All you Lab Guys
- Thread starter Flush 'Em Hard Rocky
- Start date
pheasantaddict
New member
Some old hunter told me , Neutered dogs can't hunt, Inside dogs can't hunt, Big labs can't hunt, and Never pet a bird dog or it will stop hunting. Damn, now I have to give away all my hunting dogs. We limited out 40 days last season but now I know we were just lucky according to some old guy.
Gatzby
Well-known member
I to am a purist I don't believe labs should be bred to point. Let them be retreivers and don't dilute their natural skill set. I don't want to offend any one but I worry that the breed will suffer. That being said I have a black 70 pound male that has a thin single coat and a muscular build. He is perfect in my opinion, to bad he was a stray so I have no idea about his pedigree. I try to work him everyday and he lasts well in the field. I also have a candlewood pup, I have high expectations for this guy if his bug hunting skills indicate anything. I am a little worried he may get a little bigger than I want (both parents were low 80 lbs). As for british labs I find them to be a little soft but for a family dog part time hunter they seem good.
In a nut shell 70-80 lbs from a reputable breeder........than bury them in birds. Spend every free day and every extra dollar at the game farm.
In a nut shell 70-80 lbs from a reputable breeder........than bury them in birds. Spend every free day and every extra dollar at the game farm.
Two of my biggest points for finding my current lab were parents and size. The parents were good hunters, so that met criteria 1. Second was size, I wanted a smaller lab, this is based what the vet recommended and most importantly what the wife wanted. Well Dad was about 65 to 70 and Mom was about 55 to 60. I paid $350 for the dog, both parents were registered, I will not register my dog and already have had her fixed.
I ended up with a female that after 1.5 years is about 60 to 65 pounds and an absolute joy! Last fall the pup simply followed by golden retrieve in flushing birds, the dog really had no clue but learned a lot. However, the pup made 6 out of 7 retrieves over the old pro. This year with training and being out she has figured out why she has a nose. It is awesome to watch a dog learn.
My second point is up until this dog my best dog has been a mixed lab, this by far was the best hunting dog I have hunted over, for the small purchase price of $10.
Dave
I ended up with a female that after 1.5 years is about 60 to 65 pounds and an absolute joy! Last fall the pup simply followed by golden retrieve in flushing birds, the dog really had no clue but learned a lot. However, the pup made 6 out of 7 retrieves over the old pro. This year with training and being out she has figured out why she has a nose. It is awesome to watch a dog learn.
My second point is up until this dog my best dog has been a mixed lab, this by far was the best hunting dog I have hunted over, for the small purchase price of $10.
Dave
KwickLabs
New member
I have four Labs, and they are all under 70 pounds. This is not only an advantage in the house, but in a boat.....they take up less space. 
Generally speaking , most of the larger Labs I seen are more difficult to keep in shape, and they don't handle the heat as well (bulkier body.....more to cool off). However, another important part of the equation is most of the Labs I've seen are really not conditioned properly.....especially for the upland. Running retrieving setups, drills and cold blinds do not translate to the aerobics required in upland hunting.
Of my four Labs the smallest and slightest built seems to have more speed, endurance and staying power for the long haul. She loves to run out in front of the ATV. Of course a lot of what I see has to do with her personality....drive and desire.
So if I were looking to buy a Lab for the uplands, the parents would have to not be large, have natural, quick and easy speed, move with a free, long stride, have a ton of go in their personality and demonstrate a love to run.....out front.
Oh, I forgot to mention....if they love to run big....it would be better if they pointed.
"Daisy"
Generally speaking , most of the larger Labs I seen are more difficult to keep in shape, and they don't handle the heat as well (bulkier body.....more to cool off). However, another important part of the equation is most of the Labs I've seen are really not conditioned properly.....especially for the upland. Running retrieving setups, drills and cold blinds do not translate to the aerobics required in upland hunting.
Of my four Labs the smallest and slightest built seems to have more speed, endurance and staying power for the long haul. She loves to run out in front of the ATV. Of course a lot of what I see has to do with her personality....drive and desire.
So if I were looking to buy a Lab for the uplands, the parents would have to not be large, have natural, quick and easy speed, move with a free, long stride, have a ton of go in their personality and demonstrate a love to run.....out front.
Oh, I forgot to mention....if they love to run big....it would be better if they pointed.
"Daisy"
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I agree with KwickLabs, I have a 55 lb female and a 60 lb male, they handle the multi-day upland hunts much better than my old 75 lb male. They handle the heat better, stay fresher longer on the big walks, recover for the next day with more spring in their step and suffer far fewer pad problems. They are plenty big enough for waterfowl, even the giant canada's, it might not be a picture perfect hold but they get the bigger geese back just fine.
bobeyerite
New member
I hunted behind a Black Pointing Lab, back in 1955 and 1956. She was great and it was her that sold me on the pointing breeds. As you can see that was over 50 years ago and I don't think the breed has suffered yet.......Bob
my 2 cents worth
I am new here so hi all who read this! I have hunted over labs for many yrs but then 4yrs ago got a small munsterlander and have not regreted since! While labs & springers are great bird dogs and very well may get you more birds.A pointer adds a differnet twist to hunting,first no blowing whistle trying to get dog back in range, second NO running after dogs trying to keep as they are in hot puresuite (four wheel drive VS two wheel drive) Instead let your pointer run watch ,throw in a pinch of chew and wait for the dog to point a bird!! Walk up kick bird in butt and shoot! Down side a pointer does need more tranning time then a lab or springer but most of us like doing that anyway. Either way you & your new puppy should hopefully enjoy many hunts to come. be well.....beefcake
I am new here so hi all who read this! I have hunted over labs for many yrs but then 4yrs ago got a small munsterlander and have not regreted since! While labs & springers are great bird dogs and very well may get you more birds.A pointer adds a differnet twist to hunting,first no blowing whistle trying to get dog back in range, second NO running after dogs trying to keep as they are in hot puresuite (four wheel drive VS two wheel drive) Instead let your pointer run watch ,throw in a pinch of chew and wait for the dog to point a bird!! Walk up kick bird in butt and shoot! Down side a pointer does need more tranning time then a lab or springer but most of us like doing that anyway. Either way you & your new puppy should hopefully enjoy many hunts to come. be well.....beefcake
bobeyerite
New member
Welcome to UPH beefcake, That was an interesting post, thank you. Hope to see more posts like it........Bob
alliesway
New member
Here is my BLM last week on his first Early goose hunt @ 17 months and 55#, with a 11# goose brought back to heel "6 times that morning"! He just so happens to naturaly point "not trained to stand".. Ya, I wish these dogs would not be bred this way as from the way I see it they are truely ruining the breed, with thier endless health clearances, and constantly putting better dogs together; who knows what will come of this! :nutz:
Back to the original question "Rocky", please dont categorize pointing labs into one category alone; look for good hunting stock! Pointing labs are the same as any other lab, but most happen to naturaly point. You will find they mostly are smaller framed and well suited for the upland; but don't let their size fool you for doing work as my attached picture shows. The dog is hard to see cause the goose is covering most of the veiw!
I wanted the point, as I think it is the iceing on the cake as a waterfowler who wants to upland hunt as well. I can tell you though, even if my boy did not point and only flushed I would still be just as happy with him! His desire to please, and hard drive for birds makes it a great pleasure to be with him in the field; and his off switch is amazing in the house with the family!! Don't get stuck on cost if you truely know what you want. Do your homework on breeders and if you see something you really like, that initial cost is minimal over the coarse of the dogs life. Sure there are a ton of good dogs that come from back yard breedings, but be sure you know what you are getting if you go that route. I do not have the time to spend working for a year with a dog to realize it is not what I wanted, but the family is attached and I am now stuck with an animal for a long time.. Find a good breeder and go watch his dogs run, and keep looking till you find what you want!!
Just my thoughts on your questions..
Good luck, Steve
Back to the original question "Rocky", please dont categorize pointing labs into one category alone; look for good hunting stock! Pointing labs are the same as any other lab, but most happen to naturaly point. You will find they mostly are smaller framed and well suited for the upland; but don't let their size fool you for doing work as my attached picture shows. The dog is hard to see cause the goose is covering most of the veiw!
I wanted the point, as I think it is the iceing on the cake as a waterfowler who wants to upland hunt as well. I can tell you though, even if my boy did not point and only flushed I would still be just as happy with him! His desire to please, and hard drive for birds makes it a great pleasure to be with him in the field; and his off switch is amazing in the house with the family!! Don't get stuck on cost if you truely know what you want. Do your homework on breeders and if you see something you really like, that initial cost is minimal over the coarse of the dogs life. Sure there are a ton of good dogs that come from back yard breedings, but be sure you know what you are getting if you go that route. I do not have the time to spend working for a year with a dog to realize it is not what I wanted, but the family is attached and I am now stuck with an animal for a long time.. Find a good breeder and go watch his dogs run, and keep looking till you find what you want!!
Just my thoughts on your questions..
Good luck, Steve
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pheasantaddict
New member
If all dogs point, then all labs are already pointers. Thus any breeder should only breed labs that point to further develop their natural talents as pointers. Your arguement does not serve your point.
KwickLabs
New member
Thanks. I've been taking pictures regularly for several years now because the traning and hunting journals in my Website kind of record each dog's progress. PIctures are better than words. In addition, I've found it amazing how often a picture reveals how a dog really looks. I don't know how many times I have caught myself saying, "Boy, I just don't remember seeing him/her looking like that."
My camera progression started with a $50 D-Link digital and the last year I've been using a Canon Rebel XTi and three quality of inexpensive lenses. At first, I had some issues with carrying the more expensive camera in the field, but now it goes everywhere. So far, there have been no problems with water, rain, "muck" and all the other "stuff" encoutered when hunting.
Sorry about the delay in the reply. I was on a five day duck hunting trip.....just got back this evening.
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pointing labs
Mr addict you are right about my point/nonpoint! What i should have said was all dogs can point but some have had that (to some degree) bread out of them over the yrs. Will they ever lose that desire completly no,and while some labs point VERY WELL& WILL HOLD BIRDS there are other dogs that are more suited to the pointing game?? P.S i love labs am not bashing them here at all!! some of the best ppl i know are dogs!!
Mr addict you are right about my point/nonpoint! What i should have said was all dogs can point but some have had that (to some degree) bread out of them over the yrs. Will they ever lose that desire completly no,and while some labs point VERY WELL& WILL HOLD BIRDS there are other dogs that are more suited to the pointing game?? P.S i love labs am not bashing them here at all!! some of the best ppl i know are dogs!!
gracierator
New member
Rocky- you have started a small war here
I was in your postion two years ago, and I end up with a pointing lab. YES she does point! I run her with Brittany, GSP, Viszla dogs and she holds her points like they do. Now off my soap box. Pointing Labs are normally smaller framed 55-70lbs. Build like a bird dog, not a sumo wrestler. That is WHY I got one, build to run all day. Pointing was just a plus for me. I think a small frame lab is the ticket for you and bird contact, tons of birds! Like someone said already, bird ranches with all your extra money! It takes birds to make a bird dog
I was in your postion two years ago, and I end up with a pointing lab. YES she does point! I run her with Brittany, GSP, Viszla dogs and she holds her points like they do. Now off my soap box. Pointing Labs are normally smaller framed 55-70lbs. Build like a bird dog, not a sumo wrestler. That is WHY I got one, build to run all day. Pointing was just a plus for me. I think a small frame lab is the ticket for you and bird contact, tons of birds! Like someone said already, bird ranches with all your extra money! It takes birds to make a bird dog