Pick of the litter

if you are going to breed a litter now and then for hog hunting then be sure to select as best you can...test the pups for winding and locating...keep the pups that consistently do the right things...look for natural ability...

examples of natural ability (natural instinct)...the pup that naturally puts his nose to the wind...and goes straight to the spot and finds and then makes circles with his nose extended and not down like a vacuum cleaner as he searches and finds more...yes...you can get all the pups to circle and find but there will be one or two that will take to it like a duck takes to water...at least that is what we hope for...I can not speak for other breeds or lines of dogs but that is how I pick mine...

run a drag and see if they run the track...if one pup runs in front while tracking chances are he will do the same as a grown dog...

I do not care for super dominant pups...nor hyper pups...somewhat energetic is ok...usually the best dogs tend to be laid back until you turn them out and they come alive...

Watch your pups from real young until they mature...they should be on an acceptable learning curve...for me if they are not on that curve I will not use them as breeders and probably will not keep them...not saying they won't make decent hog dogs...the better the dogs I have the more I expect from the puppy/puppy curve...

at least that is my thought process...

I watch the pups on a daily basis and look for that special pup...the special pup can be different than the average pup...they usually have that regal look (demeanor) about them and they can be out exploring, looking and sniffing around just doing things that tells you they are independent...my interpretation of independence means that more than likely if that pup will hunt as a grown dog it simply means he does not need another dog to go get it done...

let your imagination be your guide...if you want the best you have to breed to the best and retain the best pups as you reasonably can...