Hunting Labs

[Nick2010]

what do you guys expect to pay for a good hunting lab? good bloodlines and everything? just curious. thanks

[legband]

prices obviously vary but the ones ive seen that have respectable bloodlines are 300 -500 bucks ive seen em cheaper and alot more spendy also though id say thats average in my opinion

[Gary]

i've seen them 4 $400-$2000 , with that in mind my buddy got a lab with no papers 4 $100 and is the best dog i ever hunted over !!!!! i believe it is more in the trainin and handler/dog relationship then just bloodlines.

[legband]

If your talkin getting a lab thats trained your gonna be spending alot more i was talking just for a decent dog

[Josh]

ive seen most 400-700...most brit labs go for far more.

[Nick2010]

kinda new to hunting labs. but are the british labs naturally very good hunting dogs? i found a black brit lab that has champion bloodlines in both is mom and dad, and the dog is 8 weeks old and it will already play fetch, they want 1000 for him. does it sound like a bad deal?

[jrode237]

You can get a great dog for much less than that. It's all up to you on how much you want to spend. Not a huge Lab guy (hopefully one day) but I think the brit's have something to do with being more "stocky" and big block heads. Could be wrong though. Lab guys???
Just remember, a lot of the best working/hunting/retrieving dogs out there have been of the Heinz 57 variety. What do you get with a "pure-bred"? Generally speaking you get predictability as to what you can expect for many of it's behavioral characteristics. What do you also get? Often times you get many of the genetic defects due to extreme amounts of inbreeding going on. Ever wonder why many "pure-bred" dogs are now coming with OFA certified hips and the like? The reason has to with bad breeding tactics in which breeders breed dogs for looks and not function.
I am in no way trying to talk you out of buying a dog whose parents have been field champions and/or won many titles based on there abilities but remember, it's still ultimately up to you and the training you provide the dog with, as to how THAT pup is going to turn out. Take a pup from champion bitch and sire and have it go through one "horrifying" experience with gunshots, water, or something else, and chances are you will have a much more difficult time getting that dog to be anywhere close in ability to either of it's parents.

Sorry for preaching!

[Josh]

No brit labs are typically smaller not stocky or really blocky. Typically 45-65 lbs, my male is 56lbs.

[corybdesign]

you dont need papers or champion bloodlines to have a good hunting dog. picking the right pup out of any litter is most important and putting your time in with the dog as well as LOTS of patience.

are you only looking for a hunting dog or a family companion? if your only looking for a hunting dog spend more and get a trained dog. if your happy with a family pet if the dog doesnt hunt then get a far less expensive dog so your not out even more money if you mess up along the way. my .02

[SBE II]

you dont need papers or champion bloodlines to have a good hunting dog. picking the right pup out of any litter is most important and putting your time in with the dog as well as LOTS of patience.

are you only looking for a hunting dog or a family companion? if your only looking for a hunting dog spend more and get a trained dog. if your happy with a family pet if the dog doesnt hunt then get a far less expensive dog so your not out even more money if you mess up along the way. my .02


Don't need papers? I strongly disagree with this, but I like the dogs to be hip and eye certified. It protects the purchase and ensures the breeder is not out to make money. I would never pay for a dog that doesn't have papers. Most good breeders will also put the Home Again chip in the dog for you as well and scan them right in front of you when you purchase your dog

Like Gary says, his buddy has a dog that came with no papers and is the best hes hunted over. Any dog is capable of being trained well, I won't disagree with that.

With this said you have to think of it as like horse racing, the champions off spring is always worth more money.

To me a good dog is a good family companion to, most guys think that you buy a dog for hunting and just keep him outside in a kennel, not me socialization is they key in helpful training. It's your decision on how much you want to spend and I will agree with Gary on the price range, just do your research and visit breeders and talk with them. The guy I bought mine from is very helpful and offers advice anytime I would like. A started gun dog will cost you a small fortune, but there's something about training your own dog that makes the hunting more exciting, this is my .02

If you're interested in the breeder I went through his name is Frank Purdy he's originally from NY but recently moved to MI. Dog training and breeding is what he does for a living, he also participates and judges numerous field trials in the country. His website is www.oldsquawkennels.com Hope this helps, good luck and get ready to have fun:D

[firefighter520]

I have been researching labs for some time now, and found that finding a good dame and sire first is more important than what you might spend. I first researched a good breeder in my area which was "War Eagle Retrievers". I spent some time their watching and getting familiar with their dogs and what options where available to me. I chose the two I would like to have a pup from based on drive, health, appearance, temperament, blood line, and both being yellow labs. Now it's just a waiting a game till it all comes together. It sucks having to wait, but with the kind of money I will be spending I want the best!

If this is something you don’t have the time to do at least make sure the parents are on site and spend time with them. The sire is not always on site but make sure they provide pictures for you. Some serious breeders will also have video.

[corybdesign]

Don't need papers? I strongly disagree with this, but I like the dogs to be hip and eye certified.

Like Gary says, his buddy has a dog that came with no papers and is the best hes hunted over. Any dog is capable of being trained well, I won't disagree with that.

wow, thats pretty contradictory...:rolleyes:

[Andrew Bremseth]

kinda new to hunting labs. but are the british labs naturally very good hunting dogs? i found a black brit lab that has champion bloodlines in both is mom and dad, and the dog is 8 weeks old and it will already play fetch, they want 1000 for him. does it sound like a bad deal?
Curious on the breeder that you found...

I won't say how much money I paid but I spent a pretty penny on my British Lab and I couldn't be happier. My male is right around 65 pounds and rock solid muscle.

[SBE II]

wow, thats pretty contradictory...:rolleyes:

not contradicting just agreeing that it's very capable, but if I spend money on a dog Id like a guarantee and reassurance. But to each his own.

[bowhunter32670]

Here is a pic. of my British lab he is 70 pounds and solid muscle. I just sold a litter of puppys from him and my female 7 of them for $700.00 and if I would of had 10 more I could have sold them also. I still have people calling and wanting one.


http://i315.photobucket.com/albums/ll465/bowhunter32670/Drake1.jpg

[SBE II]

Beautiful dog!

[bowhunter32670]

Thanks....

[spaightlabs]

What muscle is that rolling over his collar??:D

[corybdesign]

not contradicting just agreeing that it's very capable, but if I spend money on a dog Id like a guarantee and reassurance. But to each his own.

my point was that when it comes to hunting ability there are no guarantees. you can stack the odds in your favor by knowing lineage but many non papered purebreds or even mutts have been outstanding hunting dogs. It all comes down to doing your homework on the litter and parents and if your new to labs you either want to go expensive and make a real investment or go cheap if your prepared to just have a pet if it doesnt work out. there's no point in spending 500-1000 to have a pet imo.

[morgun]

Brit labs are supposed to be more biddable because they don't use electric collars. Their best dogs come from long lines of biddable dogs. My lab came from imported english parents, correction during training or in the field is just a harsher tone of voice, shouting or physical correction will have him cowering or running from me. That said he is a fetching machine on the ducks. If you can't control your temper this kind of breeding may not be for you ( can't say I'm perfect, but I'm getting better)
Good hunting bloodlines are worth the money, when I got him 8wks old I got a shotgun out of the safe and he did the dance of joy, he'd never seen or smelled one before. Not all are smaller mines 80lbs and he's in great shape, much better than me.

[KKarloff]

Good looking dog bowhunter!! I agree with SBE II papers are important when you are buying a lab because it is really a long term investment. It is not a guarantee but at least you can help stack the odds in your favor..The hip and eyes etc. is a must you dont want to have all that time and money invested then two years down the road he or she is having hip problems. This dog is gonna be with you for a long time over a lot of days in the blind. Look at the parents... make sure that you would want to own them yourself. Make sure they have a good temperment and have the drive and the want to please... I honestly believe a dog is as good as his trainer. I have seen people with pups from the best backgrounds that turn out to be no good, but the dog has it in him you just have to bring it out and polish it up. Good luck with your pup its a long ride but its all worth it when he brings you that first duck!!!!!