Harder to find a good hunting golden line I think. But I’ve hunted over one and she’s similar to a good lab in finding, flushing and retrieving. In this case, any differences between the golden and the labs have more to do with differences in training than in the breeds of dog. Biggest difference for what I’ve seen is far more post-hunt grooming with a golden! Seeing her at the end of a muddy hunt or if there’s been any amount of burrs in the cover is enough to convince me to stick with labs!
Cheers,
Dave
As someone who’s had & hunted over labs his whole life, what are some differences between a lab as opposed to a Golden in the field? Leaning heavily towards a Golden pup this time.
I spoke with one breeder who kept telling me about how her dogs dual show/hunting dogs & used the word “show” a little too much for me. Needless to say, it was a short conversation
If one has a good line of hunting dogs,why involve them in field trials? And why the emphasis on field-trial accomplishments, when advertising their respective liters? Dunno.
If you read a pedigree some/most have various field trial accomplishments. As a hunter, this means very little (to me) as some of the trials are water-based...perhaps this appeals to the duck hunter.
Possible place to start in ones search for a dog, could be trainers in a given area. They may, at least, head you in the right direction.
I appreciate everyone’s insight & thoughts on the subject. I’ve only ever owned & hunted labs. Mainly upland. That’s my passion. My last buddy passed away a couple years ago & ive been out of the game since then. I’m ready again. The reason I’m considering a Golden is that a friend of mine breeds Golden’s & runs them in hunt tests & they’re beautiful animals. He won’t have another litter for a year or so I’ve been doing some research. Ready to try a different breed. Really looking forward to my new pup!
I live in South central Indiana. I’m trying to avoid traveling across country & shipping. I found a breeder a few hours away from me & have talked to a few guys that know his kennel & have hunted behind his dogs & he’s gotten high praise from them. Think I might go with him but I’m open to suggestions
I live in South central Indiana. I’m trying to avoid traveling across country & shipping. I found a breeder a few hours away from me & have talked to a few guys that know his kennel & have hunted behind his dogs & he’s gotten high praise from them. Think I might go with him but I’m open to suggestions
I will add one tidbit, I had a friend who raised HUNTING goldens, and they mature to be light framed , very athletic dogs... He has passed, and his lineage lost. They were GREAT dogs.... I am a Lab guy, and would have be very happy with such well bred dogs
in Dual breedings you may end up with a MORE STOCKY specimen, which may hunt, and hunt hard, but in the end, can have have issues , with hips, and or Back,due to Carrying a large frame around in Upland situations.... I have seen in the field , and at hunt tests, Dual dogs perform well...
But you may not get the Lifespan of a dog, you could out of field breeding...
Let me throw this at everyone as well. What are your thoughts on dew claw removal? One breeder says that they do not remove them as they can be useful to the dog? Never heard that before. Not saying it isn’t true