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Step 1
Determine your needs. Evaluate what you want the dog to do, how much training you want to put into it, whether you want a puppy that you will raise to become a hunting dog or an adult dog with hunting experience. Additionally, narrow down the type of hunting dog you need: a general hunting dog, a gun dog, a bird dog or a retriever.
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Step 2
Wait until a puppy is at least 7 weeks old to begin looking for physical characteristics. Most features, such as the body type, head and mouth size are distinguishable by this point.
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Step 3
Look at an adult's mouth. Give it a toy mallard to see how it plays. The ideal retriever will have a medium length and medium-to-wide mouth with a gentle bite that is capable of retrieving water foul without puncturing the bird with its teeth.
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Step 4
Visit a puppy. Observe its interaction with other puppies and humans. Toss a stuffed pheasant or mallard into the play area to see which puppies naturally gravitate towards it. Look for the natural hierarchy that forms among the puppies and use this to choose a puppy that fits your hunting style.
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Step 5
Ask to see the sire and the dam of a puppy and take note of how well they stand up from a seated or laying position. If they appear to do it effortlessly, this is a good indication that the puppies have healthy hips and aren't predisposed to hip dysplasia.
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Step 6
Request to see the test and field test and hunt test scores of the parents or look for it on the AKC Web site. While these can't guarantee anything of your puppy, they can give you a good indication of what you can expect.
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Step 7
Walk away if the breeder doesn't ask you a variety of questions. He or she should be asking about your hunting intentions, the living environment available to the puppy, whether you have other animals or children, etc. The breeder should be whole-heartedly concerned with placing the puppies in a good home and not just selling them for a profit.
