Pointing Labs

[mcbosco]

Ok, I got myself in the middle of a friend's domestic dispute. She wants a Lab as a family dog and he wants a good upland dog, so I suggested at Pointing Lab.

My question is, which breeder is know for the healthiest dogs.

At this point I don't think she is aware that a Lab like this is not the gimpy Basset Hound type you see at kids soccer games.

That is the next battle.

So which breeders are known for soundness?

[PointingQuail]

I got my pointing lab from Tiger Mountain Pointing Labs. He's the one in my avatar. I did tons of research and always found myself coming back to tiger mountain. They are located in Ellensburg, Washington. I am in arizona and they shipped they pup and the whole process was very easy on my end. They offered to have me come out but I couldn't make it work. My pup is a little over a year old now and as been amazing in the field and in the house. The best part about Tiger Mountain that sealed the deal for me is that they guarantee your pup will point. I know they can't know for sure at 7 weeks but if your pup is having trouble locking up on birds they will train him/her for free until the dog does. As far as house behavior is concerned, that is usually a matter of obedience training from a young age and labs are some of the best when it comes to basic obedience. In my opinion. I know I sound like a testimonial for this kennel but I have been very pleases with my pup.

[DogNewbie]

I've hunted behind some great pheasant and grouse labs (non pointing.) It's all a matter of hunting style preference I suppose. My point is, just because it's not a pointer doesn't mean he can't have a great upland hunting dog. Obviously a pointer is ideal for shooting birds in coveys, but if he's not hunting species like that a ton, why not a lab? Flushing dogs can be really exciting to hunt behind, especially for pheasant in thick knee high grass. You get to watch the dog get more and more birdie and see his tail start to blur because it's spinning so fast. It's a fun way to hunt. I'd say the fact that his wife wants a lab is a win win right there! Could be worse! She could want a bichon..

Tim

[birddog1968]

Trieven/sungold kennels are well known, also Sauk River Labradors seem to have a following.

[DogNewbie]

Trieven/sungold kennels are well known, also Sauk River Labradors seem to have a following.

Great looking lab in your avatar. Is that a pointing lab?

Tim

[crackerd]

Trieven/sungold kennels are well known, also Sauk River Labradors seem to have a following.

Great looking lab in your avatar. Is that a pointing lab?

Tim

Yeah, it's one of the white almost silver ones that have just been developed. (Look a little more closely at the tail - not to mention the ears, the muzzle, the uh, well, you get the picture that it's a pointer without any Lab a'tall.)

McB, presuming proximity of your friend, what species are there to be "pointed" by a Lab in your vicinity?

On the other hand, there are plenty of birds around for "pointing" them toward delivery starting at about 9 weeks old



MG

[DogNewbie]

Trieven/sungold kennels are well known, also Sauk River Labradors seem to have a following.

Great looking lab in your avatar. Is that a pointing lab?

Tim

Yeah, it's one of the white almost silver ones that have just been developed. (Look a little more closely at the tail - not to mention the ears, the muzzle, the uh, well, you get the picture that it's a pointer without any Lab a'tall.)

MG

What do you mean by "just been developed?" Have these dogs been cross breed with an actual pointer? Or do you mean that through multiple generations they've finally brought out the desired characteristics of the lab? I think you meant the latter so I'm also going to ask, what are the desired characteristics of a pointing lab versus a flushing lab? (besides the obvious answer that one points. I'm talking physical and personality characteristics.)

Tim

[ezzy333]

I had one of those white labs 40 years ago. That was the going thing back then especially in the show world. She was a good one. Just showed yellow on the tip of her ears and tail. But she wasn't a pointer.

Ezzy

[birddog1968]

Trieven/sungold kennels are well known, also Sauk River Labradors seem to have a following.

Great looking lab in your avatar. Is that a pointing lab?

Tim

See crackerd, it is a pointer.....

I do have a lab that happens to point pretty nicely although he didn't come from a PL breeding.


And no a lab that points is not a lab crossed with anything, at least not in the last 100+ years. About 10 percent of labs will show point of varying degrees , some folks are breeding those animals that are predisposed to point birds. Some are just sticky flushers but some have it as honestly as any pointing dog.

[postoakshorthairs]

Great looking lab in your avatar. Is that a pointing lab?

Tim[/quote]

Yeah, it's one of the white almost silver ones that have just been developed. (Look a little more closely at the tail - not to mention the ears, the muzzle, the uh, well, you get the picture that it's a pointer without any Lab a'tall.)

MG[/quote]

What do you mean by "just been developed?" Have these dogs been cross breed with an actual pointer? Or do you mean that through multiple generations they've finally brought out the desired characteristics of the lab? I think you meant the latter so I'm also going to ask, what are the desired characteristics of a pointing lab versus a flushing lab? (besides the obvious answer that one points. I'm talking physical and personality characteristics.)

Tim[/quote]
I can't tell if you're joking or serious!! It's a pointer in the avatar not a lab...he was messing with you.

[DogNewbie]

Trieven/sungold kennels are well known, also Sauk River Labradors seem to have a following.

Great looking lab in your avatar. Is that a pointing lab?

Tim

See crackerd, it is a pointer.....

I do have a lab that happens to point pretty nicely although he didn't come from a PL breeding.


And no a lab that points is not a lab crossed with anything, at least not in the last 100+ years. About 10 percent of labs will show point of varying degrees , some folks are breeding those animals that are predisposed to point birds. Some are just sticky flushers but some have it as honestly as any pointing dog.

Ah! That makes sense. haha, I did think that was a very unique look lab! I read your profile as "lab: pointer" not "lab and pointer." Well I'm glad that's cleared up!

[deke]

Tiger mountain all the way. John Greer, he is not a people pleaser. but you can tell by how he acts and talks that he knows dogs. The man will not BS you, I called him because my dog got sick, he offered a dog his age that was started and already force fetched. That was before we even knew what was wrong with him. Turned out he ate some underwear. Like i said Go tiger mountain you wont be disappointed

[mcbosco]

Trieven/sungold kennels are well known, also Sauk River Labradors seem to have a following.

Great looking lab in your avatar. Is that a pointing lab?

Tim

Yeah, it's one of the white almost silver ones that have just been developed. (Look a little more closely at the tail - not to mention the ears, the muzzle, the uh, well, you get the picture that it's a pointer without any Lab a'tall.)

McB, presuming proximity of your friend, what species are there to be "pointed" by a Lab in your vicinity?

On the other hand, there are plenty of birds around for "pointing" them toward delivery starting at about 9 weeks old





Ruffed Grouse, PA & NY, preserve Pheasant...Spinner is on the table too but the wet beard you know We are only 2 hours from PA's best areas.

MG

[PointingQuail]

Tiger mountain all the way. John Greer, he is not a people pleaser. but you can tell by how he acts and talks that he knows dogs. The man will not BS you, I called him because my dog got sick, he offered a dog his age that was started and already force fetched. That was before we even knew what was wrong with him. Turned out he ate some underwear. Like i said Go tiger mountain you wont be disappointed

+1

[nikegundog]

I just looked at the Tiger Mountain site, they want $1200 a pup and the highest achievement their dams have achieved is JH. Maybe I'm reading their site wrong, but it appears to me they've been training dogs for 30 years and there breeding program revolves around two untested dams, which brings up a lot of questions for me. I would be afraid of any kennel that breeds solely for color or pointing ability without trying to back it up, especially at $1200 a pup.

[PointingQuail]

I just looked at the Tiger Mountain site, they want $1200 a pup and the highest achievement their dams have achieved is JH. Maybe I'm reading their site wrong, but it appears to me they've been training dogs for 30 years and there breeding program revolves around two untested dams, which brings up a lot of questions for me. I would be afraid of any kennel that breeds solely for color or pointing ability without trying to back it up, especially at $1200 a pup.

That's a good point. I'm not sure why they don't get their dams some more accolades before breeding them. I can only speak from experience and the pup I have from them that I've been working with has been amazing so far. If you want to choose someone with dams that have got a the awards... check out Poudre River Gun Dogs. Gary Buys is the owner and has recently released a four part training DVD that is gears towards pointing labs and it is well done and he uses dogs that are being trained for the first time in the videos. I have spoken with him a few times on the phone about his operation in Colorado and he seems very passionate about his pups. If I were to add to my family tomorrow I would seriously consider him as well.

http://www.poudrerivergundogs.com

Brad

[QuillGordon]

My point is, just because it's not a pointer doesn't mean he can't have a great upland hunting dog.

He might find it to be better. I don't know that I would go pointing Lab, more just yer everyday run of the mill American Field Bred Lab with a thick skull, long legs, thinner coat, tougher than nails, in the eighty to eighty five pound range. Yeah that just might be the dog of a lifetime, ya never know.