With investment and rigor, any breeder can become a dog user. But not all dogs can
not become good herd dogs! Know that the more your flock dog will have good natural abilities, the more he
you will be easy to train.
Here are some tips to make sure you do not go wrong when choosing your puppy:
- A puppy can not be bought over the phone: it is absolutely necessary to see him in the middle of the litter, in his usual environment;
- Privilege a shepherd dog: Border Collie, Beauceron, Pyrenean Shepherd, Australian Kelpie ... and preferably purebred
- Take a dog whose parents are known for their flock skills and who regularly work on flocks (x);
- Regardless of the breed and pedigree of the puppy, ask to see both parents working (if possible). Observe the motherwhen she is at the flock and at rest, to get an idea of her temperament: under no circumstances should she be timid or aggressive. If you do not like it, it's better to forget that reach.
- The puppy's sex is only a matter of taste. Indeed, males and females have the same job skills;
- Look at the whole scope. Choose from curious puppies and players and who come spontaneously to you (sociable puppies). Avoid absolutely puppies that you can not come near, suspicious and timid: they will be out of control and unusable to the flock.
- Choose a healthy puppy: shiny hair, expressive eyes (no puss), skin not presenting neither redness nor traces of pitting of parasites, clean ears (without exudate yellowish), jaws without overflow, umbilicus without hernia, belly not bloated (sign of verminous infection), and, for a male, 2 palpable testicles.
- Adopt a puppy between 8 and 12 weeks old. At this age, he will be weaned and can very easily integrate into your new environment.
- Only "crack" for a puppy you like. Do not forget that you're going to team upwith him for almost 10 years!
