Time for a new pup !

Gun dog magazine has an interesting article on the pointing lab from 2010. If a pointing lab is what you want then do your homework and make sure you see the parents work and point. Very good article.

There are lots of pointing lab enthusiasts out there. They are quite popular. Different strokes for different folks.

something I saved:

"I believe most any dog can be made to point. Notice what they've done with labs- the pointing lab. Pointing is a trait I believe comes from wild dogs a long time ago. It wasn't really pointing ,but rather stopping to avoid scaring off the prey they were after. Is it intensified with breeding? I believe it is. You'll notice that at some point in the training process , most if not all dog's will creep toward the bird. That, I believe is natural. Those that take their dog's hunting and learning on the job, Don't have dogs that just go out and point things for them from the start. What they do is only shoot birds the dog handles properly. Imagine turning a dog loose on poor flying game farm birds. The dog would learn in a short time it can catch most if not all of them. Consider what happens with flushing dog's. All probably hesitate at first. They've come across something they don't recognize. The idea is to get the dog pushing up the bird, easy smeezy, let the dog catch birds on the ground, who cares, they won't catch many wild birds ,but if those same dog's aren't allowed to catch birds, they learn to hesitate before going in. It's called blinking, a negative in flushing dogs. (Most blinker's are taught to blink. )

I think the trait's we see in dogs have always been there and are buried in there on all dogs. But through breeding, the traits we look for are brought out. Labs weren't pointing eog's until someone figured out they could be made to point depending on how they are trained. All the breeder's of them are doing is bringing out instincts that were already there and they attempt to intensify them."
quote DF

Pointing test for labs are similar to Working Certificate test in CKC it is a one time test. Then you get the title. So in the pedigree when you see 3 x GMP it just means the dog has passed 3 pointing tests.
Gord knows what be is looking for this is not his first rodeo. His dogs perform very well.

Chris

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sharon

something I saved:

"I believe most any dog can be made to point. Notice what they've done with labs- the pointing lab. Pointing is a trait I believe comes from wild dogs a long time ago. It wasn't really pointing ,but rather stopping to avoid scaring off the prey they were after. Is it intensified with breeding? I believe it is. You'll notice that at some point in the training process , most if not all dog's will creep toward the bird. That, I believe is natural. Those that take their dog's hunting and learning on the job, Don't have dogs that just go out and point things for them from the start. What they do is only shoot birds the dog handles properly. Imagine turning a dog loose on poor flying game farm birds. The dog would learn in a short time it can catch most if not all of them. Consider what happens with flushing dog's. All probably hesitate at first. They've come across something they don't recognize. The idea is to get the dog pushing up the bird, easy smeezy, let the dog catch birds on the ground, who cares, they won't catch many wild birds ,but if those same dog's aren't allowed to catch birds, they learn to hesitate before going in. It's called blinking, a negative in flushing dogs. (Most blinker's are taught to blink. )

I think the trait's we see in dogs have always been there and are buried in there on all dogs. But through breeding, the traits we look for are brought out. Labs weren't pointing eog's until someone figured out they could be made to point depending on how they are trained. All the breeder's of them are doing is bringing out instincts that were already there and they attempt to intensify them."
quote DF

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Well put. With spaniels (at least springers and cockers) in the UK it was traditionally thought that a dog that flash pointed (did a quick point before flushing) was an advantage and desirable. Here in NA that would be frowned upon greatly as we hold a "bold flush" in higher regard (ie. the dog almost snatching the bird out of the air). You can see pointing of some degree in every breed right before pouncing on a grasshopper or chasing a squirrel. Selective breeding is what enhances that trait.

I feel like this forum has been totally high jacked from its intent. I was just trying to help someone potentially find a new family member/hunting buddy/friend (a pup). I feel like this debate Is going to drag on for a long time and in this forum it shouldn't. Good luck with finding a pup. Cheers. brad

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Originally Posted by Whosinthebushes

I feel like this forum has been totally high jacked from its intent. I was just trying to help someone potentially find a new family member/hunting buddy/friend (a pup). I feel like this debate Is going to drag on for a long time and in this forum it shouldn't. Good luck with finding a pup. Cheers. brad

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LOL you have much to learn threads on ood dog forum never stay on course start one on gun intro or read the last picking a pup thread.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Whosinthebushes

I feel like this forum has been totally high jacked from its intent. I was just trying to help someone potentially find a new family member/hunting buddy/friend (a pup). I feel like this debate Is going to drag on for a long time and in this forum it shouldn't. Good luck with finding a pup. Cheers. brad

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You're right but he got good responses to his post and some PMs. It's a long winter and we are looking for something to talk about. If someone one wants they can take my post above and start a new thread with the quote. I can't because it's March break and the kids only give me so many minutes a day on the computer. :)

Wow if this thread ruffles your feathers you're in for quite a ride. This one hasn't even been negative.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sharon

You're right but he got good responses to his post and some PMs. It's a long winter and we are looking for something to talk about. If someone one wants they can take my post above and start a new thread with the quote. I can't because it's March break and the kids only give me so many minutes a day on the computer. :)

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Sure Sharon sounds good anyone want to start the thread based on Sharon's quote. Anyone ? Common someone start it after all we all can get along right :rolleyes: