so i was thinking. my one dog seems bored out of his freaking mind lately, and he needs a "friend" so i was thinking about getting another lab. now i know they might not be the best for flushing birds, but i was thinking if i could train it to get down ducks, would it pick up the pheasant fetching concept. anyone have prior experience about this?
lab as a bird dog.
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ditchparrot19
Member
GSPs are Brittanys are pointing breeds, and most owners don't want them to get the concept of flushing unless (perhaps) it can be done entirely on the handler's command. Their job is to stand there like a statue.
I own both pointing and flushing dogs, and for the flushing, I use a Lab. I paid $250 for my Lab in 2001. He's been worth that at least 100 times over and, God willing, I'm really hoping he's got at least one more season in him.
ditchparrot19
Member
Just one note of caution: If you're going to get a Lab to hunt birds with, it'd be wise to do some homework and get one from a litter out of parents with that background. I've seen more than one Lab from backyard breedings that had absolutely no interest in birds.
You might have a tough time getting one like that for $350, but you never know. Lord knows I got an absolute steal on mine back in '01.
You might have a tough time getting one like that for $350, but you never know. Lord knows I got an absolute steal on mine back in '01.
You can get springer, pointer, GSP, who have no interest in hunting, or just plain morons who are more trouble than their worth. I suspect Labs are a better quanity risk than most others. As far as "show" type labs, which is what you are "backyard" dogs, a lot of show people are making a the breed return to it's working heritage. A lot don't know a lot of outdoor lore, or hunt but are commited to the benefit of the dog. I would not rule them out. I have the second of this heritage, my duck club buddies wonder what kinda dog he is? while running around attempting to control the snipey nosed, greyhound-est, hyper, "field" dogs, who had a FCH about 6 generations ago, and live in permanantly in a kennel in the off season, because you can't stand them fussing around, and you wife likes the couch.
ditchparrot19
Member
Backyard breedings aren't necessarily from "show types" – sometimes they're whatever people happen to have around and think they can make a quick buck off of by producing a litter.
Everybody has to make their own decision, but I would absolutely rule out show dogs without seeing the parents perform in the field. I've seen quite a few show-breds at hunt tests, where the owners were desperate to put a measly "junior hunter" title on them for breeding purposes, and it wasn't a pretty sight. Some of those dogs flat-out did not want to hunt.
There's no guarantee when buying a puppy of any breed, but your odds go way up if you do some homework and select the right litter.
If I were you I think $500.00 dollars is a bargain! Most of the Labs with perforrmance/show heritage are $750-1500. A real small investment for a life time companion, and miniscule for what it costs to maintain one. Might look at vet care, food, training. As far as a the britt goes, I've sure it spent it's life in a kennel had no training, and got taken to the field, mysteriously transformed into a hunter. If the dog had any experience, the hunters knows what he has before the hunting season. Most hunting breed dogs that fail, are the fault of the trainer, cost is relative as apposed to effort and training. After all "they are puppies, for goods sake", disposable, with no consideration than that. I guess I am looking for more commitment. i will rule you out, at any price. Other dog breeders can chime it.
I would agree with the sentiment. the pedigree is a sampler off the genetic make up, physically, and ability wise. I believe a hunting companion, needs to be a year long companion, not a parolee on weekends in the fall. After all, I live with it all year, while I hunt 60-75 days a year. So compatibility is rule one. Took me 8 years between labs, to find the tempermament, conformation, nose, hunting instinct. I get frustrated by dog I have to brush bust cover for, or trip over. This dog is a better upland hunter than a duck dog, gets bored if there isn't action, rather go search one up. I did not question your statement, but I did want clarify 'backyard" breeding, because the original poster does not see real issue. Original purchase price is nothing, I am sure with dillegence a pup can be had reasonably priced. but the cost, could include health issues, dysplasia, elbow deformity, retinal degeration, skin allergy, Cardio-myopathy. Not to mention a dog who's not a good candidate as a hunter or a companion dog. If you have not seen "show breed dogs perform in the field than you are exposed to some sorry examples. There out there, I have not witnessed California hunt tests, I will admit there is an effort to get "started" dogs, and in my opinion "started" dog is a something any dog should do as a pup! In fact a "started" dog which went no further, is a suspect on the papers. It means it's not gunshy, ( sort of), and at least attempts a retrieve. I would flunk dogs who's enthusiasm was suspect, but thats just me. The wonder of the Lab, you can get the ones who are hunting machines, and when that's over, they go home, ride in the car to the grocery store, don't bolt the door to make havoc in the neighborhood, play in the snow with the kids, sleep on the couch, but are ready when you get up and get your gun case to beat anyone to the car. That kind is worth, in my opinion a lot!
mustistuff
Banned
lab puppies
labs, by and large are flushing dogs and they come in two types, show dogs and hunting dogs. go with the best, you just might be stuck owning the mutt for 12 or 13 years, figure the cost over that period of time and the best is pretty cheap. buying a puppy is a pig in the poke type of deal so go with the high percentage dog meaning mom and dog hunted, like really hunted not just rumors that they did and make sure that the hips have been certified, that's a big deal especially with labs. never owned a lab that would not swim, hunt as a flusher and would carry anything any time, seems to be first nature for them. if you want a colored one you will pay more and actually get less in the deal, beware. for a week-end hunter that like to shoot a duck once in awhile and maybe a pheasant or two, labs can be a good choice, caution, don't let them get fat and out shape or they will after a few minutes in the field, walk at heel or even worse, behind you, good luck to ya
labs, by and large are flushing dogs and they come in two types, show dogs and hunting dogs. go with the best, you just might be stuck owning the mutt for 12 or 13 years, figure the cost over that period of time and the best is pretty cheap. buying a puppy is a pig in the poke type of deal so go with the high percentage dog meaning mom and dog hunted, like really hunted not just rumors that they did and make sure that the hips have been certified, that's a big deal especially with labs. never owned a lab that would not swim, hunt as a flusher and would carry anything any time, seems to be first nature for them. if you want a colored one you will pay more and actually get less in the deal, beware. for a week-end hunter that like to shoot a duck once in awhile and maybe a pheasant or two, labs can be a good choice, caution, don't let them get fat and out shape or they will after a few minutes in the field, walk at heel or even worse, behind you, good luck to ya
12gaugedust
New member
Personally i have a brittany and i wouldnt trade my dog for anything. He does what i ask him to do, so if your hunting ducks he will retrieve from the water. And then if you want to go hunt pheasants he hunts pheasants. I would get a pointer if i was you
carptom1
Well-known member
Most people that sell dogs in the 250-500 range are backyard breeders trying to make a buck off off of their lab that they think is a good hunter. Most of these dogs have not been bred to have good hips eyes and etc. These types drive me crazy as a longtime lab owner. That being said simply price will not gaurantee you a good dog. My buddy paid 2k to this high dollar breeding of a couple of goldens from wyoming. After much training two years later his dog sucks. As O&N stated, the training is what makes the dog. I would not go into a dog purchase operating solely on price. A 250.00 dog is a waste if you have him for ten years and he just never gets it. 1000.00 is well spent if he turns out to be a great dog. Do your homework. See the parents. Look at multiple dogs.
Ps. I have seen many pointers, britts, gsp's etc that were not worth a crap either. Plenty of guys breeding crappy dogs in all breeds.
Me too
I got my boy from the american brittany rescue. The only reason he was there was because he was a very well breed 11 mo old britt and the people that owned him thought he was going to always be a sweat cute little puppy. He completely terrorized there peacfully little home. I brought him home and put him in the back yard with my other britt and they run and play with each other all day and burn off that energy. I am not a fan of getting a pup. You have to house train them and deal with having your favorite chair chewed up. No matter what breed you choose, you can find a great dog at a rescue. You just have to take your time and wait for the right one. The brittany foster I worked with, knew I wanted a hunting dog and looked into the breeders for me. On both dogs, she called me, told me about their breeding when she saw they could have potential. I made the mistake of getting in a hurry on my first britt and he's not going to make a bird dog. He was 4.5 yrs old and had some issues that I thought I could overcome with some work. Didn't happen. He's a great pet and just what my young dog needed, but take your time and wait for that 9 to 18 mo old dog that's at the rescue because someone moved or they didn't reallize that hunting breeds need exercise. My young dog is now 2.5 yrs old and is working out great. I only hunt upland birds with him. He will hold a point if the bird holds, but I haven't had one hold yet this year. Good luck on a dog.
I got my boy from the american brittany rescue. The only reason he was there was because he was a very well breed 11 mo old britt and the people that owned him thought he was going to always be a sweat cute little puppy. He completely terrorized there peacfully little home. I brought him home and put him in the back yard with my other britt and they run and play with each other all day and burn off that energy. I am not a fan of getting a pup. You have to house train them and deal with having your favorite chair chewed up. No matter what breed you choose, you can find a great dog at a rescue. You just have to take your time and wait for the right one. The brittany foster I worked with, knew I wanted a hunting dog and looked into the breeders for me. On both dogs, she called me, told me about their breeding when she saw they could have potential. I made the mistake of getting in a hurry on my first britt and he's not going to make a bird dog. He was 4.5 yrs old and had some issues that I thought I could overcome with some work. Didn't happen. He's a great pet and just what my young dog needed, but take your time and wait for that 9 to 18 mo old dog that's at the rescue because someone moved or they didn't reallize that hunting breeds need exercise. My young dog is now 2.5 yrs old and is working out great. I only hunt upland birds with him. He will hold a point if the bird holds, but I haven't had one hold yet this year. Good luck on a dog.
blabs
Member
I too had to read your post twice about labs not being flushers not sure where you are coming from on this one. Here is my story, bought my first lab out of the newspaper for 150. She was great! Good drive, good nose, great temperament overall just a great dog. She is now 8 and retired from the field 2 years now, she has elbow dysplasia. Second dog, I did some research, found a great breeder spent 1000, she is 2.5 years old now. She has tons of drive, retrieves, flushes, and just works a field well. I just got her OFA certified. I think in many cases with dogs you get what you pay for. Be carful and choose wisely. What is spent up front is the cheap part, taking care of health problems is what cost us. Another thing puppies grow into dogs, the effort that goes into training the puppy will determine how the does in the field.
mustistuff
Banned
flushing labs
not sure who did the post on labs not being flushing dogs, they do that and the one's that are not too fat to hunt, do it pretty well, as far as cost go, vets charge the same for cheap or expensive dogs and they all eat the same amount. it all comes out to less over a years time than the beer you are drinking. one thing i have learned after 50 plus years of bird dogs is that you can read them only so many books and then you have to take them out and use them, the better one's will pretty much train themselves in spite of all our ignorance
not sure who did the post on labs not being flushing dogs, they do that and the one's that are not too fat to hunt, do it pretty well, as far as cost go, vets charge the same for cheap or expensive dogs and they all eat the same amount. it all comes out to less over a years time than the beer you are drinking. one thing i have learned after 50 plus years of bird dogs is that you can read them only so many books and then you have to take them out and use them, the better one's will pretty much train themselves in spite of all our ignorance
quail hound
Moderator
I'm believe whoever started this thread is messing with some folks
Either way it's very entertaining.
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