Gun Dog Forum

Does anybody have any opinions on what time of year is the best to get a new pup?

My Pointer will be one year old next month. By hunting season 14 or 15 months. He was born in August.

I feel like he will be a fairly good dog this year, his first season. I also feel like he missed out on a lot of good training time when he was small because there was not a lot of good weather through the winter here in Utah.

I am starting to consider getting another pup. Probably a female this time. Is there anything that makes a pup born in the spring/summer/fall/or winter better than another?

My pup was born in April, which was good for us because we got him in June and have had all summer to spend with him and house train him. I'll begin his field training sometime after 4 or 5 months old, and he'll be 6 months by the end of October. I hope to get him out and get some experience hunting late this season.

That being said, if you get a dog that is born earlier, you might be able to spend the summer months working on field training rather than house training and have a stronger dog during the first season.

It's all preference really, but just make sure to plan time for a new pup and everything will work out ok.

I'm not sure where you are located, but that's sure to make a difference. We are getting a Vizsla, bring home at 7 or 8 weeks in December, and the breeders in Phoenix seem to be doing that on purpose, maybe because they don't want the bitches too uncomfortable in the summer. (?)

We did notice when we went out with the Vizsla club that they start puppy hunt training around 7 months old, and that means that when they start the training next spring/summer (they go north of Phoenix, not so hot) that our puppy would be about the right age to get started. I don't know if that is a coincidence, but I know that both reputable breeders in the area are members of the club.

My pup was born on July 16 of last year. I really like the summer pups because it gives you the fall to work on puppy training and then winter, Spring and Summer to work on obedience and bird work before their first full hunting season.

I have got both of my pups from litters born in march and april, which is perfect so you can train all summer and then use dove season to help evaluate the pup. Dove season is great for pointing breeds for helping to learn to hunt dead. Plus you get the pup excited for going hunting when they see you bring out your gun or vest.