saskhunter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Sask to B.C.
Does anybody know any lab breeders in sask or eastern alta. I am in P.A. and am looking for at least one but most likely 2 black labs. Thanks Trent
Dog's
- Thread starter Win/64
- Start date
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
Picking a dog breed is about as personal as choosing a wife/hunting partner/brand of truck ... each to their own.
Nothing wrong with Springers, GSP's, Labs, Pointers, Setters or Brittanys and a host of other breeds suitable for the Uplands.
I've owned Labs, Chessies and GSP's. Although I like Pointers, Springers & Britts, my next will likely be a "Ryman strain" English Setter or a Gordon from proven field stock.
But your choice is your choice ... nominally, your hunting companion for the next 10-12 years. Choose wisely !
Nothing wrong with Springers, GSP's, Labs, Pointers, Setters or Brittanys and a host of other breeds suitable for the Uplands.
I've owned Labs, Chessies and GSP's. Although I like Pointers, Springers & Britts, my next will likely be a "Ryman strain" English Setter or a Gordon from proven field stock.
But your choice is your choice ... nominally, your hunting companion for the next 10-12 years. Choose wisely !
I have had 3 labs and they are excellent upland dogs, The last one I had was the best of the bunch, he would go in to the roughest terrain and push the birds out. He would put many dogs to shame, great retreiver as well, they are a flushing dog so you have to train them to hold pretty tight. The last one would handle pheasants that would drive many dogs mad, unfortunately I had to put him down after 15 years of hard work on his part. I am now getting a wirehaired griffon , I have hunted with them and have a very similar temperment to labs, another flusher who you want to hold tight, very hardy as well. whatever dog you get, you need to spend lots of time training to be a solid performer in the field. A lot of patience is necessary as well. Labs can be a very hard headed dog which require a firm attitude. They also hit their peak between 5 to 10 yrs of age. I have had brittanys as well mostly with my dad, who really loved them. They are a great upland do who will retrive waterfowl. They tend to be a more sensitive dog that require a more delicate touch in training. If you have young kids lab or griffon may be the wy to go as they can handle the poking and prodding that kids dish out, with out getting wound up. The springs I have known were not that good a dog around kids, but were great hunting dogs
saskhunter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Sask to B.C.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I don't begrudge anyone promoting their favourite breed but a little objectivity please...
If a hunter is asking about a dog that will be mainly used for various upland birds and some waterfowl, why promote specialist dogs such as Labrador retrievers or Springer spaniels? I have to believe that the promoters just don't have experience with true versatile breeds. A pointing dog is best for hunting most upland birds species with the possible exception of pheasant, where both Labs and Springers shine. A pointer holds the birds for the hunter to shoot when ready, a much more satisfying and productive way to hunt most upland birds than rushing around after a flushing dog and taking the wild shots offered. There are a variety of excellent European Versatile breeds - dogs that are bred to point upland birds, retrieve on land and water, and track both furred and feathered game. A short list includes the Vizlas and German Shorthair Pointers already mentioned but also include the Large & Small Munsterlanders, German Wirehair Pointer, Weimaraner, Pudelpointer, Brittany Spaniel, Spinone, and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. There are more, but all the versatile breeds are far superior for hunting species like grouse to any flushing dog. The flushers are certainly not much help while hunting for wary open country species like Hungarian Partridge and Sharptail.
If all you hunt in the upland is Pheasant, by all means get a flushing dog and hunt 'em close. Pointers often have some trouble holding pheasants for a classic flush and shot. For that reason, a Lab or springer is very good pheasant dog. They are also both good for ducks, the Lab of course exels at waterfowl work. But the versatile breeds are named that for a reason. Check out the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association ( NAVHDA). They may even have a chapter in your area. They specialize in standardized hunting tests for real, working dogs. Reputable breeders of NAVHDA dogs use the test scores to improve the breed, and the published, standardized test scores indicate the sire and dam's ability in the following areas: use of nose, stamina, pointing, steadiness to flush and shot, retrieve of shot bird, steadiness by blind, retrieve in water, search for duck in a marsh, tracking, cooperation, and willingness to work.
It's the best system I've found to evaluate potential breeds and breeders using real-world standardized tests. We have an active chapter in Saskatoon, I know there are others in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.
If a hunter is asking about a dog that will be mainly used for various upland birds and some waterfowl, why promote specialist dogs such as Labrador retrievers or Springer spaniels? I have to believe that the promoters just don't have experience with true versatile breeds. A pointing dog is best for hunting most upland birds species with the possible exception of pheasant, where both Labs and Springers shine. A pointer holds the birds for the hunter to shoot when ready, a much more satisfying and productive way to hunt most upland birds than rushing around after a flushing dog and taking the wild shots offered. There are a variety of excellent European Versatile breeds - dogs that are bred to point upland birds, retrieve on land and water, and track both furred and feathered game. A short list includes the Vizlas and German Shorthair Pointers already mentioned but also include the Large & Small Munsterlanders, German Wirehair Pointer, Weimaraner, Pudelpointer, Brittany Spaniel, Spinone, and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. There are more, but all the versatile breeds are far superior for hunting species like grouse to any flushing dog. The flushers are certainly not much help while hunting for wary open country species like Hungarian Partridge and Sharptail.
If all you hunt in the upland is Pheasant, by all means get a flushing dog and hunt 'em close. Pointers often have some trouble holding pheasants for a classic flush and shot. For that reason, a Lab or springer is very good pheasant dog. They are also both good for ducks, the Lab of course exels at waterfowl work. But the versatile breeds are named that for a reason. Check out the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association ( NAVHDA). They may even have a chapter in your area. They specialize in standardized hunting tests for real, working dogs. Reputable breeders of NAVHDA dogs use the test scores to improve the breed, and the published, standardized test scores indicate the sire and dam's ability in the following areas: use of nose, stamina, pointing, steadiness to flush and shot, retrieve of shot bird, steadiness by blind, retrieve in water, search for duck in a marsh, tracking, cooperation, and willingness to work.
It's the best system I've found to evaluate potential breeds and breeders using real-world standardized tests. We have an active chapter in Saskatoon, I know there are others in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
Contact a Field Trialer ... they're "in the loop" for whose breeding what ... and you can bet your bippy they're Field Dogs.
rustysdream
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I guess, it depends on where in Ontario. Try one of these breeders.
http://www.dogsincanada.com/Default.aspx?tabid=66&type=&breed=Retriever (Golden)&ad=IAMSGeneral
I shoot partridge & grouse over my Labs all the time, along with ducks and geese. As for being a family pet, I can't conceive of another breed better meeting that role. The Labrador Retriever has also been the most popular dog registered with the AKC/CKC for the last umpteen years. Not so pleased with the latter stat, since the popularity of the breed attracts so many arsehole puppy mill operators and know-nothing backyard breeders.
dog
let me start out with I only have a sit shu at 6 lbs, so this is only from a distant view point. I hunt over a # of dogs and have my favs. Labs for a loving family dog that smiles at the thought of any hunting, a chesepeke that would try to retrive a moose if u shot it in the water, assorted pointers & setters and spaniels. A very good friend and a lovely lady just pased on & she showed me a great upland dog that would get geese as well,a Welsh spaniel. He may be smaller and not up to a full day doing water hunting,but was always a hard hunter and happy to sit with u as a friend. A good dog is a great gift from GOD, injoy
let me start out with I only have a sit shu at 6 lbs, so this is only from a distant view point. I hunt over a # of dogs and have my favs. Labs for a loving family dog that smiles at the thought of any hunting, a chesepeke that would try to retrive a moose if u shot it in the water, assorted pointers & setters and spaniels. A very good friend and a lovely lady just pased on & she showed me a great upland dog that would get geese as well,a Welsh spaniel. He may be smaller and not up to a full day doing water hunting,but was always a hard hunter and happy to sit with u as a friend. A good dog is a great gift from GOD, injoy
