my black lab is american lab.he weights around 80 pds.he is not best at grouse or pheasants or rabbits or turkeys.but he hunts them all and can handle cold.i have him out in feb at 10 above with no trouble at all.his feet are very strong.he can swim in any water cold/warm.will break thru ice and swim out .can walk thru swamp water.
his hair is no problem after hunting. i just use a beach towel to dry him.very little hair in house and no burrs on him after hunting.he will not back down from bear,
bobcat,fox,big housecats,coyotes.
he does not point,he flushes.he hunts within 20 yds all time, NO COLLAR to find him.he does not chase deer.he is looking for me all the time not me looking for him.
he is great at home,will catch a frisbee or ball.
so you can see there is more to hunting than just having best GROUSE breed.there is weather,how the dog hunts and stays with you, how they do in storms, wind, water, cold,heat, around gunshots,other dogs,people.
lab is very good dog for listening to you,they train easy, good at home,will give up their life for you .here is few pics of tobys brothers /sisters.notice they are american labs.hope this helps and pick dog that does all those things and not the best breed for hunting a certain game. take care.
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