Very interesting reading. I would like to know (not really) why I have seen on TV and in the field the folks with GSP, Spaniels and a couple other pointing breeds, say whoa repeated every time they get on a bird, I mean everytime. You folks that are fond of the pointing breed great, fantastic. But why agrue and try to discount someone when they say something? I think Spoulman said it.
Now there are pointing labs (like mine) and labs that point. The later is a trained dog to stop at the sent I agree he was trained to stop at the sent. the first one I mentioned does it natural, stops on there own, may or may not have their paw up ( I watched some pointing dogs being trained to put that paw up wonder why, thought it was natural) and may or maynot stop wagging that tail.
The first time I saw my Lab point 7 mo old (Note I bought him from a pointing lab breeder and didn't care if he pointed or not) I stood there for a minute trying to figure out what he was doing (yes first time seeing a Lab point) then it hit me he was pointing. that was an exciting day before, but after that watching him work was great, still the same today. No, I or anyone has ever trained him to point. he does in naturally. May not be as elegant as the pointing breeds out there, but he still points naturally. Best part is he is a Lab, I am a lab guy. he is a great family dog, water dog during waterfowl season, and upland dog, newspaper retriever if I let him. Some of you will disagree and that is fine, proof is in watching the dog or any dog work. I like to watch any dog breed work, and you can tell when the owner has put the time in to train the dog, any dog. they are sheer joy to watch.