this weekend i was out with some friends for our vets day hunt that we do every year. during this hunt all the bird seemed to be holding very tight. the first rooster my dog flushed like usual. after that she started to point i don’t know if it was because they were sitting so tight but she would find them and freeze till i told her to get the bird. has anyone had a lab do this? is pointing a come and go thing for some labs?
I would say I have seen a lot of labs point to some extent. Not like a true pointer, but long enough to get the picture. All but a few were actually bred for it. If you are not worried about it, then I would say let it be. I get to hunt with some field trial labs from time to time, and if they smell a bird they will not stop until its in their mouth. I would attribute this to a lot of force fetching. You could always do more of that if you were worried about the problem.
I would say I have seen a lot of labs point to some extent. Not like a true pointer, but long enough to get the picture. All but a few were actually bred for it. If you are not worried about it, then I would say let it be. I get to hunt with some field trial labs from time to time, and if they smell a bird they will not stop until its in their mouth. I would attribute this to a lot of force fetching. You could always do more of that if you were worried about the problem.
It is a good trait. I actually have a pointing lab that was bread for it. It is great with kids or beginners. It allows the shooter to get set and then shoot. It is also safer for the hunters and the birds. You have realitively shorter shots and not as much swing with the gun. I would encourage it if your dog is doing it. If you are tournament hunting and you need the speed for times, I would not, otherwise let her work. 
It is a good trait. I actually have a pointing lab that was bread for it. It is great with kids or beginners. It allows the shooter to get set and then shoot. It is also safer for the hunters and the birds. You have realitively shorter shots and not as much swing with the gun. I would encourage it if your dog is doing it. If you are tournament hunting and you need the speed for times, I would not, otherwise let her work.
My thought about dogs is they seem to be smarter than me when it comes to hunting. My chocolate will do the same but for her it comes and goes. Wind can play a small role in this as well. they stop to be sure of the scent.
My two cents is let it be and let the dog hunt.
eyedoc2
My thought about dogs is they seem to be smarter than me when it comes to hunting. My chocolate will do the same but for her it comes and goes. Wind can play a small role in this as well. they stop to be sure of the scent.
My two cents is let it be and let the dog hunt.
eyedoc2
thanks for the reply, the only concern i had is that she may start to get lazy on runners. but, like i said it only happened once and was kind of neat. i guess i will have to hunt alot more to see if she is going to keep doing it. 
thanks for the reply, the only concern i had is that she may start to get lazy on runners. but, like i said it only happened once and was kind of neat. i guess i will have to hunt alot more to see if she is going to keep doing it.
MY dog Rufus’s Mom was a actual Pointing Lab. Rufus does it on occassion if he is on a lot of birds or sometimes if the other dog points he will honor. Just natural ability and he does not get lazy on a runner either. I actually think it is pretty cool when he does it. Like others said, it gives you time and everyone can get ready before the flush. Nothing wrong with that. The last point he did was with Sliders Dog (Star)last time out. It was pretty cool seeing both of them locked up on a bird. If your dog is just your hunting buddy, nothing to worry about. If that bird moves, I’m pretty sure your dog will be on its tail.
MY dog Rufus’s Mom was a actual Pointing Lab. Rufus does it on occassion if he is on a lot of birds or sometimes if the other dog points he will honor. Just natural ability and he does not get lazy on a runner either. I actually think it is pretty cool when he does it. Like others said, it gives you time and everyone can get ready before the flush. Nothing wrong with that. The last point he did was with Sliders Dog (Star)last time out. It was pretty cool seeing both of them locked up on a bird. If your dog is just your hunting buddy, nothing to worry about. If that bird moves, I’m pretty sure your dog will be on its tail.
My golden has pointed twice so far this year. As long as she finds them I really dont care how she deals with them.
My golden has pointed twice so far this year. As long as she finds them I really dont care how she deals with them.
I always find it truely amazing what dogs pick up on, naturally. Hunted behind a 2 year old chocolate, didn’t take her 5 minutes for her to figure out the birds were holding tight in knocked down grass, she would stop and investigate every clump, listening and sniff’n, she has never been trained, formally. Best dog I’ve been behind. My Dog was found at a roadside stand, mother chocolate, father springer, he did it all. Pointed and even would try to flush birds back at you if they held tight for him, trouble is, his best years are behind him, he is 12. Breaks my heart to get out the door with my gun and listen to him howl. He still enjoys road hunting-seems to be more his speed. Still won’t retrieve roosters, think he was spurred at a young age. Retreives ducks though, I think he leaves ’em lay just to let me know he is still in charge.
I always find it truely amazing what dogs pick up on, naturally. Hunted behind a 2 year old chocolate, didn’t take her 5 minutes for her to figure out the birds were holding tight in knocked down grass, she would stop and investigate every clump, listening and sniff’n, she has never been trained, formally. Best dog I’ve been behind. My Dog was found at a roadside stand, mother chocolate, father springer, he did it all. Pointed and even would try to flush birds back at you if they held tight for him, trouble is, his best years are behind him, he is 12. Breaks my heart to get out the door with my gun and listen to him howl. He still enjoys road hunting-seems to be more his speed. Still won’t retrieve roosters, think he was spurred at a young age. Retreives ducks though, I think he leaves ’em lay just to let me know he is still in charge.
I heard from a trainer that most dogs pause before the pounce. We hunter see it as a point.
Retriever owner want a dog that busts in and makes the bird flush, so they train the dog not to pause.
I have a German shorthair pointer, I like a pointer as they give you time to get ready and most of all have time to look around for a safe shot.
Ron
I heard from a trainer that most dogs pause before the pounce. We hunter see it as a point.
Retriever owner want a dog that busts in and makes the bird flush, so they train the dog not to pause.
I have a German shorthair pointer, I like a pointer as they give you time to get ready and most of all have time to look around for a safe shot.
Ron
Pointers are for old guys with bad aim. They find the bird, wait for the hunter to catch up, and then flush the bird at your feet. The smart hunters bring a lab along to get the bird after they shoot it, because you know that pointer isn’t going to get any feathers in his mouth. 
Pointers are for old guys with bad aim. They find the bird, wait for the hunter to catch up, and then flush the bird at your feet. The smart hunters bring a lab along to get the bird after they shoot it, because you know that pointer isn’t going to get any feathers in his mouth.
Quote:
Pointers are for old guys with bad aim. They find the bird, wait for the hunter to catch up, and then flush the bird at your feet.
Or for young guys who love to watch a dog on point 
I think if I had the option to look a a dog on point, or a naked lady, I would have to look at the dog, at least until I flushed and shot the bird
And any dog will retreive if you teach it. I have not picked up a bird since I got the mutt trained And I don’t have to worry that my visla will get bad hips, and chew up my furniture 
Ohh yeah, short hair doesn’t collect burrs, and he can clean himself
Quote:
Pointers are for old guys with bad aim. They find the bird, wait for the hunter to catch up, and then flush the bird at your feet.
Or for young guys who love to watch a dog on point I think if I had the option to look a a dog on point, or a naked lady, I would have to look at the dog, at least until I flushed and shot the bird
And any dog will retreive if you teach it. I have not picked up a bird since I got the mutt trained And I don’t have to worry that my visla will get bad hips, and chew up my furniture Ohh yeah, short hair doesn’t collect burrs, and he can clean himself
Or for young guys who love to watch a dog on point I think if I had the option to look a a dog on point, or a naked lady, I would have to look at the dog, at least until I flushed and shot the bird
Lets just hope you dont get the two mixed up
flushers may have bad hips but I havent met a shorthair that hasnt lost there mind 
. I believe they are also very prone to seperation anxiety.
I actually think all dogs can pausse before pouncing which we call a point I no my dog does it from time to time.
Or for young guys who love to watch a dog on point I think if I had the option to look a a dog on point, or a naked lady, I would have to look at the dog, at least until I flushed and shot the bird
Lets just hope you dont get the two mixed up
flushers may have bad hips but I havent met a shorthair that hasnt lost there mind . I believe they are also very prone to seperation anxiety.
I actually think all dogs can pausse before pouncing which we call a point I no my dog does it from time to time.
So what if my dog a bad case of ADHD, I think I have it too
So what if my dog a bad case of ADHD, I think I have it too
It all starts with the owners. I am blonde and polish can you imagine how my dog turned out
It all starts with the owners. I am blonde and polish can you imagine how my dog turned out
Quote:
Pointers are for old guys with bad aim. They find the bird, wait for the hunter to catch up, and then flush the bird at your feet.
Hah….No feathers in his mouth huh??? Now I almost have to come out Sat. to show you it’s not a fluke! Cooper is in the process of learning to retrieve. He does not like to have a live bird on the ground……He will kil it in short order. I have not let him try to bring it too far as he likes to bite and chew on em alittle bit.
Quote:
Pointers are for old guys with bad aim. They find the bird, wait for the hunter to catch up, and then flush the bird at your feet.
Hah….No feathers in his mouth huh??? Now I almost have to come out Sat. to show you it’s not a fluke! Cooper is in the process of learning to retrieve. He does not like to have a live bird on the ground……He will kil it in short order. I have not let him try to bring it too far as he likes to bite and chew on em alittle bit.
Quote:
Pointers are for old guys with bad aim. They find the bird, wait for the hunter to catch up, and then flush the bird at your feet.
Last time I was out with Lip, a bird was retrieved to me by my pointer. He gave it to hand and then Lips dog come over and took it from my hand and carried it over to Lip. Well at least I did not have to carry it around.
Great post Dan. You should have got a pointer, I have seen you shoot. 
Ron
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