Do labs hunt ?

[Judy]

So, that would be a RGF* for rough shooting where game is relatively sparse, a Spaniel for exciting rough shooting on average ground where you might find a few shootable items and for picking up / beating and a Lab for sitting in a pigeon hide or sitting by a duck pond?

* RGF = Run Gawp Fetch

[Springfield Pointers]

So, that would be a RGF* for rough shooting where game is relatively sparse, a Spaniel for exciting rough shooting on average ground where you might find a few shootable items and for picking up / beating and a Lab for sitting in a pigeon hide or sitting by a duck pond?

* RGF = Run Gawp Fetch

RGP. Brilliant. I'm stealing that.

[Bryn]

I have a lab who finds the birds those spaniels leave behind. And at pace too .

They can't carry them all! Which? Slow or sloooowwww

If she's Lily's mum, probably at warp speed

[Cockerman]

Beating at weekend in heavy brambles, where spaniels where burrowing
in under about a 6 inch gap to floor, not a lab in sight,
That does not mean labs can't hunt, just they have there
restrictions, just like spaniels do.
Dave

[Springfield Pointers]

Beating at weekend in heavy brambles, where spaniels where burrowing
in under about a 6 inch gap to floor, not a lab in sight,
That does not mean labs can't hunt, just they have there
restrictions, just like spaniels do.
Dave

Quite right.

I think one would be wise to remember the phrase, "...horses for courses..."

[Stacia]

My Lab will go into the thickest of brambles, but I do agree it is horses for courses. A Pointer hunts far and wide and holds the game on point (not gawping ) a Lab can hunt but it will be totally different and I wouldn't use a Lab where I would use a GSP. But I would use a Lab to hunt if needed, they hunt very well for shot game, better than a GSP who is more concerned (imho) with hunting live game.

[Miff]

Teaching a retriever to hunt and hold an area is often neglected in training (my observations ). I believe in teaching how to hunt most effectively and to keep to an area if need be. So often retrievers will appear to have 'done' an area but if a bird is sitting really tight in difficult scenting conditions it can be missed if the dog has not been trained to hold its ground. I have always taught my dogs to hunt and not just left it to luck and natural instinct. Jelinga, you know this!

[ryanpartridge1]

I have a lab who finds the birds those spaniels leave behind. And at pace too .

ooooooooo i was waiting for it to get bitchy
i suppose they do considering they go so slow..!

[ryanpartridge1]

Beating at weekend in heavy brambles, where spaniels where burrowing
in under about a 6 inch gap to floor, not a lab in sight,
That does not mean labs can't hunt, just they have there
restrictions, just like spaniels do.
Dave

Quite right.

I think one would be wise to remember the phrase, "...horses for courses..."

very well said that man

[Naj]

A GSP could pick-up & I use mine for flighting ducks & pigeons.

Labs are traditionally a specialist retriever but they obviously can be trained to hunt for un-shot game for the gun. But seeing that the UK strains aren't natural pointers (you'd be better off with a Flatcoat for this) & will flush on contact, you'd have to train them to hunt always within gunshot. And if you are going to the trouble of training for that, then you might as well get a breed specialising in close hunting work & which will also be capable of flighting duck/pigeon & picking-up - a spaniel.

Naj