Labs for deer dogs ??

[Norfolk Deer Search]

My first lab Ginger or Dinge as he was affectionately called, was a legend!

I took him on at 7 years old from and a family where the owner who died, never walked him on a lead, took me all of three weeks to teach him to sit when I put my binoculars on top of sticks to glass, being yellow you could see him in the dark easily and he never gave up. He always persisted till he found it or it wasn’t there to find.

 

[purdeydog]

They make great deer dogs! Can’t go wrong.

 

[muddy42]

What's the best way to do that then? I'm getting my first deer lab in January

I am certainly no expert, but getting a dog steady enough to walk next to you takes time and serious commitment. I'm a firm believer that dogs like black and white, apart from a burst around in the garden to do a pee, a deer dog should be at heel or on the lead 99% of the time. Its best to start over-strict and be consistent - no hunting, beating or retrieving allowed for a year or so. Lots of lead work, lots of miles, get them really used to a lead. If others must walk your dog, insist a lead is used. Get the dog not to pull on the lead by doing random 180 turns when they pull (to show you are in charge) or wave a stick in front of their nose. Lots of praise and treats if they are good. Labs genuinely want to please their owners. Once they are used to a lead I use a longer trailing lead that I can catch or stamp on in an emergency. i make this lead shorter and shorter until its a stub of rope sitting on their back. There are a few books out there.

 

[secondtry]

Get a good lab from a good breeder!

I’ve had 2 labs as deer dogs

And therein lies the challenge. The visible majority of lab breeders in Aus seem to be obsessed with the creation of kegs on legs for the show ring. Athleticism is not a feature. I should be able to locate at least one exception. Sadly this obsession with dumbing down character and spirit and creating malleable show ring adornments has extended to many breeds here.
On the upside, it has been my experience that it is very hard to completely extinguish the wolf in most dogs.

Thanks to all for the input. Very helpful.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

And therein lies the challenge. The visible majority of lab breeders in Aus seem to be obsessed with the creation of kegs on legs for the show ring. Athleticism is not a feature. I should be able to locate at least one exception. Sadly this obsession with dumbing down character and spirit and creating malleable show ring adornments has extended to many breeds here.
On the upside, it has been my experience that it is very hard to completely extinguish the wolf in most dogs.

Thanks to all for the input. Very helpful.

To be savagely honest there are only 2 breeders I would go to.

Just looked your in Oz I was about to pm you with a couple of breeder recommendations.

 

[SikaSeeker]

I am certainly no expert, but getting a dog steady enough to walk next to you takes time and serious commitment. I'm a firm believer that dogs like black and white, apart from a burst around in the garden to do a pee, a deer dog should be at heel or on the lead 99% of the time. Its best to start over-strict and be consistent - no hunting, beating or retrieving allowed for a year or so. Lots of lead work, lots of miles, get them really used to a lead. If others must walk your dog, insist a lead is used. Get the dog not to pull on the lead by doing random 180 turns when they pull (to show you are in charge) or wave a stick in front of their nose. Lots of praise and treats if they are good. Labs genuinely want to please their owners. Once they are used to a lead I use a longer trailing lead that I can catch or stamp on in an emergency. i make this lead shorter and shorter until its a stub of rope sitting on their back. There are a few books out there.

I’d put the dog respecting you is first and foremost most important, this is by basic training at a young age. Waiting for food and sitting and staying etc….

 

[slider]

 

[Thoburns]

Have 4 labs all picking up dogs on game and all will track deer no problem. One actually walks a yard in front and sits when he winds deer while stalking. Never trained for that other than giving a slight sisss to get him to sit for the shot when I spotted deer.

 

[Ranger22]

I’ve used them in the past. Very good

 

[secondtry]

Again, thanks to all for the input

 

[ColinBr]

Absolutely the best dog I've had.

So easy to train, he just switches on when the gun is on the shoulder.

Pet first and foremost but he does his job brilliantly without any fuss.



I must add my dog is a mongrel being crossed with a GWP

 

[SikaSeeker]

Absolutely the best dog I've had.

So easy to train, he just switches on when the gun is on the shoulder.

Pet first and foremost but he does his job brilliantly without any fuss.

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I must add my dog is a mongrel being crossed with a GWP

Nothing wrong with that, I’d love to get a decent bitch pup from that cross.

 

[skypie]

Does the smell of the dog not alert the deer to the presence of the hunter and dog? I have bumped pent of deer I suppose while rough shooting with a dog and a few while just on my usual dog walk.

 

[ColinBr]

That's why you stalk into the wind I suppose

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

Does the smell of the dog not alert the deer to the presence of the hunter and dog? I have bumped pent of deer I suppose while rough shooting with a dog and a few while just on my usual dog walk.

I’ve shot deer while smoking a roll up, winds wrong your wrong!

 

[skypie]

Whilst wearing lynx Africa ?

I’ve shot deer while smoking a roll up, winds wrong your wrong!

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

Whilst wearing lynx Africa ?

Funnily enough at the time yes

 

[Malxwal]

I stalked into some deer the other night. Wind up my arse. Fortunately my clothes had been doused in sheep **** and wet grass for the previous few outings. The dog however, despite accompanying me on each outing, probably cleans herself overnight and does get to laze about in luxury day/evenings. The deer never flinched, I was quite surprised.

 

[secondtry]

Does the smell of the dog not alert the deer to the presence of the hunter and dog? I have bumped pent of deer I suppose while rough shooting with a dog and a few while just on my usual dog walk.

IME not a problem. If the deer can smell the dog, it will smell the hunter. Smell of hunter causes much more concern than the smell of a dog.
Deer may be alert to the smell of a dog but will not be overly concerned by it. Dog can even be helpful in distracting the deer from the presence of the hunter.

 

[skypie]

Thanks, I was thinking I would like to train my next dog for deer. My lab is now 8 years old, he is a good worker and I use him for rough shooting and wildfowling. However he can been a little impatient, was a handful when he was younger but has matured nicely.