Hello there,

I am looking for advice on selecting the highest quality bitch pup from a litter of vizslas.

At what age would you recommened making the choice?
Would you be put off by white markings?
Is a darker coat more/less preferable?
Are hair whorls on the face/body undesirable?
How well can you judge movement at 5 weeks old?
Is it advisable to pick a more chunky/slighter bitch or does it depend on personal preference?
How do you select for well set ears and a good muzzle?

Thanks!

As regards colours and markings check the breed standard, and also what colour changes are normal in puppies.

for example my breed start almost black change to oatmeal by 8 weeks and then start getting proper guard hair and coat pattern after that.  small white markings on feet and chest blend into the base colour of grey, don't know how well this happens with the breed your interested in.

Traditionally in my breed breeders liked to choose puppies at 6 weeks though in the USA they seem to like 8 weeks plus by which time here i wouldn't want to choose that late as the pups all seem to go off in different directions development wise.

As for the substance and size in a litter, actual size of pups under 12 weeks is more to do with how many in a litter and how they fed, not too much of an indicator of adults size.  For that you need to look at the parents, grandparents and choose based on them.

If light Bone was an issue in any parent then I'd choose chunkier pups, and the reverse if any parent was a bit overdone in bone, I'd choose a middling substance.

If the breeder is experienced and has bred and shown good stock, and especially if they have sold pups that go on to do well, then you are best guided by the breeders evaluation, backed up by a knowledgeable friend in the breed that knows the lines.

At 5 weeks in my own mediums size breed (20kg adult bitch) then by 5 weeks I probably know which I would nto choose,a dn have it narrowed down to which I was likely to want to keep for show.

In my current litter it has been between two pups all along for me, and as the other is also to be shown I have made the choice at 5 weeks, but would not normally have done so until 6 - 7 weeks.  I find 6 weeks with smaller litters and big/forward pups and up to 7 weeks with larger litters or less forward pups.

In the end though it is at best an educated Guess.

Some people really do have a knack of choosing puppies, and can look at any litter an pick the best one.

If you have chosen a litter already, does the breeder know you want the "pick" bitch? if he/she does I'm sure they will, if they are experienced, be able to talk things through with you. Its a good idea also to get your "eye" in and see several litters  all at the same age. before you select your own show puppy.Looking at liters and then following them as they grow will give you a good idea what an ear set, eye shade, muzzle etc would look like at say 6 weeks amongst the lines that you are looking at.

Is this a breed you already know quite well?  I couldn't have done it without breeders guidance and tuition but it is helpful to have seen photographs of the litter at each stage and be able to compare them to others at a similar age. 

My breeder has a lot of photographs on her site and we owners (in waiting) get a lot of candid and stacked pictures to look at.  I found it very informative to be able to look at adults I like and see how they looked as puppies too.  Nothing can compare to an experienced person showing you how to view the pups and what to look for, but photographs may help you to make a more objective assessment, and at least pictures don't wriggle or fall asleep in the middle of a viewing session :)

Good luck with your decision.  Each pup teaches you something for next time :)

I would say that white markings on the chest are undesirable but a small amount is considered acceptable, this may not even be visible at 5 weeks?

Hair whorls are also undesirable.

Would you be put off by white markings?, depends on how much, tiny bit on chest, you can get away with.,
Is a darker coat more/less preferable? No,,Are hair whorls on the face/body undesirable? yes.

But you have to take the whole dog into consideration,  as one small "undesirable factor" may get lost in the good points of the dog.
If you are after a show prospect then take  advice of the breeder,

I would be guided by the breeder somewhat but again it depends on how much faith your place in the breeder. I know many who will take an experienced person either in that breed or in dogs in general. Someone who judges the breed is a great person to go with you.
If you dont have a person such as this with you, then read your breed standard and see what is acceptable and what is not. the hair whorls are generally considered a fault but it depends where they are. It will seriously affect the expression if it is on the face and will be very noticeable. If it is on the shoulder or side then less so.
I wouldnt choose a puppy until they are over 6 weeks old. In my breed i prefer to choose nearer 8 weeks as it is a slower that some breeds. I would be wanting to go see them at 6 or 7 weeks and then go back to confirm the one i want at 8 weeks. This means you would need to be the first person outside of the breeder to collect your puppy of the sex you are interested.
When looking at the dogs move it is easier to watch them move in play. You can see if there are any odd limps, hops etc. A puppy should move freely and smoothly (when not dive bombing its siblings)
When looking at ear set on a breed with ears that are down, i would look for a puppy with the top of the ears level or lower than its eyeline.

You are allowed 10% of white on the chest. Whorls would be undesireable. In relation to choosing a puppy you may make a selection at 8 weeks but if at all possible I like to run on to at least 10 or 11 weeks before making my final decision. Photographs of puppy stacked when old enough helps also.