HUNTING WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND
There are few things in life that afford you amazing relationships. Outside of my human friends and family, the relationship I have with my dog is very special. I can think of nothing better than hunting with my best friend.
Dogs have been an important aspect of my life. Their companionship flowing in and out of my years like an ocean tide. I have always been partial to Labrador Retrievers and can’t imagine any other “hunting buddy”.
LABRADOR RETRIEVER HISTORY
The Labrador gets its name from the Labrador region of Canada. It was introduced by merchant ships trading between the Labrador region of Canada and Poole in Dorsetshire, England. The breed’s roots started somewhere around the 1830s and were easily confused with the Newfoundland breed.
By See above – Photograph obtained from http://www.uplabradors.com as described below. Animal pictured died within 10-15 years of 1885, allowing the photograph to be positively dated at over 100 years old and hence in the public domain. (As a photograph of this specific dog, it is also not possible to source a different version in discussing Labrador history.), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2834331
The picture above was the first Labrador ever photographed. This Labrador Retriever was nicknamed “Nell” but her formal name was “Buccleuch Avon”. Many Dukes, Sirs, and Earls owned this breed, and by 1870 was a common breed in England.
LABRADOR PERSONALITY AND USEFULNESS
What I enjoy about Labs is their pleasant, kind, and outgoing personality. They are very friendly with children, and wouldn’t be considered a “barky” dog and very relaxed around strangers. Outside of being great family dogs and hunters, Labs make excellent service dogs.
All my labs have been determined, hunters. They have a great nose and remain dedicated to finding their quarry. Whether you are hunting pheasant, ducks, or deer sheds, nothing is more dependable than a Lab.
TAKE YOUR TIME
Finding a good Lab may take a little time. You can start your search by contacting hunting friends for good suggestions on an experienced breeder with proven, sound bloodlines. Once you have a list of a few suggestions, if possible visit their website and then make a phone call and ask to visit their kennel and meet the dam and sire.
Before you leave on your visit, grab a friend to be additional eyes and ears. Keep the following thoughts in mind:
- As you drive up to the kennel, note the cleanliness of the property.
- Take note of where the dogs are kept. Are they in the house with the owner? In a nice clean and kept kennel? Or some dingy back shed?
- What is the breeder’s interaction with the dogs? Are they part of the family? Or just seen as money makers and not paid a whole lot of attention?
- Does the breeder provide you with testimonials? – People who you can call to get their opinions on the quality of the puppy they received and what they use their dog for. Have they had any trouble with elbows, hips, eyes, or allergies? How trainable was their pup?
- Don’t get all caught up in fancy bloodlines and titles. You want a Lab that is going to be a good companion and hunt well. AKC papers or title do not make a dog trainable.
- A few questions to ask about the bitch (female) and stud (male) would be: temperament, intelligence, retrieving desire, love of water, good nose, and a soft mouth.
- Be sure to inquire about veterinary care for vaccines and worming.
PUPPYHOOD AND BEYOND
Once you have finished your visits you’ll need to choose a breeder. Your choice reflects your personal needs based on your lifestyle as well as your hunting.
Visiting the breeder should be allowed at 6 weeks of age. This will give you a chance to see the pups interact with one another as well as people. It also gives you a chance to assess their health. Look for bright clear eyes, a clean nose, and active with a bright expression.
Watch the puppies interacting. Keep your eye on the pup or puppies who look engaged. A puppy who cowers or withdraws is undesirable. Test their retrieving abilities by tossing a small twig into the group. See who is willing to go investigate and pick up the twig. Call to the pup, see if it will come to you.
Once you’ve decided on a pup, pick up the pup and look him over. You should make sure that the puppy has good conformation, dew claws removed, has ears clean, and no deformities.
Most breeders have their own system for tagging your selected pup. Many place a colored collar around your puppies’ neck with your name. A deposit will be required to hold your puppy and the balance due upon picking them up
Breeders like to see their puppies go “home” when they are eight weeks old. This is a good time for the puppy to leave the litter and begin their imprinting on you and your family.
NOW THE FUN BEGINS
Training your puppy will be fun and rewarding. There are many great training resources for you to check out. Here are just a few:
- https://www.amazon.com/Tom-Dokkens-Retriever-Training-Developing/dp/089689858X
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbrlM_QbDpY
- https://www.labradortraininghq.com/category/labrador-training/
- https://www.cesarsway.com/potty-training-a-puppy/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vOXWCewEYM
Enjoy the time you have with your dog. They live on average between 10 to 14 years. They bring such life into a family and the memories of you working together hunting will last a lifetime.
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