Looking for a Lab

[Bay Ducks]

Good day all,

We lost our family companion and my hunting buddy last fall. She was a great black lab. Time has passed and we are looking to home a new pup.

Hoping to to find a healthy, registered, tall, lean and athletic lab from hunting stock. It's my first foray into researching breeders in 13 years and people have been very friendly and helpful but we haven't found a pup yet.

The dog is going to a family, fenced yard, lots of training but not HT, FT, lots of hunting in the fall.

If anyone knows of any upcoming litters, please post or PM us. Not rushing this purchase, but ready to go when we find a good match.

Cheers,
Mike

[Bluebulldog]

Coopers Lane just North of you breeds some very good dogs. Might want to check in with them.

[Bay Ducks]

Thank much.

We have friends (non hunters) who have homed two pups from them, one a couple of months ago. Good breeders, great dogs, nice people, they have been very happy with them.

Seems like they are more 'English style' in physical appearance though. Nothing against that, but we are looking for a taller, lean lab, more 'American style' in appearance.

Cheers.

[yellow dog]

I am sure a couple of people on this forum could help you with finding the American working Lab locally.They may have already sent you a PM.

[Sharon]

WElcome to the forum. Suggest you have a look at ( Google), Canadian Hunting Dogs Forum ; lots of good breeders there.

[Bay Ducks]

Thanks guys. I am (newly) on Canadian Hunting Dogs Forum also. Lots of good stuff there. Nothing firm yet, but maybe some litters late in the spring.

[Bluebulldog]

Thank much.

We have friends (non hunters) who have homed two pups from them, one a couple of months ago. Good breeders, great dogs, nice people, they have been very happy with them.

Seems like they are more 'English style' in physical appearance though. Nothing against that, but we are looking for a taller, lean lab, more 'American style' in appearance.

Cheers.

No worries pal.

My friend has a couple from them. They are definitely English Labs. Not my taste either. My little black girl is an American. Leaner build.

I'll keep my eyes open.

[krakadawn]

A few thoughts for you:
Health-things have changed since your last dog, good breeders test not only hips/eyes/elbows but also heart, Exercise Induced Collapse(EIC) and Central neuro myopathy(CNM). If parents are certified clear you are good to go or be sure to see pups are tested.

By your description you are looking for what 'generally' would be described as a NA lab. Many people think 'English' lab as one being heavy headed and heavy body-not necessarily so as some of their field dogs are very similar to our NA labs.

I'd suggest you seek out a pup from solid field trial breeding for several reasons. Firstly almost all FT breedings are in line for the health clearances you require. Secondly, the gene pool from them will almost gurantee you the type of dog you want. Even though at this point HT/FT are not in the cards, you definitely want an intelligent dog, workable dog. You want an intelligent animal for many reasons and this is the best way to approach things. FT'ers breed for keen eyes for marking, inner drive to 'go', sagacity, memory, intelligence as well as solid health clearances. They are that deliberate.

Look for some titles in FRONT of the dogs name. This is not to brag about the pups parentage but a confirmation of abilities earned in competition and in all likely hood passed on to your pup. This is a far better measure then someone telling you how many ducks ole 'Moe" retrieved last year. In fact if you visit the NRCC web site or Retriever Results you can peruse an individual dogs accomplishments.

I see you said 'black', good choice as blk dogs still lead in performance followed by yellow dogs.

Remember, the price you pay for your pup is small considering the time you'll have him(her).

As well as the CHD forum, the RTF forum will give you a broader section of available dogs and don't worry about bringing them in from the USA as that's straight forward.

Good luck.

[Dakota Creek]

[QUOTE=krakadawn;1019241]Look for some titles in FRONT of the dogs name. /QUOTE]

To be a bit more specific with that title out front .... what krakadawn suggests is titles like FTCH or AFTCH (CKC field trial titles), FC or AFC (AKC field trial titles), GRHRCH or HRCH (HRC titles), GMHRCH or GMHR (NAHRA titles) These are all performance titles for the dogs work in the field as are MH (CKC or AKC) behind the dog's name. A "CH" in front of a dog's name is a title earned in the show ring and has zero field work involved.

[Bay Ducks]

Krakadawn, Dakota Creek,

Thanks much for the contributions.

I am 100% on board with everything you posted. Definitely see the value with dogs from HT, FT lines even if we will not compete. That is where we are primarily looking.

We don't intend to 'cheap out', or rush. God willing, this is another 13 year companion and responsibility. We are sort of transitioning from the 'gathering information' and 'getting educated' stage to actively looking. One definite option is to wait until fall and see what happens at Dakota Creek.

You are also correct, we are not hooked on 'American' vs. 'English', but I'm using 'American' as short-hand for athletic, tall and lean.

Cheers,
Mike