Labradors
 

I'm in the market again, three years after Earl passed.

Earl was a family dog since the kids were infants when we got him. The next one will be more of a working dog/retriever for geese, ducks and quail. My son and I want to train the dog.

A few questions:

I've been looking on line for books concerning how to train a Lab to be an effective hunting dog....there is almost too much information. It is hard to pick a method or series of instructional material. Does anyone in the PP Trust have real world experience to help guide my methods?

Thanks in advance.

I am looking for an English Lab, like Earl. Again, the amount of data on breeders is overwhelming. I've been to all the sites, trust me. The guy I purchased Earl from over fifteen years ago is no longer in business...his number no longer connects. I'm working the local jungle drums as well.

So, again, anyone who has been where I am headed that has a recommendation I would be grateful. I am willing to wait for the right dog.

We have rescued a lot of dogs over the years so I get it. Our current dogs are both rescues. I have a specific task in mind and want the right dog not someones mistake. Sorry.

Lastly, I have a name picked out...a tribute to a certain Haiku master who posts here:cool:

You're naming the dog Odd Job Uno?

Close:D

An FYI...
I met a fellow in Oregon a couple of years ago who owned a "German Water Dog". A wonderful hunting dog, it was a treat to watch its working style. The owner said it was the best of all the hunting dogs that he owned/trained over his 50+ years of hunting.
I put the name in quotes because the rest of us recognized it as a Standard Poodle. I hunted all my youth in North Dakota but w/o a dog...I would love to try the Standard, but I don't hunt anymore.
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Poodles have been bastardized by man, IMO.
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"The poodle was originally bred to be a water dog -- retrieving game fowl trapped or shot down by its owners. In fact the name "poodle" is a derivative of the old German extraction "pudeln" which translates roughly as 'to splash in water.'"
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Poodle History | Historical Information About Poodles
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Have fun training & hunting w/your new pup. 'Sounds like fun.
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I've had labs for years...bought my current dog's mother over 15 years ago from a breeder that only raised chocolate's for duck hunting...she was the smartest dog I have ever had...she "got it". I had her trained on hand signals..wasn't hard at all.

The biggest factor, IMHO, is time spent with the dog and positive reinforcement. She thrived on her reward ( a tennis ball and lots of praise).

Her son, Zola, is the BEST dog I have ever had. Super laid back faimily pet. Seriously, the BEST dog! He listens extremely well but I never trained him for hunting. He is now eight and slowing down big time. He's a fat, happy dog.

When the time comes for a new dog, I am also seriously considering a standard poodle.

Rika?


I wish you luck, we've never attempted to train our Lab/Heeler mix to retrieve, but I can tell she would be good at it. Labs are some of my favorite dogs, and you know that however you train the new pup, you will love it.

Very cool, Don.

I had no idea.

I am set on a Lab mainly because I know the breed and there are a lot of other animals on my farm...temperament is more critical than hunting skill.

That was a great link.

Is the breeder still a going concern? Earl was a black lab so I'm looking for a chocolate.

Thanks!

I believe so...down in Duck Town, Tenn. I will look into it as I have friends near the area.

Thanks, I do appreciate it. Smart is what I want.

And the name will be Reka: "River".

well, my Golden is named for the Scottish word that means the crossing of a narrow strait of water...

re training and breeders - go talk to each breeder and discuss that specific (hunting?) task with each one -- a good breeder will want to interview you anyway to make sure their dog has a good home, but you probably knew that

scientists who have studied dogs have found that what we call "retrieving" is based on 3 innate behaviors that are bound together during training (developmental behavior is the term) and each has been selected for by breeders - unfortunately, it's been so long ago that I don't recall the articles on it or even all 3 of the behaviors - Let me try an educated guess tho: 1. desire to mouth and nerve endings in the lips & mouth; 2. return to companion (owner, butler or demi-god depending on the mind set); and 3. most likely the "give" behavior

Viszla? Great retrievers.

"Nota"

LOL

I found blath and Firth and Kyle.

I'm interested.

1st generation Labradoodle best retriever I've ever known... best of both breeds

Good luck with your breeder and puppy search! I would not however name my pup "Tabs" :).

Labs are great, I prefer a female. Take your time in choosing your pup, I would try to see the parents if possible. I got my new pup about four months ago.

Richard Wolthers books are about the best for training your pup. He was a nuclear physicist whose hobby was retrievers. I would get one of his books before the pup.

good luck

Labs are incredible This is big kasey. He passed last yr but what a great buddyhttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1326669376.jpg

JAKE! Gone but not forgotten.

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Kylesque (sp) - short version is Kylie (female)

1st Golden was named "Mac"

Thanks for the reminder of how little time we really have with our furry companions. I spent the day, walking the beach, riding in the Landy and chilling at the cigar lounge......all with my yellow lab right there at my side. We both had a great day and im thankful for every day I get with him.

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Our current Labs 10 Years Age diffrence.

Top notch dogs hunting & family.

My Long Gong Favorite
Gunner 1991- 2005

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I got my first purebread lab in 1998, a yellow female. We bread her a couple of years later with a purebread chocolate and got 10 black pups. We placed the pups in homes of good freinds and one went on to be a drug dog for the CBSA (like her grand father). We kept one black male. I lost them in a divorce but still see them a couple of time each week and my son sees them half of each week. The yellow female does not have much time left, but they are both great loyal animals.

We picked up a pure bread Boxer puppy in the summer, didn't want the labrador memories (or shedding) :) Different animal, but every bit as loyal and loving. Strangely she play fetch really well, but can't catch a frisbee to save her life....

"Golden" goes with retrievers and "yellow" goes with labs...... Just a "pet" peeve..... :)

best dog we have ever had the pleasure of owning. the early years were very "destructive". once we survived the ordeal, it was very fulfilling. best duck dog ever.

All of the Labs I have had have been rescues - there are plenty of 'lab rescue' organizations. Maybe consider that?

Best of both worlds - you get a lab and save a life. Still - since I have always rescued I have never had a puppy.

I want a puppy. =-)

This is Nat, the fabulous dog I had in my teens and early 20s.

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I picked up on the word destructive in your comment. Our black lab passed away last March. She used to dig holes in the grass and in the garden.She would eat flowers and anything kind of edible. She was a typical permanent two year old. We are now having a break from dogs. She was a great dog but crazy until her last couple of years until she was 13.As much as I love puppies, they are lots of work and will have to do some hard thinking before we get another dog again. Thanks for the pics of all your furry friends above:)

Our Golden "Daisy"...
 

Here is our family dog of 4 years. Daisy isn't a Labrador Retriever, but she's a wonderful Golden Retriever and we keep her trimmed short because of allergies...

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Sorta been in your shoes over the last year --lost both our old labs in a six month period.
12 and 14 years old
Generally we do a pup and a rescue.

Wanted a dog that had good hunting skills and was mellow tempered. Lucky to have a local breeder recommended by a former breeder friend. The new guy is doing well with his lessons but time wil tell

My advice is do your research

Saw both parents - really liked the male. liked the fact the breeder bred his dogs limited times with the females being mature. The key is check out the breeders. Good ones will refer you current owners.

Labs are the best
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Bam at 5.5 months and 4 weeks

Very nice! Beautiful.

I talked with a guy who is a friend of a friend. He recommended a Chesapeake/Lab mix.

I'm going to meet one this week end.

Homework is fun!

Here's a handy chart to pick out your favorite lab:

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I got a package deal on three of his books.

Thanks for the tip, Steve, I appreciate it.

No, I don't obsess much:cool:

Cross
 

A lab chessy cross would be very cool and most likely a very good dog .

As a lab guy I like the half and halfs -though you tend to get some different personality.

The dog in the picture was half cattle dog and half lab --very durable, very smart tho not as loving as my labs have been. not great in the water but good in hot weather.

Enjoy the puppy hunt as most likely you will be hooked pretty quick. the Chess/Lab will most likely run larger than a standard lab especially if one of the parents is chocolate. that said should be a very good looking dog

Mflo http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1326828844.jpg

Monks of New Skeet book is also good

Remember - you are ALWAYS training the dog

and think about those connections you have to make among various more coded behaviors - i.e. you need to link things in the doggie head

Not my first prom date...I am always willing to learn.

I agree with Brporsche, Vizslas are great family dogs....here's our Bodi!!!

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Bodi (red) and Sidney....a vizsla friend!

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Love him!

Alex

Alex,

Those are simply beautiful dogs...what a pair.

Are they suitable for cold weather retrieving? The problem in Maryland is that our hunting season for water fowl are in late fall, winter. It get chilly!

Again, what a pair.

Vizlas are amazing dogs. Talk to Jim (lowyder993). He's got Vizlas and hunts with them.

Here is our English girl Gwen. Simply the most gentile, intelligent lab we've ever owned.

Funny fact:
We have lots of hardwood floors, labs drool a lot when they get a drink. Gwen seemed to excel at dragging water throughout the house after a drink. It took one day to train her to stay in the laundry room (where her water bowl is) until someone dries her muzzle. Sometimes we'll be watching TV and notice the dog is not at our feet like usual, and we'll find her asleep in the laundry room, waiting to be dried. She will stay there for hours if we are not careful :)
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