My philosophy is to produce a puppy at the height of his potential. We start by carefully selecting our breeding stock. I like to use health screened animals that gives us the best chance to produce a healthy, long lived dog. My second goal is to raise our dogs like a house hold pet as well as a hunting companion and a best freind for my boys. I never have more than 4 dogs on the place, it is all I can bond to properly. WE Co-Own with freinds, so other dogs in our breeding program have their own family life.
All the puppies are raised off my kitchen and are handled from day one. There was a great study done by the monks who raise quality German Shepherds. They discovered techniques all of which involve early handling and human interaction. They were able to create more adjusted and trainable adult animals. So once they begin crawling about they are underfoot, placed all day in the center of the action where even a crowd can't get ignored.
Weather permitting they are kenneled at night and taught about grass or paper in the house. I love vari kennels they are excellent as their den and as a tool in house training and transporting. We start introducing them at an early age to water, wings, and all sorts of exploring.
Lastly I want to retain the natural hunting abilities so all our breeding animals hunt and are close range dogs. Though we do not participate in the local NAVDA groups these dogs would do well in that venue. This is a wonderful organization that gives you a way to test both your dogs natural abilities and your developing handling skills. AKC has some great opportunities in confirmation but also has obedience and working dog competitions. I can't wait for someone to take one of these guys through an agility course, I think they could sweep this sort of thing, and maybe one day when my young family is a little older I will try this myself.
My high point is getting the right puppy to the right folks, we work so much with them we know their personalities, and make it our goal for you to know your puppy by the time he arrives.