Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 5:53 am Post subject: At what age can you recognise show quality?
For example, when you select an eight week pup - how can you recognise one that will do well in the ring against one that won´t? How much does the pup mirror it`s adult self?
I don't know anything about show quality, but I do remember Di saying that what you have at 8 weeks old is pretty much what you'll have as an adult, even if they go through a variety of odd looking stages inbetween.
I think if you are the breeder, and you know your line they you will have a fair idea. But mistakes can happen. Particulaly if the stud you are using is an outcross it would not be so easy because the development might not be what you are used to. Many is the breeder who has at some time said, "I wish I'd let this one go and kept that one!"
Most breeders dont look at the pups until around 6 weeks.... they change so much in the 1st few weeks, but also looking can cloud your vision... to keep the best prospect in the litter you need to be quite hard.. and not allow heart to rule head.. there is always the cute one with oodles of character, the sweet one, who just wants mum and cuddles.. the bolshy one who is so full of zest etc.. all very different little characters, that you could get quite attatched to ALL of them
At six weeks, you are able to stand a puppy and take a proper look at what you have in conformation, bone density etc... and you whittle it down to the best 2 or 3... these could be the 3 you 'run on'... as they mature a little, you then look at them again... and make final decision...
generally at 6 weeks you have what you will get at 6 months... but sometimes the head may not come on... or bone growth is not what you thought it might be...
And yes. John is correct.. sometimes we do keep the wrong ones....
I ran 5 on from my last litter... 2 I homed at 13 weeks, the other 3 I ran on until 19weeks.. and kept Teagan. around 5 weeks ago, after one of the owners decided she would like to have a go at showing (girl was pet homed).... I entered her into a show local to her, and travelled 3 hours to meet her there... and when I saw her.. she was just WOW.... hear head was beautiful, and everything about her was good... apart from being way too fat .... but once weight is lost, she will be what we term, the pick of the litter.. Tegan is lovely, but does not have the head... I kept the wrong one, and let the best go... such is life
Tottie's breeder let me have her as a show puppy, and she was chosen for me by herself and several other friends who show.
The breeder did not particularly like her head at 6 months and pretty much advised me that it would not change and she probably would never do anything as a show dog. At most shows from this age she was not placed.
I took her to see the breeder about a month ago after sending several photos and she was pleasantly surprised that her head had improved and generally she looked very nice. Since she turned 12 months Tots has had a few good placings against some good dogs at open level, and I am very pleased with the way she has 'turned out', and intend to campaign her at open level this year and also try a few champ shows
Edited to say:- Love your signature quote - how true is that?????!!!!!
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