tom_0787 Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 I am looking to gat a chocolate labrador and was about to put a deposit down on a young pup only to find someone had beaten me to him! That got me thinking as to why i want a dog as apposed to a bitch? To me the only real reson (as a first time owner) is that bitches have seasons and special care has to be taken around other dogs at this time but this could be resolved by having her spayed. Im now leaning towards getting a bitch as i really fancy a pup from this litter as both sire and dam have a fantastic ft and working history which is just what im after. Any advice from the more experienced dog owners out there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dusk2dawn Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 I am looking to gat a chocolate labrador and was about to put a deposit down on a young pup only to find someone had beaten me to him! That got me thinking as to why i want a dog as apposed to a bitch? To me the only real reson (as a first time owner) is that bitches have seasons and special care has to be taken around other dogs at this time but this could be resolved by having her spayed. Im now leaning towards getting a bitch as i really fancy a pup from this litter as both sire and dam have a fantastic ft and working history which is just what im after. Any advice from the more experienced dog owners out there? My advice is that if its your first attempt at gundog training get a bitch and one with as good a working line that you can afford, most are more biddable than dogs, AND dont buy a chocolate they are stupid, thick and to my knowledge have never yet won a field trial.... you have been warned Very best of luck whichever way you decide. D2D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Country_est Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 Just got me self a new puppy, had HER 3 weeks now and SHE will be my 3rd bitch, where as my currnent working dog is a 9 year old lab DOG, and I personaly wouldn't have another DOG but would only have bitches as I think they have a better temperment and "slightly" easier to train. As I do mainly rough and pigeon shooting along with wildfowling there is little interaction with other dogs, so seasons arent too much of an issue to me. Just my personal opinion Trev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustyfox Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 (edited) I have got a labrador dog for my first gundog, I find no problem other than he wants to play with other dogs although he has calmed down alot within the last month. They just need more time than bitches, and you dont need to keep the dog at home for a couple of weeks during the beating season. Chocolates are not dumb just play up a bit. I like to have a dog instead of a bitch because when you want to breed you dont have to worry about vets and that you just need to get your dog to do his business to his bitch Im giving my dog till he is 2 then I will get my decision. You could always get the dogs balls removed. Df Edited August 5, 2008 by dustyfox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 A chocolate lab with a ft history??? What's that then? About as useful as a chocolate tea pot! Most 'experienced' gun dog handlers will tell you that a bitch is more biddable and therefore easier to train. Personally I like big powerful labs so it's dogs for me. As for training...well they do as well as most Ask LB about Ben, a ******* good dog...literally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 I like females because they don't have to pee on every single tree or post while you're walking them. Have no qualms in getting a female. Thanks Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doggone Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 Bitches are in season 6 weeks a year, dogs 52. Having said that, with commitment and hard work, dogs can make great workers, (yellows or blacks, that is) Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustyfox Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 Bitches are in season 6 weeks a year, dogs 52. Having said that, with commitment and hard work, dogs can make great workers, (yellows or blacks, that is)Andy But when a bitch is in season you cant teach them anything, they are like scatter brains. My dog although his dad was a chocolate labrador he's good both son and dad. I have seen his dad work in the field and he was excellent, thats why I got the puppy from him. You cant judge a book by its cover. Im with highlander I like a big powerful chunky labs that can push itself throw cover and pick up large game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted August 6, 2008 Report Share Posted August 6, 2008 (edited) as a first training attempt get a bitch, they're born half trained and far more bidable and less head strong. My brother made the mistake of getting a dog first and had a nightmare at 3 he's now pretty good but not as good as the bitch he got 18 months later who is pretty much spot on already with half the work. Test Edited August 11, 2008 by al4x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom_0787 Posted August 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2008 THanks for all the info, it seems that the jury is decided on a bitch. As far as chocolates being hard to train i have always understood it that its just the colour of their coat. Hence you can get a litter of black, yellow and chocs. I have been told that it was this stigma that chocs are mental that stopped them from being fashionable in the shooting scene. Surly a bitch from proven working is the way to go. The dogs i am looking at are form three vallys gundogs. just need to decide what to do so i can out a deposit down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted August 6, 2008 Report Share Posted August 6, 2008 Bitch and not Chocolate for the above reasons. As it 'appens I've got 6 black pups sat in my shed but a long way away from you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom_0787 Posted August 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2008 Dam: KATIE - FFOSHELIG BROWN EYED GIRL OF RASHEEKA (HIPS 6/3 ELBOWS 0/0 EYES CLEAR) Sire: THE ONE AND ONLY AT POOLHALL (HIPS 5/4 EYES CLEAR) by FTAW MANYMILLS MARS (HIPS 6/6 ELBOWS 0/0 EYES CLEAR) out of MEADOWHILL SARAH BROWN (HIPS 3 /4 EYES CLEAR) Dam: MANYMILLS MADDIE (HIPS 6/5 EYES CLEAR) by GAINSMILL WINTER WARMER AT POOLHALL (HIPS 3/3 EYES CLEAR) out of POOLHALL DELIGHT BY FTAW MANYMILLS MARS (HIPS 6/6 ELBOWS 0/0 EYES CLEAR). Sire: TWIG – HEATH BRIAR BANKS OF THREEVALLEYS ( HIPS5/5 ELBOWS 0/0 EYES CLEAR OPTIGEN CLEAR) Sire: FTAW MANYMILLS MARS (HIPS 6/6 ELBOWS 0/0 EYES CLEAR) by FTW & SH CH MANYMILLS HERON (HIPS 5/4 EYES CLEAR) out of ROCK ROSE Dam: MAGICAL MISS MILLIE (HIPS 5/6 EYES CLEAR) by DANCING JESTER OUT OF GINGIES TRUFFLE Thats the dam and sire's parents. Ive got the sires 5 generation pedigree somewhere and its got a few FTW's in it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 A chocolate lab with a ft history??? What's that then? About as useful as a chocolate tea pot! Most 'experienced' gun dog handlers will tell you that a bitch is more biddable and therefore easier to train. Personally I like big powerful labs so it's dogs for me. As for training...well they do as well as most Ask LB about Ben, a ******* good dog...literally He has a healthy, normal, appetite Highlander for a Labrador, enough said A dog every time as it will work harder, go farther, work 365 days a year and ask for more LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted August 9, 2008 Report Share Posted August 9, 2008 Im with highlander I like a big powerful chunky labs that can push itself throw cover and pick up large game. I don`t agree with your theory there, a lab is not a dog for cover, thats a spaniels territory and my small springer who is little bigger than a cocker can and has retrieved goose and hare with regularity and my old girl has retrieved fox from cover that I couldn`t get in. Anyway back on track, I have one elderly spayed bitch and a whole bitch. The old spayed bitch was easily trained and as she`s spayed has had continence problems which has been helped with drugs(propalin) so I would think before spaying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom_0787 Posted August 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2008 Thanks for that henry i didnt realise that incontinence was a possible issue with spaying. I wouldnt consider spaying until after her first season anyway. I think the fact that both parent of this litter are proven working dogs is whats really attracting me to them so as long as everything is in order i think i will go ahead. Thanks for your help guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustyfox Posted August 9, 2008 Report Share Posted August 9, 2008 Im with highlander I like a big powerful chunky labs that can push itself throw cover and pick up large game. I don`t agree with your theory there, a lab is not a dog for cover, thats a spaniels territory and my small springer who is little bigger than a cocker can and has retrieved goose and hare with regularity and my old girl has retrieved fox from cover that I couldn`t get in. I know I have been told by a friend that some labs just dont go in cover, but mine doesnt seem bothered about it although sometimes he watches everystep he takes and moves his head out of the way from bramble he carries on. Df Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustyfox Posted August 9, 2008 Report Share Posted August 9, 2008 Hi I just found this website just by chance it gives good tips on choosing a puppy http://www.countrylife.co.uk/countryside/p...ador_puppy.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 (edited) I have always had bitches and never regretted it. They will work until they drop all day 365 days a year. Well that might be a bit of an exeration , but last year my old golden retriever bitch had 60 days wildfowling , 9 days game shooting and about 50 days pigeon shooting and still went wild when the gun came out of the cabinet. Some of my friends have had dogs and very good some of them are too , but they always seem hard work to train compared to my bitches. I am looking for my next dog at the moment and looking down the adverts for 6 month to 2 year old Labradors and retrievers dogs out number bitches by 3 to 1. So it seems people are more likely to get rid of dogs than bitches. That tells you something about their nature. Having said that both sexes can make fine gundogs and its not impossible that my next dog could be a male. As for working in cover , 3 of my 4 bitches have worked well in cover , while one hated it and would only enter a bramble patch if it knew there was something in there. Edited August 11, 2008 by anser2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tam Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 My lab will go anywhere a spaniel will go pick a canada goose half his weight (he's bout 22kilos) jump whatever he needs to & did i mention he's fast :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustyfox Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 Nice Photo's. My dog can jump but I dont think he can jump like that although I have never tested him out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobby dazzler Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 nice dog tam do u trial him or do u put him in to working tests Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tam Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 (edited) I only wish he was steady enough :blink: The tankards & rose bowl were at Scone scurry, one 2nd with me, 1st lady handler with her indoors, 1st on sunday & fastest over the 3 days with me = £200 in vouchers for Runarkorp He's not too bad in the field but gets realy hyped up at scurrys He has never lost a runner yet Edited August 12, 2008 by Tam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobby dazzler Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 nice one i have a lab that i will be trialing this year cant wait its nice to see all the training pay off :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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