AKC pedigree question??

[Rex]

I'm fixing to invest money into a yellow lab and was wanting to know if anyone on here knows how to read an AKC pedigree. The breeder faxed them to me and I was wondering if I scanned them in, if I could send them to someone on here that really knows there stuff. Just to make sure I'm not getting hosed. Thanks

[bowhuntermac]

Look for titles on the perdigree (FC, AFC, etc,) as well as hunt test titles (SH, MH, etc). Be sure to find out about hips and eye guarantees and see what the OFA score on the parents was. You do not want to wind up with a dog that will have a lot of medical problems, especially if you are going to be working him hard.

[46&2]

Mac summed it up pretty good. I don't put any stock in the SH title though. Are you going to field trial, hunt test or just wanting a gundog? You can email the ped to archeryonlyATgmail.com and I could give you my 2 cents on the pedigree.

[SaltwaterSlick]

The pedigree is for sure important, but if you want the pup for a gundog, what would be more important is have you seen the parents hunt? The hip and eye certifications are important too. Of all the criteria, the pedigree is the least important to a hunter as long as the hips, shoulders and eyes check out for the parents. Table top dogs (bred for show) are usually useless as hunters, or at best require a LOT of training to restart their repressed hunting gene characteristics... Just my hunter's opinion of a dog...I never got into the hunt tests, field trials, show, etc. I do have a female that had one litter of 11 pups that have some champion hunt/field trial dogs in it. She however is my hunting partner and "lapdog"...

[Hunt NXS]

My Chessie comes from a champion line of hunters. I had to do very little to train him, it was all instinct. He's my lap-dog as well. Comes to work with me daily.

[Bill]

See the parents hunt, talk to their owners and owners of other pups from prior litters of the parents. The apple does not fall far from the tree.

[Rattler]

The apple does not fall far from the tree.

This is a true statement! My GSP pup I got almost a week ago scratches on the back door to be let in. Something her mother was doing when we picked her up!

[Wayno]

Another trick I heard once. Once you've decided on the litter, walk around the yard dragging a piece of bacon. Release the pups and see which one picks up on the scent first. That will give you an indication as to which one has the best nose. Never tried it, but it makes sense.

[Topgun]

email ped to kford@howelloil-gas.com and I can tell you what I know.

[cantexduck]

When it comes to picking a pup just grab one. I have heard too many ways to pick one. I dont buy any of them.

What are you wantting out of the pup? It is going to be used for hunt tests and feild trails (which) leads to breeding, then look for master hunters. If a gun dog is what you want then advise above is good. Parents of the pup are all you need.

I might get burned but- I have met some feild trail/hunt test champs that couldnt hunt worth a crap. I have a hunting dog. She would be hard up to pass a Sr. test (even at 5y/o) but I wouldnt trade her for the world. If you after a hunting dog I wouldnt get too caught up on the titles. A gun dog is also a family dog. Personality can be bred out.

[Rex]

From what I can tell there are several Champions on both the dame and sire pedigrees. Both are OFA'ed (Dad is Excellent and Mom is Good) Eyes are also good on both plus a 26 Month Health Guarantee. I want a good hunting dog but I may also breed later down the road, so that is why I want the parents to have a good background...at least on paper. Trying to get these things scanned. Thanks

[Carolina_Boy]

I have heard of a lot of retrievers having degenerative hip problems. I think it is called diplasia(sp?). But I think that many dogs have a hip certification saying that the parents did not have any issues. I have seen dogs with the problem, and a lot have to be put down. It is very debilitating. You might want to check that out to avoid having a dog that you'd have to see in pain for a long time.