Do you folks think you can teach a mut to hunt? My hunting dog had an untimely death about a month ago. A freind of mine has a coworker how has a litter of 1/4 lab, 1/4 beagle, and 1/2 border collie. I dont have the money to purchase another lab and my two sons really want a new dog for Christmas. What are your thoughts?
My own mutt 1/2 lab a 1/2 golden retriever has turned out to be an excellent hunting dog. In my opinion a person can train almost any dog to hunt it just depends on how much work you are willing to put into training the dog.
My own mutt 1/2 lab a 1/2 golden retriever has turned out to be an excellent hunting dog. In my opinion a person can train almost any dog to hunt it just depends on how much work you are willing to put into training the dog.
Yes. I had muts growing up. 1 was a blueheeler crossed with half the county and she was a good bird dog, the other was some rat terrier cross, she hunted good too. I think with the 3 breeds you mentioned, you won’t have any problems getting a good “mut” hunting dog. The instinct should be there, the rest is time and training.
The more time, the better the dog.
Jay
Yes. I had muts growing up. 1 was a blueheeler crossed with half the county and she was a good bird dog, the other was some rat terrier cross, she hunted good too. I think with the 3 breeds you mentioned, you won’t have any problems getting a good “mut” hunting dog. The instinct should be there, the rest is time and training.
The more time, the better the dog.
Jay
My 1/2 cocker, 1/2 springer was the best bird dog I ever had! She loved to pheasant hunt more than any dog I’ve ever had, but she wouldn’t retrieve them…stand over them and wait for me to come and pick them up! When she got birdy in tall grass, she walked on just her hind legs so she could see better! Miss her…. 
Jon
My 1/2 cocker, 1/2 springer was the best bird dog I ever had! She loved to pheasant hunt more than any dog I’ve ever had, but she wouldn’t retrieve them…stand over them and wait for me to come and pick them up! When she got birdy in tall grass, she walked on just her hind legs so she could see better! Miss her….
Jon
I have a border collie lab mix. She loves to go hunting but isn’t much good for it. The Border Collie in her likes to herd and she won’t look up for birds. I would feel better doing that if I had a mix of hunting dogs. The lab, border mix makes great pets though and very smart compared to labs I have owned..
I have a border collie lab mix. She loves to go hunting but isn’t much good for it. The Border Collie in her likes to herd and she won’t look up for birds. I would feel better doing that if I had a mix of hunting dogs. The lab, border mix makes great pets though and very smart compared to labs I have owned..
My cousin’s pure bred cattle dog hunts like you wouldn’t believe. He is intimidated by guns, but he hunts. I’m not sure exactly what type of collie he is though.
My cousin’s pure bred cattle dog hunts like you wouldn’t believe. He is intimidated by guns, but he hunts. I’m not sure exactly what type of collie he is though.
Wish you lived closer to me–thinking of finding a home for one of my labs and she already hunts! But yes, mutts do make good hunting dogs–lots of farm dogs are great hunters! I have never scene a set of AKC papers find a bird yet!
–Whitey
Wish you lived closer to me–thinking of finding a home for one of my labs and she already hunts! But yes, mutts do make good hunting dogs–lots of farm dogs are great hunters! I have never scene a set of AKC papers find a bird yet!
–Whitey
Sure a Mutt can hunt but I would wait for a better mix. Keep your eyes and ears open, something will pop up. If you’re a hunter wait for that mix with some hunt in it, rather than collie (cattle dog) and beagle (coon dog). My bro has a beagle mix, most worthless pile of 
, it’s a howler as most beagles are, pretty annoying!!
You post here that you’re looking for a pup, something will pop up, lots of eyes and ears here!! I wouldn’t rush to get a pup cause the kids say RUSH, let them know you’ll get another but it may not be by Christmas, wait for the right “mutt”
BIRDDOG
Sure a Mutt can hunt but I would wait for a better mix. Keep your eyes and ears open, something will pop up. If you’re a hunter wait for that mix with some hunt in it, rather than collie (cattle dog) and beagle (coon dog). My bro has a beagle mix, most worthless pile of , it’s a howler as most beagles are, pretty annoying!!
You post here that you’re looking for a pup, something will pop up, lots of eyes and ears here!! I wouldn’t rush to get a pup cause the kids say RUSH, let them know you’ll get another but it may not be by Christmas, wait for the right “mutt”
BIRDDOG
Not exactly a mutt but one of my buddies fathers used to train and use his german shepard for pheasants. Went out with him a couple times in central IA and it was pretty funny to watch peoples reactions. It was no lab or springer etc. by any means but still got the job done pretty well.
Not exactly a mutt but one of my buddies fathers used to train and use his german shepard for pheasants. Went out with him a couple times in central IA and it was pretty funny to watch peoples reactions. It was no lab or springer etc. by any means but still got the job done pretty well.
Other guys may consider my dog a mutt, but I consider my dog Moose a hybrid. He is 1/2 lab, 1/2 chessie. He was a bit of an accident as you can say, but the pups were in high demand.
I would just make sure that the dog is going to have the physical attributes that you need for the type of hunting you do. Remember that you are going to have this dog for a long time. If you have any doubts, it may be best to pass and wait for another dog.
Other guys may consider my dog a mutt, but I consider my dog Moose a hybrid. He is 1/2 lab, 1/2 chessie. He was a bit of an accident as you can say, but the pups were in high demand.
I would just make sure that the dog is going to have the physical attributes that you need for the type of hunting you do. Remember that you are going to have this dog for a long time. If you have any doubts, it may be best to pass and wait for another dog.
Some of the best dogs I hunted behind growing up were mutts…purebred to me doesn’t mean better necessarily, for the weekend novice hunter…now if you are to make a living, papers and bloodline may make a difference…for you and I Winkels, a mutt would be fine (besides, I have seen you shoot, you might as well just get a dog that will catch the birds)
Some of the best dogs I hunted behind growing up were mutts…purebred to me doesn’t mean better necessarily, for the weekend novice hunter…now if you are to make a living, papers and bloodline may make a difference…for you and I Winkels, a mutt would be fine (besides, I have seen you shoot, you might as well just get a dog that will catch the birds)
Thanks for the oppinions. If you guys run across a pup that might be promising send me a pm, I would be greatful. Free would be ideal, money is a little tight.
I diffently do not want to rush into this. I must be getting soft! I have only been in my backyard 2-3 times since I lost my last dog. It just don’t feel right being there without him!
Have you had any experiences with the helping paws places or humane society?
Thanks for the oppinions. If you guys run across a pup that might be promising send me a pm, I would be greatful. Free would be ideal, money is a little tight.
I diffently do not want to rush into this. I must be getting soft! I have only been in my backyard 2-3 times since I lost my last dog. It just don’t feel right being there without him!
Have you had any experiences with the helping paws places or humane society?
What, no comment on your shooting abilities??? You are getting soft…hee hee
What, no comment on your shooting abilities??? You are getting soft…hee hee
Awesome Dog, and picture!! 
I have always had full chessies, but I would like the more “layed back” if you can call it that, of a lab in the chessie…
Awesome Dog, and picture!!
I have always had full chessies, but I would like the more “layed back” if you can call it that, of a lab in the chessie…
Thanks Luke. It seems to be a winner combination for me. We still have the female chessie with papers to make up another litter. I was given the chessie from another owner that couldn’t handle her. She is now living live high on the hog at my parents farm.
Winkels, I’ll keep an eye out for you. I would imagine so are the rest of the IDA’ers that read your post. Good Luck
Thanks Luke. It seems to be a winner combination for me. We still have the female chessie with papers to make up another litter. I was given the chessie from another owner that couldn’t handle her. She is now living live high on the hog at my parents farm.
Winkels, I’ll keep an eye out for you. I would imagine so are the rest of the IDA’ers that read your post. Good Luck
You let me know if that chessie wants a home in Byron
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