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Feb 7th, 2025
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 Re: Non Lab Duck dogs
[Re: Stohner]
#9057116
06/04/24 06:44 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 497
Kevin Heath
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 497 |
While I am a Lab guy, the best retriever I ever had was red Heeler. Now full disclosure, I never hunted her over waterfowl just doves. But she was awesome.
Some days you're the pigeon, other days you are the statue!
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Re: Non Lab Duck dogs
[Re: Guy]
#9058867
06/08/24 12:13 AM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 121
Stohner
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 121 |
The hair genes
There is ff (slick) Ff (inbetween) FF (Chewbacca)
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Re: Non Lab Duck dogs
[Re: Stohner]
#9059668
06/09/24 11:56 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,196
Mike Honcho
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,196 |
It’s hard to beat a DD/GWP as the best all around versatile dog and I say that knowing for strictly waterfowl a lab or Chessie is nearly unbeatable. If you go the DD/GWP route you need to really really do you homework on blood lines. I made the mistake and got one with too much prey drive in her blood line. She was an amazing retriever and pointer, but she if she caught wind of a coon, cat, possum, etc. there was nothing pulling her off. I say this because it really was never a problem till one day my neighbors house cat got out and well I almost ended up with a lawsuit and dead cat on my hands. If you do go the DD/GWP route know there is a difference typically in temperament between a DD and GWP. Part of the VDD testing is prey drive and it’s bred into the line breeding. That doesn’t occur nearly as much in my anecdotal opinion with GWP’s. That said having hunted over numerous amazing examples of multiple breeds. The beard is hands down the best.
“Two things that define an individual what you do when you have everything, and what you do when you have nothing."
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Re: Non Lab Duck dogs
[Re: Stohner]
#9062035
06/15/24 03:45 AM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 986
DonPablo
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 986 |
My last (for sale) GSP pup LOVES to retrieve. I took her to a duck pond in town and she wanted to go after the ducks but had never swam. She would put get in a little then back out. The ducks flew off and I really wanted her to swim so we started playing fetch with an empty water bottle. I threw it in the water and she bit the bullet and went for a swim. She'll have a new owner tomorrow. I'm excited for her. https://photos.app.goo.gl/mA2Mi1A6BP9kJ4CE7
Last edited by DonPablo; 06/15/24 03:45 AM.
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Re: Non Lab Duck dogs
[Re: Stohner]
#9066009
06/23/24 01:05 AM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,695
RayB
red bone Bob
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red bone Bob
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,695 |
How about a Nova Scotia duck trolling retriever, they use one in the ads for semparcontrio (sp?)
Last edited by RayB; 06/23/24 01:06 AM.
There is time, and you must take it, to lay your hand on your dog's head as you walk past him lying on the floor or on his settle, time to talk with him, to remember with him, time to please him, time you can't buy back once he's gone" GBE
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Re: Non Lab Duck dogs
[Re: Stohner]
#9066099
06/23/24 01:21 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,187
Misfire
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,187 |
My GSPs will retrieve ducks. ![[Linked Image]](https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/userpics/2024/06/full-26580-423722-img_0944.jpeg)
"I wanna go fast" -Ricky Bobby
"Mind bottling isn't it?" -Chazz Michael Michaels
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Re: Non Lab Duck dogs
[Re: Stohner]
#9073953
07/10/24 02:46 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 53
Zach Starling
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 53 |
I’ve got a Boykin as well. Working on seasoned title this next spring! Gonna be my snow goose dog since that’s what I tend to chase when they show up
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Re: Non Lab Duck dogs
[Re: JTS]
#9076877
07/16/24 01:28 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,151
Greekangler
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,151 |
I have a Boykin who is great. I prefer the smaller size being a house dog and rides better in the front seat of my truck also. I will take spaniels over labs anytime. Drive and intelligence overall (there are exceptions) I can train a spaniel to do doubles blinds whistle train etc in 3 months what it would take a lab over a year. Now in 10 degree temps breaking thick ice, Lab or Chessie is the work horse. I’ve had 2 Cockers, an 11 year old female that has retrieved 1500+ ducks geese, hunting wild quail in W Tx, many wild pheasant hunts in SD and Tx panhandle- and big numbers of dove. I’ve got a 1 year old male springer that may be even better- they have an off switch. Bit larger. Very decorated kennel in N Tx. Had him for 6 weeks, mainly trained for upland. Super steady, he now does multiple blinds thru cover and water to 100 yards, whistle stop/ start hand signals etc. Incredible in memory and marking. If anyone has an interest, I’ll hook you up with the Kennel. She won 2nd and 4th in Springer Nationals with her personal dogs, and first place in Nationals handling English cockers
![[Linked Image]](https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4327/35919199506_34a02ca8d5_q.jpg) Take a kid Huntin
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Re: Non Lab Duck dogs
[Re: Kevin Heath]
#9076884
07/16/24 01:33 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,151
Greekangler
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,151 |
While I am a Lab guy, the best retriever I ever had was red Heeler. Now full disclosure, I never hunted her over waterfowl just doves. But she was awesome. Waterfowl hunting another level of training and control, IMO
Take a kid Huntin
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Re: Non Lab Duck dogs
[Re: 2flyfish4]
#9076891
07/16/24 01:37 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,151
Greekangler
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,151 |
The dog breeds demeanor is something to pay attention to. There are alot of great hunting breeds but not many good hunting and family breeds.
If your just looking for a dog that stays in a kennel or run except for when they are being trained or hunted than I guess it doesn't matter much.
But my dogs are part of the family, they live inside, lay on the coach and are around family and friends so I need a dog that's good with all that and still be able to hunt. My lab did great with it and so does my golden.
How many of yall treat your dogs as family? Or are they strictly hunting dogs that stay outside in a kennel/run except for when they are hunting/training. Amen
Take a kid Huntin
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Re: Non Lab Duck dogs
[Re: Misfire]
#9077761
07/17/24 04:54 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 708
Sinkey
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 708 |
My GSPs will retrieve ducks. Love these dogs!
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Re: Non Lab Duck dogs
[Re: BradyBuck]
#9077802
07/17/24 06:29 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,026
HornSlayer
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,026 |
While I believe there is no better dog on the planet when it comes to retrieving game than a lab, there are a couple other breeds I’ve seen that got the job done.
My second choice other than a lab would be a Golden. While they can be quirky there are definitely some that are bad to the bone. I would be very picky on where I got one from.
The other breed I would consider would be a pudelpointer. The few have been around had great water attitude, retrieving desire and temperament. I would also only take one from a specific litter I’ve actually been looking at. I know the dam and she’s a beast.
The GSPs I’ve been around might could retrieve your birds but they just don't typically act like they enjoy sitting and watching, they want to hunt a field:
Every chessie I’ve been around looked like it was in slow motion and didn’t particularly care for their temperaments.
Used to hunt with a buddy who had a Boykin. Amazing dove dog, hated cold water. They just aren’t built for the cold.
Everything he said except maybe the Golden recommendation. They are great dogs, really, but the health issues are hard to deal with. Seams like cancer gets everyone I have been around or owned. Just hard to watch one whither away. On gsp's, they are one of the best besides being shy of cold water. Best tracking dog that also retrieves and locates I've ever had.
They make ammo specifically for hunting for a reason! 
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Re: Non Lab Duck dogs
[Re: Stohner]
#9082142
07/26/24 10:04 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 74
Canvasback
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 74 |
We just got an English cream retriever. Much more energy than our labs as puppies but we’ll see.
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Re: Non Lab Duck dogs
[Re: Canvasback]
#9082216
07/27/24 01:25 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,535
scalebuster
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,535 |
We just got an English cream retriever. Much more energy than our labs as puppies but we’ll see. What is an English cream?
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Re: Non Lab Duck dogs
[Re: scalebuster]
#9082225
07/27/24 01:50 AM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,839
68rustbucket
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,839 |
We just got an English cream retriever. Much more energy than our labs as puppies but we’ll see. What is an English cream? Fancy name for a yellow lab? 
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Re: Non Lab Duck dogs
[Re: Stohner]
#9082256
07/27/24 02:56 AM
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,182
2flyfish4
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,182 |
Seems to be a variation of a golden retriever.
Instagram - 2flyfish4
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Re: Non Lab Duck dogs
[Re: Stohner]
#9083632
07/30/24 01:40 AM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 74
Canvasback
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 74 |
Thanks for sharing. Wasn’t really looking to get one as the next bird dog but was a spontaneous family purchase.i didn’t mean to sound supercilious.
I train them myself. Mine have always been family dogs who bird hunt. As long as they can retrieve birds and ducks im pleased.
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Re: Non Lab Duck dogs
[Re: Stohner]
#9083665
07/30/24 02:50 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,567
scot
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,567 |
![[Linked Image]](https://i.imgur.com/gJ891VX.jpg) Had 11 great years hunting mostly duck with Gunner pictured. A photo from his last hunt before he passed last summer.
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