Hunting Labradoodles
I am new to this forum but have owned and hunted with Tahoe a four year old labradoodle. In four seasons we have flushed, killed and retrieved over 1000 ducks, pheasant, quail and chukars. He has proven to be an excellent hunting companion.
He was purchased with the intent to hunt him, my wife will not allow a shedding dog inside the house, we began training him at 8 weeks and he retrieved his first quail at 14 weeks. Since then he has progressed very nicely.
His genetic background is not from hunting stock but after training several other dogs I am convinced that if you get them into enough birds early and gently and they obey the basic commands you'll end up with a pretty good dog.
Tahoe has lost only two birds in his four seasons, one was a wounded goose that was poorly hit and just to big for a 50 pound dog and another was a poorly hit pheasnt that came down in a rainstorm about 200 yards from where it was shot. He has made 300 yard lake retrieves in 40 degree water although I do not recommend this due to his poodle hair and this year he will be wearing an e-collar to reinforce his whistle commands.
Tahoe weighs in at 50 pounds, sheds very little, is extremely fast, well mannered and listens to my commands. He's a great dog and I would highly recommend one to you but like any dog you need to put in the time and the effort and get him into birds especially the first two years.
Good luck.
Van9492
bootss
