sproulman

well,my lab is 4 years old and is peaking on his hunting..
i posted this as info so you dont end up like so many labs i see hunting..

BIG labs up to 100pds are not what you should have hunting upland..
water hunting ducks, no problem..
i see it every year, my lab out hunts most labs i see on grouse and pheasants on our sgl lands here in pa.

reason is they are just TOO BIG ,body ,bones etc.

they overheat quick..

this year i started early, i water trained my lab from may to now and walking up steep hills wth me..
water is easier on joints....

he hunted 3 and 1/2 hrs and still could go another 2 ,i feel on upland in warm temps we had here in pa. today..

so, if you get lab, get a american lab and make sure pup comes from SMALL PARENTS..

females are usually under 65 or so and male should not be over 80....

i also carry a garden sprayer,5 gallon type and i come back to truck and spray my dog down,that cool water makes big difference when weather is warm...

if lab is big ,they will be very hard to use on UPLAND HUNTING..

JW

If you train and condition the dog long before season comes you should not have a problem. However in heat even a well conditioned dog can over heat. Another is some dog breeds are better sutied based on your location andclimate and justdo better. But all of us have a breed of chocie.

Scientific studies have indicated to get a dog in shape you should start at least 8 to 10 weeks before season with routine exercise program. That is not taken fido just for a walk.

JW

Martlet

I have an English lab. She's 11 months now and 54 pounds. This is her first season, and she's performing wonderfully.

Nemont

My lab weights 97 lbs and is a tank. He has been hunting upland his entire life and is very heat tolerant. Conditioning is very important and so is watching your dog to make sure they aren't over heating. I don't know that having a big lab is a handicap at all.




















Nemont

jaysweet3

I have one of those little labs,my girl Kelsey is just under 60 lbs. I wanted a small dog for duck hunting and taking up less room in the boat. That being said we have a hunting partner and his dog is a 7 year old 98 lbs male that keeps up all day.

sproulman

well, i have yet to see big lab handle upland hunting in warm temps here in pa.

you are most likely right,conditioning has a lot to do with it too.
including small labs too.
when i was searching for my lab,i was told by one of top kennels here in pa. to get a small lab if i was going to upland hunt and not duck hunt..

they said big labs are better for ducks..
this preserve trains and trail tests dogs in our area..
they are well known..

here is our site.


www.warriorsmark.com