Puppy Stacks - Page 3

She's young- often a more balanced pup overall, ie, actually stronger, will not be as "OMG" at this age. The maniacs sometimes peter out or mature to simply not reach the potential expected by judging them young on puppy exuberance and drive, whereas a pup like Evi will develop more well-rounded and be almost equally strong in all areas, ie, more versatile. My theory, anyway. She's a keeper, IMO. I don't remember the ped, but if it's a solid pedigree (type to type, predictable outcomes) I'd hang on to her for future breeding. 

Pups don't develop at the same rate or on a schedule.  The ones that look good early usually look good later but the late bloomers are often the best of the best.  Especially males.  Between 8 and 12 months the personality, drives, and confidence of the puppy is pretty much set.  The strongest, most driven and most confident puppy at 5-6 months will likely be good at 18 months but may get passed by one of their less impressive early life litter mates.  The two biggest, strongest and most confident males I have raised were both the runts of the litter.  Very few people know this because very few people raise an entire litter to adulthood.

I can relate to this as well. I kept the sire from his litter and my husband questioned me semi frequently about my puppy choice as he was like this little girl. Always watching, always waiting, very slow growing and not very driven at all. He found no reason to chase a rag with the other puppies and instead sat back, waiting for it to swing by him for a quick grab. What he lacked in drive he made up for in determination. He has one of the most awesome noses I have seen on a dog and picked up scent cones by 4 months. He was doing blind retrieves at 4 months (area search type scenarios) and would rather die then walk away not having found his kong.

If I found the right person who would work her, not necessarily IPO, but some form of real work I would consider co-owning her with someone fairly local. As it is, I cannot keep another dog, as much as I would like to. I see so much of her father in her.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YtLBHwxmx7I

Endi

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E3tfMktivbQ

Eli

Hope the links work

Okay, re. the '2 year old on a sugar high' comment I made, I feel I need to clarify that a bit!

Eska is a typical working line pup, and gets into typical puppy mischief: stealing toilet paper rolls, carrying shoes, bits of paper and anything else she finds around in her mouth, then eventually settling down to chew on it. (Need I mention she's teething?  )

I was missing one of my shoes when I got up this morning....looked EVERYWHERE for it. Eventually it showed up in the kitchen...have NO idea where she found it! (It was unharmed.)

She does have a nice off switch, and spent a good half-hour lying at my feet while I baked a carrot cake this morning. (Pics to follow.)  She's discovered a taste for grated carrot.

She is gradually learning the difference between a flirt pole rag and a dish towel, though it's been a bit of a struggle. She has most of the basic obedience commands down pat already, but of course, at this age, her attention span leaves a lot to be desired. And with the kennel being very busy over Christmas, I haven't had as much time to train her as I'd like

When she gets into mischief, I have no one to blame but myself for not watching her closely enough. She is very playful, and keeps me smiling with her antics. Although she chases the cat, she has never put her teeth on him, nor have I ever seen so much as a scratch mark on her nose! They are very gentle with each other. And that gentleness carries over to her interactions with humans. She will mouth your hands, but she does it gently, and has never drawn blood. She doesn't attack pant legs, though she will go for anything that's dangling, like laces, scarves, etc. because they remind her of the flirt pole, which is her favourite thing in this world.

Great pups and they look like they will be plenty big .. slow growth is good but some bloodlines just grow faster than others.

Endie

Melissa

Titus 15 months-  still a pup in my eyes :)

Thanks Joan, he is a big boy.  I may slim him down a bit, what do you think?

btw, Wallace is doing well this far.  I really really like him.  His disposition cracks me up