Best Choice For Me

Hi,

I am brand new to this forum and this is my first post as well as my reasoning for registering for this forum....

I am looking for a good hunting dog and I have been trying to do as much research as possible but I'm sick of reading only about how great every breed is. It is not helpful in my decision at all, and nothing beats first hand knowledge.

The game that I primarily hunt is duck, geese, and deer. My main focus is finding a dog that will retrieve the birds as well as track a downed deer. I also hunt ruffed grouse quite a bit but I have never needed a dog to be successful so this capability is not a requirement but would be nice.

I have been told over and over again that the Black Lab is my best bet for this type of hunting but I also hear time and time again that the Black Lab is not a very intelligent breed. I am sorry if that offends anybody here, its just what I have heard many times.

Another thing to consider (maybe) is that this will be my first hunting dog. Not first dog ever, but first hunting dog. I have been told that there are some breeds that are not good for a first dog, and I'm assuming that is based off of lack of experience which I personally feel does not hold as much weight for a person like me who is more than willing to train the dog daily.

Anyways before I ramble anymore, I hope thats enough information to give you an idea about my situation and what I am looking for. Any advise is greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Sandro

Pretty sure if you went to a retriever hunt test you would change your mind about them being stupid dogs.

Ya labs are dumb.

Except for the labs that......
Work at the border and airports finding drugs,guns and all sorts of crap that is being smuggled.
Are working dogs helping disabled humans live a better life.
The thousands of top level retrievers winning countless titles.
The lab I own. She is smarter than a lot of humans that I know.

I think you need to get a shih zu. Now that is a smart dog.....

Welcome to the forum.
Best put on your hard hat and bullet proof vest as comments from an inexperienced dog owner rile some up here unfortunately.
We were all newbies once. :) I remember in an early on dog trial when the judge said "Pick up your dog", I thought I had to carry him all the way back to the car. :silly:

Have a look at this thread as it is a similar question and gives a lot of good advice.

http://www.oodmag.com/community/show...ucks-and-geese

And don't forget as guide dogs. Truly feel for those who rely on dumb labs as their eyes. :)

In truth, I'm not sure if I've ever owned a dumb dog, but have known many dumb owners who blame their dog (what ever breed) for their poor/lack of training, or poor/lack of understanding their behavior.

Cut some slack. Sandro identified himself as a person new to hunting breeds. He's asking for some help.
I'd provide some assistance, however I don't have the experience and knowledge many on this site do.

The Lab would be the logical choice for ducks & Geese. When you throw blood trailing deer in then you are probably best served with a versatile breed with that in the bloodline. The NAVHDA groups would also help you in training specifically for that.

Quote:

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I have been told over and over again that the Black Lab is my best bet for this type of hunting but I also hear time and time again that the Black Lab is not a very intelligent breed.

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Worded differently.
I keep getting conflicting advice regarding labs. Some say they are what I'm looking for, some say they are "dumb". Don't know what to believe.

Maybe just me, but I don't see how giving examples of that breed commonly wins trials, or serves as sniffer/guide dogs, etc that disproves what others are saying to him, is giving him a hard time.

Would it be better to rave about labs, or X? Maybe, but he's already heard that a lot. Perhaps illustrating by way of example how labs aren't "dumb" contrary to what hes been told is...Assisting? And not all giving him a hard time?

I trained my black lab to track deer blood, he came from an 'obedience' line bred to be guide dogs and never made the cut. He tracked the blood trails better than my bloodhound which has a tracking title, so they can do it.

Hi again!

Glad to see that some of you out there are willing to help! Others that can't read and understand the English language, I forgive for getting upset at what they thought was my opinion of the breed. Perhaps I can hand out names of those with the negative opinion of the Lab and you guys can try insulting their knowledge.

Anyways, that's really not what I came here for. "Marker" is really the only one that stayed on topic...Im glad to know that the possibility for a great blood tracker in a Lab is out there. As for all of the things Labs can do outside of hunting purposes, im not interested.

So more to the point, I wasn't asking for Lab opinions. From all of my criteria, im looking for someone to guide me towards the best breed for me whether or not that is a Lab. I look forward to hearing your MEANINGFUL responses! :)

A lab is your best option. Who ever told you labs aren't smart must be pretty dumb themselves. Go watch a retriever trial or hunt test. Labs do things that quite simply, no other breed can at the same level... Take it from me... I'm not even a lab guy. There is a big difference between a well bred hunting lab and the neighbor's rock eater next door.

Thank you for your response Cass, I really appreciate it. It's funny you say rock eater because that is one of the comments I hear quite frequently. I guess I will just have to do some serious research into the breeders.

I am not in any way disregarding your opinion, but for the sake of doing my homework, are there any other breeds you think would be well suited for me? I'd like to have at least one more option because this of course will also be a family pet and I'd like my wife to at least have SOME choice in the matter lol.

Everyone has an opinion. My advice is meet as many breeds as you can. Every dog is wired just a little different. We pick up a Italian Spinone on this Sat. I am sure it will hunt but either way we will love the hell out of it.