I'm going to get a new dog. My dog died of cancer a few days ago.

I usually prefer to go to the shelter and save a stray, but that is not set in stone. Especially since I am going go be fostering dogs for the humane society.

I shot my first goose last year in our marsh. I really love the taste so I will be shooting more. I got my boots full of freezing water retrieving it. I also like to eat squirrels, and I like to hunt squirrels.
I would "prefer" something like a mastiff, or rottie, or boerboel, but I don't think that is going to work.

My last dog I got from the pound, I thought looked like a mix of mastiff and lab. I was wrong. He hated the water, had zero desire to retrieve,zero desire to hunt.

So, a big short hair dog that will fetch and retrieve ducks. And hunt squirrels. I am guessing a lab is as close as I can get. How do I go about getting the "right" lab?

Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a wonderful dog IF you are prepared to spemd the time with him/her.
Peter.

If you want to rescue one, try to locate a local animal rescue organization and let them know you are looking for a lab. Offer to drive to pick it up.

My sister is involved in one of these organizations and it is somewhat impressive, they can match a rescued animal with an owner and they have this expansive group of people that are willing to transport an animal for various distances. So a rescued animal can get shuttled from the midwest to the east coast by maybe a dozen people, more or less depending on who is driving where. Feel free to PM me a contact number and I can get you in touch with someone if you are ever interested.

Looks like Outdoor Writer also has some experience too:

http://forums.accuratereloadin...9021043/m/7621021751

quote:

Originally posted by frank4570:
I usually prefer to go to the shelter and save a stray, but that is not set in stone. Especially since I am going go be fostering dogs for the humane society.

Frank,

Do an unwanted Lab a favor and adopt one from a rescue group or a shelter. They will usually have pups, very young dogs or adults. I would suggest a dog under 6 months old that can be trained early.

I have adopted two older ones now in the last few years, and both were exceptional additions to our family. Both are pretty much just companions for my wife and I (kids are long gone) because I don't hunt upland birds or waterfowl any more after my grandfather died several years ago. I don't care to eat anything with feathers, but he relished them all.

I don't know exactly where you live in VA, but here are a few I found with a google search on "labrador rescue in virginia." There are others listed, too.

http://www.lab-rescue.com/

http://lrr.org/

http://labrescue-richmond.org/

I just found a retriever/hunting organization down the road. They are a hunting preserve,dog breeder, and ground zero for the retriever club. In 8 days they have their monthly training get together. I plan to be there and pick their brains. I hope to learn what to look for. I hope to learn how to mold a dog into a retriever, maybe even if they are not so much of a retriever to start with.
I would like a dog who can hunt with me. If the dog doesn't hunt, then it is a family dog and breed is mostly irrelevant. And there are tons of dogs that need good homes.
I am also moving forward with being a foster home for a local dog rescue organization. My wife suggested that a long time ago.

quote:

Outdoor Writer

My wife and I are looking through the links you supplied. Thanks.

Wow. LRCP has lots and lots and lots of labs.

Find a copy of James Lamb's "Training Your Retriever" book for how to training info. I have often referred to "Dave Duffy Trains Gun Dogs" as well If it's still in print. It's more general and covers most hunting breeds.

do not use the same criteria that you use for picking a wife. Dogs can't cook

Get a Chesapeak Bay Retriever, Good solid hunting dog, but a bit on the stubborn side.

You might look for a rescue lab. Many yuppies in this town think they have to have a lab to complete their image then find out they can't handle them.

Teaching a Lab (rescue or pure bred AKC) to retrieve is about as hard as teaching kids to like candy...have fun

If you want to adopt a chessie check out the cbr rescue. I've helped with a few dogs and have found that you can get some real basket cases. people get chessies and think that they are just curly haired labs and when the dog acts like a chessie ( stubborn and bull headed) they proceed to screw them up and then get rid of them. A little work and some understanding will usually bring them around. Chessies are great but they require a different approach than a lab.