I have an 8 month old working type Labrador. Both her parents are used in shoots and work with game keepers etc. Nelly does nothing of the sort and to be honest I like it that way. I have nothing against breeding them to work, I just don't want to be in the shooting community (wouldn't fit in, so new to it, don't have the confidence to do it) However, when I see labs out on a shoot I can't help but feel guilty that she's not living a life like that and surely she's not living to her full potential. Am I silly to think this? How many of you actually work your 'working' Labradors? What do you do that seems to curb their hunting instincts and enthusiasms? I genuinely feel down sometimes thinking she's not getting what she truly wants/needs from me. Would appreciate all kinds of advice and stories from different experiences. Another thing to say is I am an 18 year old girl living in the countryside where I feel a lot of pressure from land owners and game keepers and dog enthusiasts that I'm not doing a good job with her or not training her right.
Hi @Olivia__ , I can relate to what you are saying. I'm much much older than you and have lived in the countryside all my life, and love nothing more than seeing a dog or horse enjoying it's work. BUT if I'm honest I do have a problem with driven shooting. I bought Cassie from friends who have a small shoot on their farm, I bought her because I love her mother who I know well, and I thought, so I'm getting a Labrador, I'll do gundog training with her. Just this afternoon we've been to our local trainer and done some training. You don't have to go on a shoot for them to enjoy retrieving, and they won't know what they are missing. She had a ball retrieving dummies, having to search for them. So maybe you could find somewhere to do gundog training without having to go shooting. I do find that people are only to keen too give their opinion on what a dog should be doing. Lots of Labradors never go shooting .. many are happy as family pets, others are assistance dogs or tracker dogs. You can do scentwork or tracking classes. There's no doubt that finding something that stimulates them mentally is very beneficial.
Yes Red's parents do too but we bought Red as a family pet. Her mum lives in a family home and is their pet but she is also used in shoots. Since having Red though I have learnt so much more about working Labradors, I am having just the same thoughts as you so I will follow this thread with interest. I am not in the least interested in shooting. Red is not in the least bit interested in retrieving which I do find odd but she may become more so. I take her to Scentwork classes which also combines targeted work. I get the feeling she may be good at agility but for the time being I am just happy that she has settled in so well into our home.
Our boy came from working parents as well, but I'm not interested in working him, and he's perfectly happy as he is I think we sometimes put too much pressure on ourselves when it isn't warranted - as long as our dogs are happy and healthy, that's what matters.
Hi, Meg is a working lab. Both parents gun dogs and lots of Field Trail Champs in her pedigree. She would be a great gun dog...she has all the qualities...but she is also a content happy awesome pet. She adores her family and as long as she gets plenty of excercise...preferably around water she is smug as a bug in a rug. I live on a grouse moor in North Yorkshire....we have shoots all around us and labs working everywhere . I am often pressured to get her out on a shoot. I am sure she would enjoy it as I am sure she enjoys swimming in the river with my sons. I think as long as she is happy...keep doing what you are doing and enjoy your dog
My boy is a show bred chocolate lab but in order to focus him and keep him busy I take him gundog training - both on an individual basis and in a group environment. He absolutely loves it, it works his brain (and mine), has improved my relationship with him, and tires him out. However I can't imagine ever taking him on a shoot. With the right trainer you can both have great fun gundog training without ever needing to go near a shoot. Possibly that would be something you could look at.
Stanleys a "working lab". He would be the worst working lab in the world. I feel no guilt about not working him. He's my pet and to be honest he's never shown any hunting instinct. I even had to train him to fetch because he showed no interest in it for ages! He's absolutely no different to any of my friends "show type" labradors. In all honesty, he's a lot more laid back than some of them. I think it's important to remember most of those working dogs have been trained extremely hard to act the way they do, rather than being born like that. As long as you're happy and so is Nelly - just carry on doing what you're doing and enjoy yourself
At the end of the day as long as you're giving her enough mental and physical exercise she'll be fine. Don't forget that the shooting season is only a few months a year. My dog probably only actually goes shooting a dozen times a year. He loves it, we have a great time but he'd be fine if he never went again. I don't come from a shooting background but I've really enjoyed the training and (eventually) actually going shooting. Now I have a spaniel too, I'm afraid I'm hooked
I'm one of those people who thinks that working line dogs should be worked! Not necessarily shooting, but certainly doing something - be it dummy training, scent work, agility, search and rescue, obedience or whatever. The dogs profit hugely from it, and personally I've found my bond with my dogs has become much more intense and close through working together.
Ella's not from working lines but I know that she (and I) benefit from the obedience work. I only have to say "Ella, do you want to do some work?" and she's leaping to heel, ready to go! Don't get me wrong, we love our long wandering walks, cuddles on the couch and fun games in the backyard but she lights up when "working".
Olivia, we got our (working line) boy primarily for my hunting hobby. So far he seems to enjoy retrieving (dummies) immensely and I hope he will continue to enjoy being outdoors with his owner. I think a lab can be perfectly happy practicing the retrieving instinct with dummies, without needing to retrieve shot game. It's possibly even more rewarding as there is less "sitting and waiting around for something to happen". Agree. It's all a bit 1st July 1916 for me. The black/willow grouse and capercaillie hunting we do can involve walking all day, without getting within shooting distance of game. It's more about being outdoors with a friend and a dog, absorbing the smells of the damp forest and toasting sausages on a stick at lunchtime. Bringing home something for the pot is a bonus.
Sam comes from a long line of workers , all my previous Labs didn't . It was very apparent from early on, that he was different , he wanted to retrieve . I don't shoot , I don't take him to any shoots to retrieve, but I do gundog training with him as he is passionate about it ,using dummies or balls , in and out of water . Thankfully, whilst he is a passionate retriever , he will also accept that some walks are just that , walks so I guess I have the best of both worlds .
