Thinking about getting a pup

[Crestliner Fritz]

Our Springer will be 12 this year and it is time to start thinking about getting a new pup. I am considering switching from a Springer to a lab for a couple of reasons. Short hair should be easier to care for and possibly a lab will be calmer as a pup and therefore be allowed in the house more.

I am primary an upland hunter - ruff grouse, pheasants and wood****. But I do some waterfowl hunting, possibly would do more if I had a lab, especially later in the year when the ducks actually show up.
I obviously want a field bred dog. Currently I am considering an American lab, British lab, pointing lab and Springer. Any experience or advice?

Also, my previous dogs have come from back yard type breeders and I have had respectable hunting dogs, but I am considering going with a kennel this time. Any recommendation on kennels? Or kennels to avoid?

I have gotten great advice on Walleye Central before and I am glad to see them add this forum on hunting dogs. Thanks for all advice.

Fritz

[Ivy]

I have a friend that has a pointing Lab. The dog does pretty good upland hunting. He is great about retrieving. So so on pointing. I think if you have always hunted behind a flushing dog a pointing Lab would be a great choice.

If you had always hunted behind a pure pointing dog ( G.S.P. English Pointer or Setter )I think you might be a little disappointed with a pointing Lab.

Obviously the Lab would be a great waterfowl hunter as well.

Ivy

[Unlogged T-Mac]

A good (a go getter with good bloodlines) hunting bred, lab pup will be a handful, too.
They might be calmer when they are adults, but the good pups are just as crazy as any bird dog.

[wheels]

Take a look at the Drahthaar. Calm dogs, which are a truly versatile dog. Natural retrievers and pointers. heavier coats to allow for waterfowl, plus endurance to allow for upland.

As far as backyard breeding, a true Drahthaar (not a German Wirehair) is a German regulated breed, and the breeding requirements are very strict, almost completely eliminating a bad breeding.

My 9 month old acts like he's 9 YEARS old. He's a wonderful house dog, but has an extremely strong prey drive once it's time to hunt.

Here's a pic of him while on point during some training.

http://www.walleyecentral.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=3863&size=big&cat=500



"Friends don't let friends fish for trout!"

[Pups]

This is my experience with various breeds of hunting dogs:

Grew up in the '70's with high-powered labs of field-trial breeding, and they were awesome in the field, especially for waterfowl.

Got involved with English Springers and English ****ers, due to the fact that we spent a lot of time afield for upland game, and an occasional waterfowl hunt - became very active with our state Spaniel Club, and enjoy working with flushing spaniels - still have one that's 8 years old.

Have a number of friends that do a significant amount of pheasant hunting with me each year - they bring their GSP's and Viszla's - they do well in the first couple of weekends, but sometimes struggle on wily birds later in the season.

I now have a 2 year old British Lab #### that I would have a tough time living without - she is small (45 lbs or so), very docile and friendly (lays at my feet when on break or sits on pickup seat), but becomes an exceptional hunter when I ask her to "find the birds" - anyone that has hunted over her will testify to the fact that she is THE COMPLETE PACKAGE! - due to time constraints (built a new shop) this past summer, I could not spend the time necessary to keep a young dog in tune before season started. I expected that I would have to give her a few attitude adjustments on opening weekend to keep her quartering close, steady, etc - I was pleasantly surprised, and did not have to "adjust her attitude" - she quartered at 15-20 yards, was steady to flush, found every bird, etc - in addition, when the going gets tough, such as extremely thick brush in the river bottoms, etc, she is the dog of choice - she barrels in, and gets the job done.

In my opinion, the British Labs that I've had the pleasure to hunt over are the best all-around hunting dog available today.


Thanks,
Dave

[JimRK]

Pup - Dave

I am interested in the kennel that you got your lab from. Could you post the name of the kennel? A smaller sized female lab sounds very interesting. Learned a long time ago that you don't need an eighty pound dog to retrieve a three pound bird.

Thanks Jim

[Pups]

Hi,

They've got 2 litters on the ground now - it's Oahe Kennels - they are located about 15 miles southeast of Bismarck - Tom Ness has this kennel - he raises and trains English ****ers and British Labs - has had National High Point ****ers, and has exceptional Labs - goes to the UK every other year or so - Tom's kennel # is 701 673-3322, his home phone is 701 673-3450.

Dave

[Nebraska Hunter]

I have hunted with Springers for years. When mine got to old to hunt my wife said "she wanted a calm hunting dog". I researched for about a year and settled on a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. He has been a great addition and a solid hunter. Plus he is very calm. He hunts like a Springer except he points.

[Stu]

You mentioned that this may be a house dog. I have had a springer and a lab and beleive it or not, my lad sheds alot more than my springer. If you are going to let it in your house, think about a yellow lab. Their hair is softer and will not show as much as a black or chocolate one. Good luck - Stu

[oldecoy@yahoo.com]

If you want a pheasant hunting machine, excellent house dog don't pass up a english setter pup..easy to train very good with kids, will become a family member overnight. oldecoy@yahoo.com

[duck soup]

I love my springer after having labs for years. You want short hair, just shave your springer. Your dog will love you for it and so will the wife.

[tmatug]

I have a two year old GSP, great dog and loves the water. If you are looking for a GSP,take a look at countrysidebreeders.com, she has great dogs.

[Steve of Madison]

I am sitting solidly in the Springer Camp. But make sure they come from Field stock. There is a considerable amount of Bench/Field breeding going on. A true field Springer will be smaller with smaller ears and less feathery on the belly. And if you want less shedding, shave! The earlier posting was correct.
If you are used to a flushing dog, stick with them. Pointers take lots of time and effort, it may come naturally to some, but not most. And if you do not know how to train properly you can do more damage than good.
Labs of any color must be background checked for field use. Labs are being bred by every Tom Dick and Harry, with no concern with what is being produced. Some of the Labs I've seen recently, even the ones with papers, hardly would have been considered a Lab even 5 years ago. Plus after 20 yrs of training flushing dogs, some labs are better trained with a 2x4, the Springers I see just want to please.....anybody!

[baydogman]

GREAT ADVICE EVERYONE, BUT NOT A SOUL HAS MENTIONED THE CHESSAPEAKE BAY RETREIVER. THE MOST LOYAL AND DEDICATED OF ALL BIRD DOGS. DONT TELL ME THEY ARE AGGRESSIVE AND HARD HEADED EITHER. BECAUSE THEY ARE VERY TRAINABLE AND FRIENDLY, JUST LOYAL AND PROTECTIVE BIRD MACHINES.

[Crestliner Fritz]

Thanks for all the input. I decided to stay with the springers. I believe I have found a good kennel with some field bred springers.

Thanks again,

Fritz

[2catch1]

I have only ever met 1 chesapeke bay retriever I could trust. We compete our yellow lab in dock jumping and after being almost attacked for no reason by a few of these dogs I would feel hesitant to get one. But hey they jump well!!!

[5thsuit]

My Lab is now 11 and last week I picked out a Chessy. I love my lab however she never measured up to the Chesepeake she replaced.