Daveo26 Posted December 7, 2011 Report Share Posted December 7, 2011 Does anyone use labs for beating or any other purpose other than as a peg dog? I used mine for finding and flushing pheasant on a shoot the other week and got some funny looks off the guns with fat lazy peg dogs....... Iv seen videos on you tube of Labs pointing although why you would use a lab over a pointer is anyones guess Cheers Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 (edited) Beating lines up and down the country are full of labs. Some estates prefer them because they are less likely to go awol than spaniels. Edited December 8, 2011 by WGD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gadge-it Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Yep i use mine for beating, picking up etc ive also got a springer also for the same,they used to there lab sitting at there heal on the peg only picking the odd bird at there feet,having agood seady lab in the beating line is everything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilR Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 I worked as a beater on a commercial shoot, everyone knew the name of the springers as they were the ones most commonly being shouted :o The labs on the other hand were much better controlled, but is that the owner or the breed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Two entirely different breeds.... Spaniels are for hunting, head bangers the lot of them, but excellent to have and watch Labs for picking up My lab sits down and goes to sleep while wildfowling, taken the springer OMG it wont sit still Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PERCE Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Dogs have to be under control in the beating line, your invites to help will be greatly reduced if you have an uncontrolled headbanger wrecking the drives & running through the flushing points. You see all sorts in the line & on the peg don't knock them if they can do a job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveo26 Posted December 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 My dogs 2 years old and this is obviously his first season. Any tips on using him for beating? Is there anything I should be aware/careful of? He is fairly well trained, He works to the whistle and hand signals. Im new to gun dogs but have owned many lurchers and terriers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveo26 Posted December 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Two entirely different breeds.... Spaniels are for hunting, head bangers the lot of them, but excellent to have and watch Labs for picking up My lab sits down and goes to sleep while wildfowling, taken the springer OMG it wont sit still I take your point, But I honestly don't think I could cope with a Spaniel that's why I have a Lab A nice steady, methodical worker Vs a maniac headbanger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 there is nothing wrong with a lab for beating, I take a GWP and really get some funny looks but she is rather good at it so its more interested looks and what is she. Simply with beating the key is keeping the dog under control particularly at the end of the drive when they really need to be at heel to help stop flushing large numbers in one go. Other than that listen to the keeper he will let you know where to really let them work and where not to. Its harnessing their instinct to hunt but ideally without catching which can become an issue when they get a bit clued up with what they are doing. With a young dog you'll find the mornings are harder than the afternoons as then the edge will be worn off and they always seem to listen better. Its hard work and gets the nerves on edge till you are sure your dog won't screw up a drive but things to make sure of are that the dog is steady on other wildlife, we have lots of hares and fallow and muntjac and you do need to be able to stop your dog from chasing which can be hard as it can be at very close quarters. First season out mine stood her ground with a serious sized fallow buck a proper heart stopping moment but fortunately it jumped her and she stayed as she was told to. Its great fun and the dogs love it its just a case of making sure they don't enjoy it too much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveo26 Posted December 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Nice one al4x, useful reading that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlagUp Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 If your unsure always put the lead on towards the end of the drive. Nothing worse than your dog running in or working too far in front and spoiling the drive. Keep it in aboot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 why has nobody mentioned that yes fine you can BUT it depends on the nature of the ground how effective it will be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 My lab sits on my peg waiting but flush birds when rough shooting works in the beating line when I'm beating and picks up when we get invited. At work sleeps under my desk and if I'm working away from home terrorises the wife and my boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tam Posted December 10, 2011 Report Share Posted December 10, 2011 Two entirely different breeds.... Spaniels are for hunting, head bangers the lot of them, but excellent to have and watch Labs for picking up My lab sits down and goes to sleep while wildfowling, taken the springer OMG it wont sit still My Lab shouts - hey boss, the geese are a comming look at the sky - listen for wing flap - look at the dog - listen for tail wagging & so on. My old boy has flushed birds that spangles have missed & will go in the same cover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arwen3513 Posted December 13, 2011 Report Share Posted December 13, 2011 yep my 20mth black lab beats, she loves it, she has a good nose on her. Her retrieving is not great, she tends to much about with it. i have HWV that i pick up with, she loves retreiving, loves hunting too but I prefer to use her on open ground and away from spanners, so i can control the flushing. give her a chance jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One man and his lab Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 I pick up and beat, rough shoot, and go wild fowling the dog goes everywhere and does everything I want. I have a friend who has even trained and used his lab to find wounded deer. They really are the most versitile of dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter cox Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 Used my lab for picking up for about 4 seasons, a very good retriever & very steady, then moved to another shoot where we do beating & a little picking up, he loves it, just make sure he`s steady & you will have no problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigger Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 They can do beating but not to the standard of a spaniel also they wont face cover like a spaniel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveo26 Posted December 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 24, 2011 Tigger, someone ought to explain that to Bentley. I accept that in general spaniels go where Labs won't/can't Iv watched him lay on his side and push himself into a brambles for a retrieve. He is only a small Lab and i honestly think if he cant get somewhere is his size that stops him not his lack of commitment. I will attempt to video him and show you, its mental Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GW80 Posted December 24, 2011 Report Share Posted December 24, 2011 I would use a lab to beat with 9/10, easy to keep an eye on pretty steady and don't need much training apparently(as they are born half trained you know) When it comes near the end of a drive and the cover is deadly thick, which dog does it when the keeper yells let the dogs in!! Spaniel!! You wil never beat a spanner for doing the cover but it wouldn't stop me using a lab for general walk up beating!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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