Now I know how you can choose a potential show puppy from a litter after looking at parents and line, but I was wondering if the dog is destined for somthing else such as agility, obedience, working etc is anything in particular looked for?

Maybe personallity within the puppy pack ! Just a thought.

Margaret

In my breed -if they take an interest in retrieving! (A LOT of them don't.) I've just made my choice from 3 possible pups and only really considered the two that took an interest in toys, carrying etc.

Marianne

Well I can tell you about Mals and how to tell a potential good worker (lead/team dog). At a seminar last year we had a speaker over from the US and this was one of the topics they addressed. They did a demonstration with a litter of ACD pups :) (none of which were found to be suitable sleddogs :p )

They put a collar and lead on a pup that had not previously had one on, then picked up the lead and started walking. They looked at the individual responses of the pups as part of the factor in determining whether or not they would be suitable for working. A dog which walked confidently beside or in front would be a lead dog prospect. One which followed, after maybe a little bit of encouragement, could be a team dog and the pups that refused to move or were unhappy would not be suitable workers. They also performed other demonstrations, notably the pups reactions to distractions. The pup who showed no fear would be a promising lead dog, one who showed a little aprehension but easily got over it could be a team dog and one who reacted negatively again would not we a suitable worker. I think this is a variation of the Puppy aptitude test where the observances you make of the pups in different situations lets you know their future temperament/mentality.

HTH :)

Thanks to you all.  It was just something I was wondering about.  (goes to show how little I know about other diaplins!) :D

Intresting about finding a sled dog.

So anyone anything else for the other displins???

My brain is seeking new knowledge!

in obedience i guess it depends what you want out of a obedience dog,this is what i would look for in a litter of WSs.

build wise its preferable to have them slightly short in the back so your turns are neater & a decent length of neck so they can maintain a high working head postion (if thats what you like)

personality wise it would depend on what type of handler you are,not everybody can cope with a really strong dog.or a really hypy one.
what i liked about flynn was ,he loved to play & would keep going & going,but when i picked him up he would settle down with me.
thry should be responsive & enjpoy lots of human interaction & like being touched