I have found a breeder who i intend to buy a labrador retriever from and am going to see the puppies this week they are currently 3 weeks old, i want to train him as a gundog but he will also be a family pet.
My question is there a type of puppy i should be looking for that will make the best gundog e.g the more playfull one's etc etc

Thank you for your help

We've always had working strain labs, so i guess that would be your first check to make sure that they are of working stock not show stock, ask to see the pedigree and find out what wins the sire and dam have achieved.
Also need to make sure the health tests have been done on both parents as well and ask to see the results first hand if possible.

You do need a balanced pup and one tip i was advised is that you need one which doesn't shy away from the hand nor comes charging at you and is full on, you need one which is more middle of the road.

I'm sure someone will be able to pass on some links and further information as well.
We don't work our Labs, though they always come from good stock as they are farm dogs and also pets so have to be balanced around all the animals and inside the house.

3 weeks is very early to view a litter and impossible to know which one will make a good gundog as they will only just be up and about on their feet. I tend to look at pups from about 7 weeks, I don't go for the very shy pup that sits at the back nor do I go for the one that bullies its way to the front. I like to look at each pup on its own and see how it reacts without its littermates its amazing how the bullies of the litter seem less confident without its littermates to bully and how the quiet one comes out of its self when not being overpowered!!! I like to use something small for them to retrieve (a small rolled up sock works well) I like the pup to look at me and follow me and not get bored with me after a few seconds (but obviously you can't expect it to remain focased for too long) I will then throw the sock and let the puppy chase it and pick it up, at this age I wouldn't expect it to bring it strait back although some do, but I would not choose a pup that just walked away from it. I would suggest that if this is the first dog you have trained for gunwork that you try and find a local gundog club and buy some good books and dvd's on training, most books and dvds will give advice on choosing a pup.

Also make sure that both parents have low hip/elbow score and recent clear eye certs, there is nothing more heartbreaking than a vet tell you your pup has hip or elbow dysplasia but to have put so many months of hard work into a dog its even worse and sadly I know this from experience.

I wish you luck in choosing your pup and I'm sure some more champdoggers will have plenty more advice for you.

good advice from Suejaw and Labs.. and while no harm done visiting pups next weekend when they will be 4 weeks, it will be a little early to tell which characteristics will shine through on individual pups...

While you are looking for particular traits, it would be ideal, if you dont live too far from breeder, to visit pups a couple of times...

Whilst you are looking for a pup which is not full on, nor retiring,, you may find that a pup who is laid back, and ignores you on one visit, may be the pup who has spent some energy before you arrived, and is simply tired... next visit, this might be the pup that shows promise..

If your breeder works his own dogs, be guided by him

all very good advise i have breed ESS that work and are pets too ...7weeks is a wonderful time to chose 1 but you have the worry of that pup being all ready picked :( ....from 4weeks old i could (most of the time) tell how each pup was going to be like ,i breed all my pups in the home and would play alot with them and just sit and watch them play for hours :) i would know witch could make good workers and others that where very laid back .
xx

1st ensure they are from working lines and not pet lines or show lines....the latter two will work but if you really want a gundog as a priority then go for working lines. At 6-8 weeks roll a small ball along and see who makes the effort to follow it and pick it up!!

As has been said, ensure that they are from working / dual purpose lines and I would also want to know that at least one of the parents (preferably both) were regularly worked too.  If you want a dog for picking up, also ensure that they haven't only been used for beating.

Worth doing a Volhard Puppy assessment on them at 7 weeks.    We always get a behaviourist to do it for ours, and it pinpoints the pups most likely to work

Jo