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  1. #1
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    Puppy size and conformation

    I'm looking at a fox red lab puppy. He's 9 weeks old and weighs 10 pounds. His dam weighs approx. 50 lbs and they said his sire is a little heavier. I'm looking for a puppy we can do field trials with in the future. Conformation wise does he look ok? Also, isn't 10 lbs a little on the small side? I'm very new to this breed and I want to start out right. I'm not looking to breed I just want a good solid dog. I've attached a picture of his sire as well.
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  2. #2
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    It's almost impossible to tell what a 9 week old puppy will look like as an adult. A good guide is the size of the dogs in the puppies lines, not jus the sire and dam. From a conformation standpoint, all bets are off as this pup comes from field/working lines, and these breeders are more concerned with working ability than the dog conforming to the breed standard.

    Personally I'd be more concerned with health clearances. Have the parents been tested and cleared for all the normal hereditary issues, hips, elbows, eyes, heart, EIC, CNM, amongst others?

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  4. #3
    Senior Dog Shelley's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jjswhite View Post
    I'm looking at a fox red lab puppy. He's 9 weeks old and weighs 10 pounds. His dam weighs approx. 50 lbs and they said his sire is a little heavier. I'm looking for a puppy we can do field trials with in the future. Conformation wise does he look ok? Also, isn't 10 lbs a little on the small side? I'm very new to this breed and I want to start out right. I'm not looking to breed I just want a good solid dog. I've attached a picture of his sire as well.
    Hi,
    It appears your puppy is from field lines, and will be different than what I breed for. With the parents on the smaller side I suppose 10 lbs could be in a good weight range for him, you could ask your breeder if you have concerns, and see what they have to tell you.

    I breed the bench type of Labrador, and my puppies are usually around 17-20 lbs at 9 weeks old, my adult girls are 73-77 lbs and the stud dogs I use are usually in the 85-95 lbs range. We evaluate puppies for conformation starting at birth, but more formally between 6-8 weeks on the table stacking them, and watching them move on the ground.

    This puppy was from a few litters ago, but she was 9 weeks in the photo, as reference for you.

    -dsc_0014-1-jpg

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    windycanyon (01-04-2018)

  6. #4
    Senior Dog dxboon's Avatar
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    If you want to do field trials then I think the most important things to ask of your future breeder are 1) what kind of health clearances have been passed by the sire/dam of this litter and better yet, what is the history of health in this pedigree? Have the parents passed their hip/elbow clearances, heart, EIC, PRA, eyes, etc.; 2) Also does the breeder compete in field trials? Are the parents titled in the events you want to do?

    The breeder should be able to advise if this size for this age is typical of their lines. The average field producers are not known for putting primary emphasis on correct conformation against the written standard; they are breeding to win field trials if that's their competition venue, so you'll have to decide if what you see in their lines is attractive to your eye.

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  8. #5
    Senior Dog windycanyon's Avatar
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    Have to respectfully disagree w/ you on this one Barry!




    Quote Originally Posted by barry581 View Post
    It's almost impossible to tell what a 9 week old puppy will look like as an adult. A good guide is the size of the dogs in the puppies lines, not jus the sire and dam. From a conformation standpoint, all bets are off as this pup comes from field/working lines, and these breeders are more concerned with working ability than the dog conforming to the breed standard.

    Personally I'd be more concerned with health clearances. Have the parents been tested and cleared for all the normal hereditary issues, hips, elbows, eyes, heart, EIC, CNM, amongst others?
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  10. #6
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    conformation to the standard really doesn't seem to concern FT/HT breeders. I would look at if they do ALL clearances and have the titles and wins on the PARENTS, meaning the breeders compete themselves with the dogs. Too many folks saying their pedigree is great, "full of champions"...when the last titled dog in any sport is 5 generations back and never belonged to the breeder. And just for comparison on size, my old girl gone a few years back now came from a not so great breeder but did have some nice FT lines behind her. She was 7 pounds at 7 weeks and grew into a nice solid 80# girl.

  11. #7
    Senior Dog Berna's Avatar
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    If the last picture is one of the puppy's parents, I'd say the breeder doesn't breed dogs for conformation. That dog doesn't stand a chance in the ring.
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  12. #8
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Berna View Post
    If the last picture is one of the puppy's parents, I'd say the breeder doesn't breed dogs for conformation. That dog doesn't stand a chance in the ring.
    I don't think they were thinking of showing the dog, at least I hope not. I think it was more of just a general comment of what we think of the dog?? I don't know. But for sure, nothing for showing.

  13. #9
    Senior Dog Berna's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JenC View Post
    I don't think they were thinking of showing the dog, at least I hope not. I think it was more of just a general comment of what we think of the dog?? I don't know. But for sure, nothing for showing.
    Maybe, but then, why would the OP be interested in the conformation of his puppy, since the breeder obviously doesn’t breed according to the breed standard? I don’t understand his question then.


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  14. #10
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
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    I think they don't get that conformation has nothing to do with Field Trial dogs. It's just a newbie question.

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