Anybody bird hunt with one of these. We are getting a puppy friday and I want to train it to bird hunt to. I saw a guy hunting with one on TV and it was working perfect. Just seeing if anybody hunts with one. Now my wife wants to get two so they have somebody to play with. one will be my bird dog and the other the family-kids dog.

And does anyone know of a good book for training a golden retriever for hunting.


Thanks.

I have personally handled and worked some, particularly I like the smaller bodied ones, but a bad one was few and far between. Never heard any thing bad about the breed, while back seems like the hips seemed to be a problem, but that was number of years ago, Have not heard anything bad since early 90's. Should make you a fine buddy and companion. You got any puppy program questions feel free to e-mail, or call. Thanks DaveJones Jonesy's Gun Dogs Berea, Kentucky 859-985-2918 aka......Jonesy

Any material for retrievers will work- Lardy, Smartwork, etc.Goldens tend to be a little softer, keep that in mind. Jackie Mertens' "Sound Beginnings" is an excellent resource for the basic training for the young dog. There is a huge difference between the show lines and the working lines, keep that in mind as well. They might as well be different breeds all together.

We have part-time ownership of a goldie. It came from Spokane, Wa. Her sibling's owner was a weather anchor person and often brought her on the news cast set. I personally haven't seen it because I'm located across state. Anyhow, her siblings are supposely good pheasant dogs but not this one. She does have a good nose and loves to retrieve but training her has always been like running into a brick wall. I've taken her out for pheasant and duck a few times but always stick real close for pheasant and wanders around for duck if not playing with the decoys. This was before the age of 3 though. At some time, they usually turn into completely different dogs. She is very lovable, friendly, smart, and eats like a horse.