or changed. Heads change, length changes, hocks change etc.. And we won't even start on ears!! (w00t)

We're running 2 on at the moment but will keep one. Pups are nearly 4 months and we may run on to 9 months or so yet. I just figure that if you're breeding a litter to keep one for yourself to show you want to give yourself the best chance of getting the best one that you can-even if it means waiting till 9 months- and even then you can get it wrong.

 

[dessie]

At least here; the thing is NOBODY will sell a really outstanding bitch, it is hard to find even one that is good enough to start breeding with.

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Wrong! I was allowed to have pick of the litter and she turned out to be my beloved Dessie Whippet. I saw her for the first time at 11 days old and was smitten. I had gone to look at the dogs but as she got older I just knew I wanted her and I couldn't believe it when I asked the question and was told I could indeed have her.

DW was the best thing ever to happen to me and I will always be eternally grateful to Sheila (Thistle) for allowing me the privilege of owning her when she didn't know me from Adam and to Alec for introducing us. DW may not have had the title of Champion but she was more than that to me. I owe her everything and she owed me nothing. She lives on in her children and grandchildren (and hopefully some great grandchildren in a couple of months) at home and even her great, great grandchildren with Millie!

 

[Seraphina]

You were either very lucky Dessie:thumbsup: , or maybe it is not quite as difficult over in the UK, or at least it was not so 15 (?) years ago?

I got my first Whippet in 1991 and had no problem getting a stunning little bitch from one of the top breeders (I did also had an reference from our mutual friend-judge), but that is not so now. Breeder will rarely sell a bitch on full register, except if she is kept in partnership. And I have certainly found it the same with most well known breeders on the continent.

 

[Seraphina]

The reason of my choice was that I admire the work of Kennel Lazarus, and I like Kapor's father and his littermates, and my very favourite bitch is Kapor's grandma, Osaka Lazarus.
And my hompage is ready now, I have to wait for the domain registration, I hope that in couple of days http://www.petrezselyemprojekt.hu will exist. First the hungarian and english versions, but the german version is under construction too, and will work soon.

I will inform You, when You are interested in, when the page works. :b

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I also like the Lazarus dogs, actually there are several good kennels in Poland, as well as further east = Lithuania. Several nice black and blue there also; if that what you are interested in.

 

[petrezselyem]

I also like the Lazarus dogs, actually there are several good kennels in Poland, as well as further east = Lithuania. Several nice black and blue there also; if that what you are interested in.

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Yes, absolutely agree. Polish kennels are very good at all, for example they produce very high quality borzois, and so on. Yes, I agree, there are rather good kennels in Lithuania. Baksmell is my favourite one, with a very informative and elegant site, and of course nice dogs!

Yes, I'm very interested in black and black and white, but I don't like blue, and blue brindle. They look great, but not for my taste. I like dark pigmentation, dark eyes, and so on.

 

[Kenzongos]

Sidewinders; at first pic Hupi is ab. 5 weeks, I am not sure, because I didn´t put the age up. Anyway it was the first standing pic I saw ab. him and instantly want to buy him!

 

[dessie]

You were either very lucky Dessie:

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Yes, I certainly was VERY lucky for two reasons really. Firstly, Dessie came from very excellent 'old' lines and secondly it was Sheila's one and only Whippet litter so, although she kept a dog and a bitch, Thistle (the dam) for some reason did not particularly like Dessie so Sheila felt it would be unwise to keep her anyway!!

Lucky, lucky me!!! For once in my life in the right place at the right time!!!

 

[JAX]

Dessie was a lovely girl , Caroline , Right place , right time as you said

I watch my pups in the nest and then like hawks as soon as they get up on their feet . I think quality comes through early on and you can tell the `pet `ones fairly early on , I love those that say that `all in litter show quality ` They wish :- " .

I remember Libbees litter , she stood out as being the best , but at about 6- 7 months I was looking for a pet home for her one lady who was interested, I asked her to wait a few days till id made up my mind ( she`d got into my heart by then :b Libbee, not the lady :lol: ) , By the time Id rung to say she could have her shed already got one from somewhere else :- " and look how Libbee turned out , her next show she won best puppy in show ,and away she went , Fingers crossed she continues to win , but shes here to stay whatever :wub:

In a perfect world we could run them all on and keep them all , but that would be selfish wouldnt it ,How could I stop people having one of my nutters I mean whippets :lol: :lol:

 

[nina]

This is only a personal opinion & i'm sure others may do things differently but i know my lines & whats behind them & know what i am hoping to produce.

I pick mine as they are born & wet when you can see construction, length, head shapes, then don't look at them again show-wise till they are up on their feet & moving about at say 4 weeks.

With a whippet pup the same as IG's what you see is what you get, a hideous front will not suddenly come right, a short loin will always be a short loin, over angulation is there to stay & no bend of stifle will not suddenly appear.

If you like what you see around 4-5 weeks, they move true, no obvious faults then stick with it. Yes they will go thru many hideous stages along the way & maturity can change & better many things, but i honestly beleive an outright fault at 4-5 weeks will not dissappear with maturity. It may lessen slightly & you may find ways in which to hide it but it will always be there.

An "eye" for a dog can not be taught, its either there or its not, i have known many people study breed standards till they know it off by heart but still can not pick a pup, where as total novices have looked at a litter picked out a pup, cant necessarily say why other than it looks right to them & they have been spot on.

We all have a different idea of what we like & what is our ideal & as they say one mans meat is another mans poison & if we all thought the same or liked the same thing it would be an extremely boring world.

So i think you have to pick the pup that most suits YOUR ideal of the standard & stick with it thru all the hideous stages yet to come.

Nina