How to Pick a Labrador Hunting Puppy

Labrador Retrievers, also known as bird dogs, pointer labs and gun dogs, are one of the most popular breeds among hunters. They are extremely agile, excellent swimmers in almost any weather condition, easily trained and love to chase and retrieve. Professional breeders who are also hunters go to great lengths to ensure that they breed healthy dogs that are easy to train.

Things You'll Need

  • List of reputable Labrador breeders
  • $800 to $1000 to spend on a puppy
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Instructions

  1. How to Select a Labrador Puppy for Hunting

    • 1

      A reputable breeder knows her dogs, has been watching the puppies develop for weeks and is a valuable resource when you are ready to choose a Labrador. Breeders carefully screen potential dog owners, will demand that you never resell the dog, but instead return the dog to them should you not want to keep it.

      Reliable breeders of bird dogs will have begun simple "come" and "sit" training. Young puppies will recognize these commands and be comfortable and happy around people. They may also have begun whistle training and retrieving. Ask the breeder to demonstrate the puppy's training skills and show you how to continue on your own.

      Puppies are impressionable, easy to train, and like to be touched and petted. If you see a puppy who exhibits a lack of training and resistance to handling, it's likely the puppy is not a future bird dog.

    • 2

      Expect to spend upwards of $1,000 on a well-bred puppy. Obviously if you are serious about hunting and about hunting dogs, such an expense will be an investment in a happy, healthy relationship. In the weeks and months the breeders have the puppies in their possession, they make a great effort to socialize the puppies, get them started retrieving bird wings, and introduce them to water. The goal is to sell dogs that can work with anyone and the result is well worth the money.

    • 3

      Ask to see a dog's pedigree: OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) certificate, CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) certificate, EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse) test results, and HD (Hip Dysplasia) screening results. EIC is a disease that causes temporary paralysis and collapse after strenous exercise. EIC can be debilitating and is painful to experience for both owners and dogs.

      Breeders who understand the importance of these tests and perform them are concerned for the welfare of the breed and do not skimp on their dogs' health care. EIC is a relatively new test, but a good breeder will be familiar with it and will not breed a dog that has tested positive. Many reputable breeders that run websites display these certificates on their site; this is a good indication that the breeder takes the dogs' health care seriously.