He turned 9 in February, how many more years will I get to bring him out in the field with me. He still has plenty of spunk in him, but I know it can turn at anytime. How old can dogs be and still hunt ’em up.
My last pup passed at 9 after a good day in the field. So, anytime I guess. Just don’t over work him and keep him well hydrated with high energy food. He’ll be fine. You’ll know when he starts lagging.
Just wanted to say nice pics
My lab is going on 9 years now also, she’s still full of energy – some days to much.
Jeff
My Brittany went 10years full speed 1 more part time and became house dog at 12 until she passed last fall at 16 1/2
Mwal
My best bud Timber is 9 here in this pic and will be 10 this year..I worrie the same but we have our South Dakota trip planned this year and she still runs non stop in the field…here’s to many more good hunts 
…Jay
Yep, same boat here. Rufus turned 10 this September. 
I thought last year he would have trouble in the field. He surprised me with his endurance and durability. This past Summer I have noticed a big change in him and it is killing me. Either way, this Fall he hunts as long or as hard as he wants. He has earned that right. That is my answer to your question. If he can go 5 minutes, I will take him out for 5 minutes and call it a day if I have to. He has done everything I have asked of him for 9 full years and Falls. I owe it to him for the remaining time we have left together. I hope it is another 10 years, but I relaize it won’t be. 
Just cherish the hunts remaining and don’t ever take your best buddy for granted! 
Here is to a successful 2009 for Rufus and I, along with all IDO’ers and their best pals! May the dog work be as good ever, may the memories made in the field be cherished forever, and may the birds be plentiful!! 
Nice dog pics everyone. Can’t wait til after the wedding next year to get a house so I can finally get a dog!
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Yep, same boat here. Rufus turned 10 this September.
I thought last year he would have trouble in the field. He surprised me with his endurance and durability. This past Summer I have noticed a big change in him and it is killing me. Either way, this Fall he hunts as long or as hard as he wants. He has earned that right. That is my answer to your question. If he can go 5 minutes, I will take him out for 5 minutes and call it a day if I have to. He has done everything I have asked of him for 9 full years and Falls. I owe it to him for the remaining time we have left together. I hope it is another 10 years, but I relaize it won’t be.
Here is to a successful 2009 for Rufus and I, along with all IDO’ers and their best pals!
I was kind of thinking the same thing, I will let him decide who, what, where, when and how. Thanks everyone for the input.
RR, my dog just loves beer, he must have learned from the best. 
Ok. Now that we’ve settled that. Would it be inappropriate to post more pics of your wife drinking beer? 
I was told by the vet when Tanner, my Yellow was 12, to let her do what she wants. If she wants to swim or hunt, let her. She would tell me when enough was enough. They may get slower, but the drive is still there. There is nothing better than watching your dog work and have fun doing what they love. You still have a few good years left. Then they really like the coach. I had to put my lab down at 13. Really bad hips.
Good luck Bob,
My last dog Rocky passed away when he was 9 in the summer (cancer) and the fall before he still hunted, instead of hunting both days of the weekend we would hunt one or just half a day. He is a pic of the last bird that he retrieved that he had to chase 1/4 mile out into a plowed corn field.
Great story and picwalleye4383! Thanks for sharing!
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They may get slower, but the drive is still there.
Yep, right on Tim! As long as he is having fun, so am I!
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Ok. Now that we’ve settled that. Would it be inappropriate to post more pics of your wife drinking beer?
Oh brother, we would have to upgrade the server for all them pictures. She can drink most normal humans under the table. 
I hunted Sandy by herself until she was 9 and then with a partner til she was 11 when she was side lined by a dislocated shoulder.She is 15 now and still gets reved up when I get a gun out of the safe. Sometimes I take her out to the duck blind just so she can get a smell of swamp and splash at the edge of the water but she gets wore out pretty quick.
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My last dog Rocky passed away when he was 9 in the summer (cancer) and the fall before he still hunted, instead of hunting both days of the weekend we would hunt one or just half a day. He is a pic of the last bird that he retrieved that he had to chase 1/4 mile out into a plowed corn field.
A picture I’m sure that you will cherish forever. Thanks for sharing.
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