Picking the right breed of dog for you might have seemed complicated, but it’s not nearly as complicated as finding a reputable breeder. If you’re looking for a pet, feel free to look wherever you want. But if you’re looking for a true blue hunting machine don’t go to the pet section of your local newspaper. If you ever run into someone with a machine of a dog and ask them, “Where did you find him?” You will never hear them say, “I found him in the paper.” No no no. The most truthful answer is “I searched all over hell’s half acre and finally found him at so-and-so’s kennel and paid good money for him, but he is worth it.”
Now the reason Mr. So-and-So is a reputable breeder is because he is well respected for the way he takes care of his dogs. A few sure fire ways to tell if the breeder you’re dealing with, and his or her dogs are the real deal, is to first ask them if the parents and grandparents of the pups hunt. If the answer is yes, then by all means proceed, if it’s no then they aren’t selling hunting dogs, they’re selling pets.
Second, ask if both parents are on site. It’s good to remember here that some people will reach outside their own kennel to better their bloodline which isn’t a bad thing. If the answer is yes, arrange a meeting to look at the pups. If no, then ask if it can be arranged. It is key for the next step that both parents are there.
Third, ask them to show you both parents working. Now like I said, some people reach outside their own kennel to better their bloodline. If the other breeder is reputable they will have no problem letting you see their dogs work. If the owner of the dogs says they hunt but won’t let you see them work, then it’s the right time to just back out and move on. If they do show you, then you’re in business.
In my case, I went to Mr. Chuck Lenard owner of Timber Creek Gun Dogs and I don’t believe you can get more reputable than he is. He is very experienced, takes great care of his dogs, and to add the cherry on top, his dogs are amazing hunters.
Just a little side note, for any beginners the breeder you buy your pup from, most of the time, is happy to help you train it, especially the older generation. Plus, more than likely, they are a member of some sort of hunt club like the Hunting Retriever Club (HRC). It is great if you join one of these kind of clubs. You most likely won’t have to pay a trainer at all, they will help you from start to finish. It’s a good way to make some new hunting buddies.
As always God bless. Gale Laffoon
