Flushing on Command : Lots of Pointer folks will tell you that NO Pointer (regardless of breed) should ever be allowed to Flush. It's a delicate balance. For those of us that DO allow our dogs to OCCASSIONALY make a Flush, it should only be well after the dog is 100% (or 110%) solid on point (NEVER-EVER breaks). This probably won't be until well into the 2nd year of hunting. Allowing a dog to make the flush has been known to cause a dog to make the decision that it should be a flusher. I will only allow Casey to make a flush if there is absolutely no way that I could make the flush (maybe 10% - 20% of the time). As I said, it's a very very delicate balance.

"Top Notch" PLs have lost nothing that Labs are famous for. They retrieve, run blinds, etc etc just as well as any other good Lab. If "traditional Lab traits" had been bred out of them, then why are soooo many PLs doing so well in the traditional "Dog Games" (Hunt Tests, Field Tests, Field Trials). Casey got his first retriever title at 16 months of age and his second title exactly one year later. PLs do everything that traditional Labs do, plus they point. That's the only difference.

Thanks for the clarification DocE. I'm, sure Knutson outlines that at some point in the book that I haven't gotten to yet. The bottom line seems to be that a PL is everything a traditional lab is with an extra trick up it's sleeve.

What sold me on it was the references. The concensus is that these dogs are much more than was expected.

Looking forward to it!

Doc,

Dropped you a line a few minutes ago on the other email address-should have the books in a day or two. When is the prospective bride due for Casey this week?

She's supposed to come out on Thanksgiving morning. Casey boy will have something to be Thankful for

Thanks. Went to the website, very helpful.

Got the Knutson book two days ago and am about half way through it. Great book for a PL owner. The Graham books (ordered all three) should be here Friday according to Mark at Coon River Kennels. I can't wait.

Just got the Graham books-think my weekend will be very fun!!