[Cappy_TX]

I have a 14 month old Labradoodle named Pickles, who is a weapon in the field. She has been trained to hunt since she was only 4 months old, and is one of the best field dogs I have ever seen. She has done over 80 retrieves this season, all of them to hand, and some of them were sensational (400 yard blind retrieves, etc). She has an amazing nose as well.

In my book, and in the eyes of the men I hunt with, the Labradoodle is a far superior hunting dog than a lab. Calmer, smarter, more easily trained and doesn't shed so she transitions to the home much more easily. She's a great swimmer to boot.

Pickles ... your post caught my attention and caused me to register just to reply. I too have a 14 month old Labradoodle. And he too has become a hunting machine! I had my doubts when I began the training process, and even after the first month of season I was reconciled to the fact that "Rusty" would never make the duck dawg that either of my two yellow Labs are. However, six weeks into season and the lights really went on for him. By the time season ended in late January Rusty had far surpassed even my fondest hopes for him.

For those interested in seeing the chronology, here he is from the day we got him at 7 weeks of age until the last day of season on January 23rd. Click on image and give it a moment to load fully ...



Now I must take exception with your over-enthusiastic description of the Labradoodle being a "far superior hunting dog than a lab." That's possible if you and your hunting pals have extremly limited exposure to many gun dawgs. Overall it's simply not true and tends to discredit the quality work that a Labradoodle IS capable of ... but certainly not superior much less far superior to the Labrador Retriever as a hunting dog.

At least that's this 69 year old hunter's opinion after 55+ years of training and hunting gun dawgs.

 

[Cappy_TX]

He was until 7 weeks of age when the breeder changed him to an "it".

 

[Cappy_TX]

John ... did you read the entire thread and understand the purpose of the original post and subsequent replies?

Nobody was asking "which is better" ... so why would you come into a Labradoodle site and advise people to NOT get one for hunting because ... "the labradoodle breeders probably don't use good hunting dogs as their breeding stock."

Some people actually check the field performance background of the lines they are considering as thoroughly as they do the health clearances.

Of course some people post uninformed replies because they probably just are.

In addition, the doodle may be their choice simply because of the relative zero shedding and allergic reactions by most owners.

 

[Cappy_TX]

Field Labs tend to be a bit more hyper, but the trade off is they tend to be much more intelligent than the English.

In addition, they drive from the LEFT side of the vehicle vs the right as the British dawgs do. ;-)

They love to hunt and will sit patiently along side you in a blind for hours ..

But love water retrieves most of all ...

 

[Cappy_TX]

The Lab and the standard poodle are both great hunting dogs.

Ya don't say!?

 

[Cappy_TX]

Sorry ... haven't visited here for awhile. Below is a slide show of the last part of the just-ended waterfowl season with our 2 year old Rusty. He's as much of a joy in the blind with me as he is at home with the rest of the family.

Click on image ...

 

[Cappy_TX]

when you trained your doodles to hunt had you been first time hunt trainers or had prior experience with methods that work well.
thanks

I think you may have answered your own question. Unless the "trainer" has prior experience, how would they "know how" to train.

First-timers should always have their pups trained by someone who is proficient and ask to particpate by helping out as much as the trainer will permit. In the alternative, join a Hunting Retriever Club in your area and solicit help with your pup from more experienced trainer/hunters.

 

[Cappy_TX]

Look here ...

American Kennel Club - Copper State Hunting Retriever Club - PHOENIX - AZ - 6040

Arizona Retriever Club