hunting dogs

what breed of dogs have you guys had the best luck with training and hunting. could you give me some information on what your favorite is and why.

I’ve always been a lab guy…and when my last good ol’ American Lab passed away a year and a half ago I did a fair amount of research and came up with the British Lab. Smaller in stature (females top out at around 55#, males around 65#), they’re really blocky and good looking animals.

The most remarkable thing is their disposition. Calm. Mellow. Steady. Contrary to our American Labs, which have been bred for decades to be frieght trains with robotic-like “drive” (which translates into a MONSTER in the house in the off season), the Brits have been breeding these dogs to be gentlmen’s hunting companions.

Don’t mistake that for slow or disinterested in the field. They are hunting machines – but they have amazing blind manners (even in their first year afield).

I’ve had mine (a yellow female) for about a year and a half now. Could not be happier. Smart, easy to train, eager to please, yet steady. That’s the best word to describe the breed. Steady.

The Duck’s Unlimited mascot, Drake, is a Brittish Lab. Hope onto their website and take a look at him. Handsome dog.

If you’re interested in locating a breeder, shoot me a PM. I researched a number of them.

Not to disagree with anything you guys are saying here, because I do agree that now days the Lab in America is bred primarily to be a HIGH power trial dog. I have the utmost respect for the breeders, trainers, etc that are doing these trials. I read a very good comparison in regards to the “American bred” labs, for the most part your average person is looking to buy a trail pony, not a thoroughbred race horse.

There are still excellent breeders out there that have the same theory and ideas I do in regards to the perfect lab. It is similar to that of the “British labs”. Most people do look for that calm, even tempered disposition. Or basically a dog that is not going to be bouncing off the walls when your at home and knows when it is out in the field that it is game time. I am definetly not saying that the type of high power dog here in the USA shouldn’t be bred, they certainly have their place, and I have alot of respect for the British Lab, but my point is that you don’t have to rely solely upon a British lab if your looking for great disposition out of a lab.

I have proof that they do STILL exist in the here and anyone that says a bench dog can’t hunt has never put time into training, because I have just that, a dog with numerous generations of conformation titles and he will have a JH shortly.

But back to the topic it really relies solely upon what each person is looking for, I have always wanted a calm, tractible dog that will be a great companion for life. That is why I have the labs I do now.

Take a good look at the type of hunting and climate you do most of it in. Another question to ask yourself, pointer or flusher. I am partial to labs but have hunted behind great spaniels, shepards, and hounds. Not to put down the Brits. but saying all American labs are monsters as house dogs is way too much of a generalization!. I have had numerous labs, my own and others in the house. Never no problems. Lay down the ground rules when they are young, like all breeds- and you will have minimal problems. It has more to do with the training and consistency then anything. You can also find that middleweight lab around the 60 to 70lb range with no problem.

I totally agree with Windy and Don. My American lab has a history of Field Trial NFC,AFC, NAFC’s in front of him. With one of the “best dogs” ever on his pedigree, San Joaquin Honcho (sp??). Rufus is not a trail dog himself, but his temperament, disposition etc. is just as mellow as any British Lab, with a huge drive to hunt and please when it is time do so. I think a lot of this has to do with how the dog is trained. Rufus’s parents were the same way. They all know when it is time to work and when it is time to just hang out. IMO Dogs are very similar to kids. Some kids behave, while others run around with reckless abandon. Or in other words some are better disciplined, while others are not.

The first years with Rufus were a lot of fun, but at the same time a lot of discipline was handed out. It was very tough, but in the long run way easier and worth it IMO. Also, I need to note, I know I was dealt a very special dog, that made things a lot easier for me and training and owning my frst dog I ever had.

Just my $.02.

Are you done with Goldens? They sure arent popular in the field and its hard to find good hunting ones but I sure enjoy mine and she is plenty intense for me plus a joy around the house.

As I have aged, my choice of dog breeds has also. With the days of counting rooster tail feathers, grouse fans, and lanyards full of bands long past, now the focus is more about style, and the quality of the hunt. The grinder dogs are great if its all about birds in the bag, but these days I would rather see great dog work than put some meat in the freezer. Just like what was said before find a breed that fits the way you hunt, then find a breeder who has what your looking for.

CW

I am partial to pointers because I love watching a dog on point, and I hunt upland 95% of the time. I don’t need a water retreiver. I have and hunt a Vizsla. Love it, don’t think I will own another breed in my life. But this is the dog that works for ME, and may not fit you.

Take a look at how you hunt, and what you want the dog to do. Narrow it down to pointer or flusher. Then go through the temperments of the breeds. House dog or outside dog, etc. Then narrow it down to a breed.

Once that is determined, research the breeders, and the lines they breed. When you think you have one breeder in mind, go look at their facilities, see the mother and father, see them hunt if at all possible, check their temperment, and training. If everything is what you want you got a dog.

This is a lot of work, and in all honesty, most people won’t do it, but you will have this dog for 15 years (hopefully), and you owe it to yourself and your dog to have a good fit.

I don’t think breeds are inherently more or less difficult to train. Some people do not mesh with the dogs style, and for that reason are labeled as “hard to train”. I think more comes from how you handle it, and the time put into training.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide to get.

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see the mother and father, see them hunt if at all possible, check their temperment, and training.

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Very good point Farmboy1!

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I am partial to pointers because I love watching a dog on point.

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dogs on point are ok but now a deer on point thats cool

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dogs on point are ok but now a deer on point thats cool

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Wouldn’t that be a cool pet to have a deer that points.

i know a guy that raises Vizsla. that was one of my options that i was thinking about. i know the guy, know the bloodlines, know how they hunt and how he trains them. now i just need the money. lol

Remember when people first buy dogs they often think of the Cost of the Dog, but not all the other things that come with it. The original Cost of the Dog is miniscule to everything that comes after it. I also rather pay a little more money for a Dog with great traits, bloodlines, papers, etc. then buy a cheaper dog that is not AKC certified or does not have as good of traits, bloodlines.

Just my $.02

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Just my $.02

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every $0.02 helps

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I am partial to pointers because I love watching a dog on point.

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dogs on point are ok but now a deer on point thats cool

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Only you would have something like that…

lol i do do believe i pointed that one out

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I am partial to pointers because I love watching a dog on point.

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dogs on point are ok but now a deer on point thats cool

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I keep trying to see the pheasant in that picture.

That is really cool

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I am partial to pointers because I love watching a dog on point.

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dogs on point are ok but now a deer on point thats cool

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I keep trying to see the pheasant in that picture.

That is really cool

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There’s no pheasant in the picture farmboy – that little fawn is pointing out Gut’s tree stand!

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I am partial to pointers because I love watching a dog on point.

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dogs on point are ok but now a deer on point thats cool

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I keep trying to see the pheasant in that picture.

That is really cool

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There’s no pheasant in the picture farmboy – that little fawn is pointing out Gut’s tree stand!

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actually it is

lol. that is funny

I think I have the perfect Lab. He is an american lab and at 10 months he is as mellow as they come. He is rock solid in the field and let’s my daughter pull on his tail!