I have raised and trained a number of labradors and Border Collies. Looking to try and consolidate to one dog who will trail wounded deer or elk, retrieve fowl, and help gather cattle. I hear of some labradors who are used for cow dogs. Any one have any experience?

For what it's worth, my Lab (a purebred) loves to chase cows. He just thinks it's a big game. He has never been trained to herd them or anything, but he does have the drive. I think that with a little training he would be a great cattle herding dog. I think just about any Lab could be trained to herd cows if they show some interest in the beginning.
joe

I have been in and out of the cattle business my whole life. I had a purebred Lab female that was a great cattle dog. The only problem was she was not as fast as a Queensland Heeler after heeling a cow and would get kicked a little more often. She would also trail or try to retrieve I would shoot.

She was a great dog, lived to the ripe old age of 14.

I think one could train the right lab to herd.

I have no trouble training them to blood trail.

that is where I am leaning, toward a lab. Good smart lab can probably do anything it sets its mind to, or maybe my mind... thanks for the input

Australian Cattle dog. Just teach it to retreeve.
Best dog you will ever own if you are a stockman.
And the best house guard I have ever had.

I have got some Bluetick/Cattle dog crosss that are looking interesting but they will go into the cat pack for lynx. If they dont work out there there will be awesome bushbuck dogs as they lean towards sight hound side.

pdog & Joe R, if you have any information on a lab pup or a started and wash out field trial dog let me know. Looking for a smaller, legger, more built for upland game, prefer yellow almost any color phase.