I don't post on the forum often, but have read it almost daily for several years. Lot's of good information from you guys.

My 13 year old lab passed away last month and I am looking to replace him. We hunted dove, pheasant and duck. I am not a huge wing hunter but sure like to watch dogs work!

For my next dog I am considering a smaller retriever. I would like a dog that doesn't take up too much room in the pickup or the house and don't want to have to pick up a 70+ pound dog and put it in the pickup once they get too old to jump in the back. My lab stopped jumping in the back when he got a little older and I had to load him probably the last 5-6 years of his life. Whatever dog I end up with will be a house dog, outside dog and a pickup dog. My family has land close to town and I go out several times per week.

What do you guys think would be a good fit?

Thank you for your responses in advance.

Field Bred English Cocker. I have 2 and love them.

Or look into Boykins

You could also find a smaller bred lab if you wanted to stay with a lab. 50-60lbs

I'm partial to labs so you can guess what my suggestion is, Britt. Lab. as far as lifting my lard butt girl in the bed of the truck, go to
www.petstep.com

Clayton Taylor with Muddy Paw Retrievers has a litter of English Cocker's. I love those little dogs and can't wait to get one some day. I think it fits your description perfectly. I am not as familiar with Boykins but probably an option also.

The Boykin fits all of the above.

Wirehaired pointing griffons. Great family dogs, smaller in size, great water retrievers and naturally have a closer range hunting upland.

I’d never heard of them until my buddy got one. She is awesome and a natural. Great with their three year old twins, too.

I think you’d be happy with an English Cocker. Whatever you get watch the parents run or research the kennel and make sure it’s what your looking for.. The size is only one thing your looking for, that’s the easy part. Not all dogs of a breed are the same and every dog is an individual. You can only hope for the best when you grab a pup out of a good litter. I’ve never seen a Boykin hunt but they are the size your lookin for. If you may upland Hunt every now and then, look into a French Brittany, I think they’re hard to beat for an all around dog. They’re small, point, retrieve, and make a damn good family pet.

The Boykins I've been around have all been good. Those little dogs can have a ton of motor.

FYI my golden is under 60 lbs, and many other hunting goldens are a similar size.

female english labrador is something that i've been looking at for calm demeanor and size (45-60lbs)

You'll be hard pressed to find an "English" lab that small but a "British" field bred lab can be smaller.

The term "English" typically refers to show or bench bred dogs. Yes, they'll be calm but almost to a fault in that they can be lazy and have not been bred to hunt. Not always the case but in general the "English" bred litters have been bred with no regard for actual working ability.

Your right Brady I did mean British I get those two convoluted. Refer to my sig

https://www.royaltybritishkennels.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC

Take a look at Southern Oak Kennels. Barton Ramsey is a good dude. He'll be straight forward and honest with you.

http://www.southernoakkennels.com

They are on my list of breeds, I would love to own. Small in size, big on hunting. Plus their temperament, makes them a good indoor family dog.

A German Wirehaired Pointer might possibly be a good fit for you. Extremely versatile, will hunt almost anything. Also, good family dogs. Something to consider though is that they are active dogs and need to burn energy daily. If you do some research and think this is a breed your interested in shoot me a message on here and I'll get you in touch with a buddy of mine who just had a litter.
Good luck!

Wire hairs are known to be a little sharp on game... And neighborhood cats... And neighborhood dogs lol. I'm fine with it... But not everyone is

I'm thinking boykin or Brit for what you describe, with cocker as a close 3rd. I only put it 3rd cause I've never seen them on ducks much

That said some Brits have retrieving issues... They want to go find more birds. Boykins you HAVE to check health certs...

You can find some female labs on the 50-60 lb range.

Thank you for your replies.

Id say lab but you never know what youll get
. This is a full grown 49lbs lab and Im glad shes that "little"

I am a fan of those smaller 'british' labs as well. Our group has two that both have some british lines in them and we are very happy with the temperament of both dogs.

But I am really a fan of those old British lines which you don't really see anymore. I don't like the conformation of the modern 'english' labs and I am not generally a fan of the 'whippet-ish' looking dogs that you sometimes see in American field trial lines. It seems traits in the modern lab have become too exaggerated over the years.

Here is one of my favorite dogs, who was the last dual champion in England in 1946, Knaith Banjo.

Look at the Deutscher Wachtelhund and you will be happy

An English Springer Spaniel might fit what you are looking for also.

Thanks to texas wetlands we have a new family member. We met up Friday and have been enjoying the new pup all weekend.
He is a super guy and I am greatful for his help making this work. I am looking forward to the years ahead with a great family dog and excited to get back to hunting with another dog.

Thank you all for your replies and suggestions.