Do you have a preferred time of year for your bird dogs birth

[Gobble Gobble]

If you were to get a new bird dog puppy do you have a preferred time of year for the birth of said new puppy? We are new to bird dogs and my son knows what we wants to spend his money on, a chocolate pointing lab. We will be doing upland and waterfowl. My son has an opportunity to pic from a litter born 2/15/24 or wait till the fall for a litter from a different Dame but same Sire. I never thought about it until yesterday when I was talking to a wire hair owner and he said he would only buy a spring puppy as you can't train a puppy in the cold of winter. What are your thoughts on fall birth and training a puppy in the winter? We need to make a decision soon as weather he gets one from this litter or wait for the fall and pray the other Dame goes into heat around August her next estimated cycle time.

So we know the Sire has a good field trial resume with nearly all the awards possible for a pointing lab. I know nothing of the dame that whelped 2/12 (Stud fee birth and my son has been told he would get pick of litter reserved for the owner of the Sire) and the dame we have been waiting on to go into heat (August time frame and owned by the owner of the Sire) has only her first basic field trial award for pointing. Should my son wait or get one now? Either way he has been told he gets pick of the litter.

[Bone collector 13]

I got a pup born 2/18 and wouldn’t have it any other way. I trained all summer, hunted first season with her and now she’s at a professional trainer for 2 months

[BD1]

As someone who has some extended time off in December it is my preferred time. I found to have a few few weeks together if possible was awesome. I realize not everyone has that opportunity.

[ASHQUACK]

My absolute best lab was born in October. Delivered in December trained for 9 months prior to his first hunting retrieve. He was an absolute beast in the blind and field. My current pup is 8 months old now and we are not even close to being ready for her 1st hunting retrieve. She is still on basic retrieves and zero blind work and it will be another 6 or 7 months before she gets any actual hunting experience.

[Happy Gilmore]

Pointing labs is mostly training and weather has absolutely no impact on teaching a dog to point. Why would cold weather stop you from a trained point?

You don't sound like you know what titles are or mean so, it's good to educate yourself a bit on what you're buying. People really like to use things that folks don't understand to sell you puppies for more money than they're worth.

Pointing titles don't mean crap if the dogs hips, eyes, heart, cnm, dm, or elbows take them out first. Good breeders have a detailed list you should have before buying. Watched so many guys here post about cancer and broken dogs after buying from the guys who bragged about how their 1,000 duck a year retriever doesn't need health testing etc etc

[h2ofowlr]

When I have had to replace my dogs, I always look to find a new pup in the Jan. - April season.  It's my hunting off season, gives me lots of time to train with the pup and I can start bringing them out in the field with me in October.

[Old Dog]

Pointing labs is mostly training and weather has absolutely no impact on teaching a dog to point. Why would cold weather stop you from a trained point?

You don't sound like you know what titles are or mean so, it's good to educate yourself a bit on what you're buying. People really like to use things that folks don't understand to sell you puppies for more money than they're worth.

Pointing titles don't mean crap if the dogs hips, eyes, heart, cnm, dm, or elbows take them out first. Good breeders have a detailed list you should have before buying. Watched so many guys here post about cancer and broken dogs after buying from the guys who bragged about how their 1,000 duck a year retriever doesn't need health testing etc etc

I agree with everything you said. 

Just for clarification, I am the breeder in question.  Both my dogs are OFA certified, Genetically tested for EIC, PRA, CNM, and four others.  Tested non-dilute, (no silver), and coat colors.  Neither of my chocolates carry yellow, so no Dudley's.  I really think this is best choice for the young man, but I originally planned for a spring litter.  When I realized that couldn't happen I offered the alternative.   

[Happy Gilmore]

That's great you're doing the right testing. It's not popular on this site.

As the breeder, if breed when you can because you've done all your homework and checked appropriate health testing boxes. Well done

[follow maggie]

I’m not sure where your friend gets the idea that you can’t train in the winter. Haley & I work on stuff in the winter, even when the temps are -10. If you want the dog to hunt & perform in the winter, it makes sense to train in the winter.

[GWP]

We have done dog training for many many years. Spring babies ‘may’ be ready to hunt by Fall, or at least get them out on wild birds, but there are plenty of training things to do inside during winter.
My favorite ‘fun’ training is track training. Watching the little *censored*s when the light really switches on and you know they just ‘got it’ is a thrill. Actually anytime that happens is fun with any training.
One of the ‘rules’ when they get started is happily accepting ANYTHING they bring and place in your hand.
The wife was training a female that would find every dead thing, some rotten to the point of making the wife gag, maggot incrusted, smelly dripping mess. We often joked that dog would have made a great cadaver search dog.
Have fun with your new pup! Remember to keep training ‘fun’ for your puppy!