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WTB WTB - Lab Puppy

bowhunter1023

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
48,915
274
Appalachia
I've decided to take my time finding a hunting dog. A buddy of mine just got his back from a trainer here in Ohio who does great work for a reasonable price. I'm going to go meet the guy this winter and see if I want to employ him to train, and help find me a dog. It'll take me a couple years to save up the money for that project, but I'd really like to add another dog to the family in the mean time. My daughter will be 3 at the end of the year and I'd like her to have a pup of her own. The wife wants a yellow female and that's not my preference for a hunting dog. So... I'm looking for a reasonably priced ($400-750) lab pup out of a litter that will be ready mid to late December. Health clearances are nice, but not a requirement. This will just be a family dog, so I don't need a thoroughbred.

Any leads are greatly appreciated.
 
Rutin

Rutin

Senior Member
2,029
0
Ina Duck Blind
Lots of those kind of dogs in local ads or the dispatch. Even though its just going to be a family, whatever you do DONT BUY A FUGGIN SILVER!!!!!!!
 
jagermeister

jagermeister

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
18,082
223
Ohio
Good to hear you're starting this process, Jesse. There are a lot of good dogs out there. As long as health clearances are there and the parents have strong pedigrees you'll be in good shape. The biggest thing is then just laying the right foundation with a pup. Since you're already talking of having the dog pro-trained that should make that first step much easier. I'm sure your buddy's trainer is good but I would also look up Steve Earick of Misty Morning Retrievers. I've seen Steve run a lot of dogs in the hunt test game and the dogs off his truck always impress the hell out of me. I mean, a lot of the pro trainers have a great dog here and there, but I'm telling you...every dog I've seen come off Steve's truck have been absolutely machines. If I were to have a dog pro-trained he'd be in my top 3 of trainers.

Good luck in your search and keep us posted.
 
Milo

Milo

Tatonka guide.
8,184
157
Jesse, you should try hook up with a couple guys here and go to a trial just to see the handlers and their dogs. That might be an eye opening experience and also trust who and where that dog comes from quality wise. That a huge thing. Watching a handler and his dogs is a thing of beauty
 
bowhunter1023

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
48,915
274
Appalachia
I may do that. And thanks for the pointer JB. His prices are not much higher than the other guy. (Extra $100 per month.) I'm going to take my time on this first dog so that I really understand what I'm getting in to. Right now, we don't really need a dog where we are hunting. Makes it nice, but we survive without it. Once we have a boat and start hitting the rivers, that's when I want one. We are still 2-3 years from getting a boat, so the dog can wait too.
 
giles

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
44,784
228
The real Amish country
This is close to being on our table also… My current family lab is starting to get old and he's a perfect family dog. We have been talking a lot about him being able to teach a pup some of those things and getting another before he gets too old to want to deal with a pup around. When/if we do this, it will be another english lab. I'm personally not a fan of the american lab, not for a family dog anyways. Way too much energy.
 
teej89

teej89

Senior Member
2,288
48
NE PA
My opinion about health clearances is that house dog or hunting do it is well worth it to get the clearances. You'll pay more up front for the dog that has the clearances but it can potentially save you A LOT of headaches and money down the line.
 
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