Potential new pup advice

[Dakota Creek]

I think it's basically impossible to find hunting golden.
GWP is a very very different dog.
As said you have to decide on a pointing vs flushing dog for upland, but depending on where you live you not going to get much action on grouse.
Flat coated retrievers are good hunting dogs (from the right lines). Obviously labs, just don't get a chocolate one, they're all nuts (sort off).
Try to go into the field with different dogs, that's a good advice. But remember, you will spend much more time with that dog NOT hunting, it's important how you like it overall and how it behaves etc. If you have any questions about Munsterlanders, feel free to PM.

Along with being in agreement with Burly Girl's comments about both Goldens and Chocolate labs being capable field dogs ..... I would like to know what field lines of flat-coated retrievers you speak of because THOSE are like finding chicken teeth!!!

[BurlyGirl]

69025676_1194191524124549_3090845310163877888_n.jpg

2019 Canadian National Master hunt, after a week straight of competition

And an up-and-come'r who is worth mentioning

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[BurlyGirl]

Along with being in agreement with Burly Girl's comments about both Goldens and Chocolate labs being capable field dogs ..... I would like to know what field lines of flat-coated retrievers you speak of because THOSE are like finding chicken teeth!!!

You know, there is that fella from British Columbia that judged the Master National and he bred flatties. However, the ones from hunting lines that will work absolutely are few and far between.

[Sharon]

Beautiful pictures of that dog River. Thanks.

[BurlyGirl]

Beautiful pictures of that dog River. Thanks.

She's a nice dog. I've judged her in Working Certificate Excellent and in Senior Hunter. I like me some muddy blonde girls

[sabmgb]

hard enough to get the mud out of my yellow lab, can't image a long hair retriever.

[js4fn]

Someone mention mud

[ninepointer]

Long story short, we had to put our family Golden down on Canada day, she was 14 and lived a great life.

I've been heavily into hunting over the last 6 years, and i wouldn't mind a solid field companion + home pup. Have a small fenced in yard and live with my GF. We lead a fairly active life style (above average) and aren't afraid to up our game (within reason) to keep a pup happy.

Hunting wise, due to my job i'm restricted to weekend warrior status but i usually hit it hard 4-6hrs on sat/sun. Hunting with the pup would mostly be waterfowl and grouse. Not looking to win any field competitions but willing to put in the effort to train it to suit my needs.

Our family had 2 goldens growing up so it's hard to get away from them knowing how sweet they are (1st one came from a hunting line, last one was one and done with fetch) but am looking for any and all advice seeing as this will be the first dog i hunt with.

Right now my obvious choices are Golden or Lab but i'm very intrigued by GWPs and have read good things thus far.

Sorry about your Golden, Park. We lost our lab around the same time. We initially thought we would surely be getting another lab, but our journey has been winding and has taken us toward a setter. Given the types of hunting you've described, as well as your lifestyle, there might just be a lab in your future. Waterfowl is obvious, but a close working lab makes a fine grouse dog. There is so much in this video that I can relate to with my last dog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLaWDy4y8CE.

Speaking from experience, be prepared to raise your budget. Hunting dogs in general cost $500-$1000 more than they did a year ago, and popular breeds like labs seem to have been affected the most in the current market. Take your time, ask lots of questions, and be absolutely sure that the sire, dam and their owners actually hunt (as opposed to dogs said to have hunting or FT somewhere in their past lineage). If at all possible, meet the sire and dam and their owners. You'll learn more in a 30 minute meeting than you ever will over texts and phone calls. You're going to get lots of advice from all kinds of sources, and some of it will be confusing or even contradictory. However, at some point you'll find that your thoughts will keep going back to a particular breed and ultimately back to a particular breeder. Go with your gut. Good luck and enjoy the adventure!

[Deer Hunter]

Someone mention mud

Mud you say…..05C6937C-AAD9-4041-9359-EA2EB2D577C9.jpg

[finsfurfeathers]

Yup everybody knows happiness is a muddy dog
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2kHQqH2]