Hunting with your Gundog

I have a lab that is a cracker jack with pheasants, quail, is good with waterfowl, especially if it's cripple, but gets bored if the flights are to far apart, wants to route some thing up, we shot snipe and sora rails on afternoon during teal season. I don't think is unusual at all, Labs and others, springers, golden's are breeds that I've seen do it. There are versatile pointing dogs that are bred to do it as well! One thing about the Lab, he calms down and is currently sitting under my work desk. I would have trouble with my brittanies with that!
 
Okay, nobody freak out on me please...:eek:

I have not personally seen a dog that was outstanding at both, but I'm sure half the guys on this forum have a lab that is the best at both.:rolleyes: (Just a little ribbing, don't lynch me...)

Seems like a really great upland retriever is a serviceable duck dog, and a really great duck dog is a serviceable upland dog. But I have not PERSONALLY seen a dog that is remarkably good at both. But to be fair, all of the lab owners I know hunt one or the other primarily, so their dogs are way more experienced at one or the other.

With the right combination of dog, owner, training, and experience, I'm sure anything is possible. But I would say just about any duck dog is capable of upland hunting (and vice versa) and doing an acceptable job of it.
 
I don't feel it is a stretch......if the intensity is there the dog will do very well at both. The retrieving skills, determination, success, gained in waterfowling will only improve success on land. The only limiting factor I can see....... is body type. Possibly.
No doubt there are specialists and any dog will be better at one or the other. But the way that I see it, time in the field ...WELL is time in the field.....its a good thing!!!
 
I want to jump some ducks sometime on the river going by my cousin's farm. I wonder if my Brittany will jump in the water after the duck. He does like water. Can't be too cold because I keep him thin so he can go on upland all day long.
 
Absolutely they can do both, and very well too. They just need to be hunted. More various types of field time = a more well rounded dog.
 
david0311

Toad said:
Okay, nobody freak out on me please...:eek:

I have not personally seen a dog that was outstanding at both, but I'm sure half the guys on this forum have a lab that is the best at both.:rolleyes: (Just a little ribbing, don't lynch me...)

Seems like a really great upland retriever is a serviceable duck dog, and a really great duck dog is a serviceable upland dog. But I have not PERSONALLY seen a dog that is remarkably good at both. But to be fair, all of the lab owners I know hunt one or the other primarily, so their dogs are way more experienced at one or the other.

With the right combination of dog, owner, training, and experience, I'm sure anything is possible. But I would say just about any duck dog is capable of upland hunting (and vice versa) and doing an acceptable job of it.
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Nope no lynching here---I have 3 and 5 year old YLF's--hunt both upland waterfowl, and I field trial both--(against recommendations of some field trial people) (others with FC /AFC dogs hunt both as well)

I believe they do both very well (but of course they are my dogs and that is my opinion) they--the dogs that is seem to agree with me as they lay here on the couch next to me, but have heard it as well from people who have hunted with me--


both have placements in trials-- the 5 year old in the AA stakes and the 3 year placed in her first qual, at 2 years old and will be running AA,----after the pheasant season--

I just have to be careful to keep up their standards while hunting--(though it is their time to have fun as well as mine)

Your point and question is well taken--have have heard opinions on both sides of this question--some very strong--as stated by others though --I believe it all depends on the dog and the training, and this is just my opinion and what I do, so from others I would request no lynching as well:D:D:cheers::cheers:
 
I hunt more upland than waterfowl, but the Pudelpointer and MOST of the versitile breeds do well on waterfowl. I shot a pile of ducks two years ago when we had a lot of water and ducks and every one was retrieved by my dogs, some from some pretty thick s**t. The Puds generally do not mark as well as a Lab or Chessie, but I had one that did. Slugger was as intense at looking at the sky for birds as any dog I've owned or sat with in a blind and could smell a duck under water. Wirehairs, Griffons Munsterlanders and even many a shorthair are adequate or better in the waterfowl area.
 
BritChaser said:
I want to jump some ducks sometime on the river going by my cousin's farm. I wonder if my Brittany will jump in the water after the duck. He does like water. Can't be too cold because I keep him thin so he can go on upland all day long.
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If it was me, I would try jumping a pond first. You wouldn't have the threat of your ducks floating away if your dog is slow on figuring out the gameplan. Worst case scenario you would just have to wait until they blow to shore.:eek: It would also give you a better idea of what you can expect from your dog if you ever do shoot some ducks off the river.

With Daisy, my 5yo GWP, I am confident shooting ducks over a river if it is slow and mild temp. With Junie, the 1 1/2yo brit, I am almost certain it would be a lost duck, and she LOVES to swim as much as she loves to run. But I'm planning to try her jumping a pond or two and maybe she'll surprise me.
 
Heck no, I have high expectations for my boys no matter what the game.
 
My dog can do anything matter a fact he drove me to work this morning and he's typing what I m telling him now. Not real sure what kind of dogs you fellas have but man mine must be a genious!! :cheers:
 
toad no disrespect intended but don't do something foolish like using your britt for waterfowl when the temps get to low they aren't the best and those pretty feathers catch alo of ice
 
Gove County Britts said:
toad no disrespect intended but don't do something foolish like using your britt for waterfowl when the temps get to low they aren't the best and those pretty feathers catch alo of ice
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None taken. And just for your peace of mind, you can rest assured that I would never put that little stinker in harm's way. Neither of my current dogs is cut out for icy water retrieves.
 
jsdriggs said:
Get your Brit a neoprene vest for water retrieves. My lab wears one always ( I only hunt ducks from late November till mid January). I swear she swims all she wants and her fur is dry under the vest. They really work.

I have had to cuddle up with her though on -10 days when we had some wind. Cuts down on her shivering.
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I might consider adding a lab or other retriever breed to our home when my wife's dog (see avatar) passes on. But maybe not, I don't know...:confused:

I have a vest for daisy, but I still don't go crazy with the temps or duration of the hunt. For one thing, she hates sitting still!

For now I think I'll just accept late-season invites from others, and compliment their dogs for doing what mine can't or shouldn't do. :cheers:
 
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