Moving from hunting by yourself to using a dog is a big decision. You will need help training your dog and learning to work as a team. One of the essential aspects of choosing a hunting dog is choosing the right breed and dog. This becomes even more imperative if you intend to use only one dog and not several dogs for different functions.
Versatility and temperament make Labrador retrievers the best upland bird dogs. They are skilled at flushing and retrieving game. Labradors are energetic and enthusiastic canine hunting partners. They are easy dogs to train and fit in well with children and pets when at home.
If you hunt upland, you need to choose dogs with appropriate characteristics. They must be comfortable in the terrain, climate, and environment.
Which Dog Is Best For Upland Bird Hunting?
Choosing only one dog as the best dog for upland bird hunting is one fraught with controversy as everyone has their favorites and preferences. However, one breed is universally popular in upland hunting across most states and in many countries.
The overall best upland bird dog is a Labrador retriever. It is essential to understand the characteristics that make a good upland bird dog to understand why Labrador retrievers are so popular.
Why Are Labrador Retrievers The Best Upland bird Dogs?
Labrador retrievers have been bred for countless generations to work side by side with a hunter. The urge to flush and retrieve is in their genes.
Labradors are versatile dogs that can work with different kinds of upland birds. They work in fairly close proximity to the hunter and flush in a methodical, steady manner.
Their sturdy builds allow them to push deep into the brush and find birds tucked away. The Labrador’s thick, waterproof coat protects them from burrs and sticks without developing nasty snarls that need to be brushed out later.
Labradors live to retrieve. They have an excellent nose and a dogged determination when finding crippled birds.
Labrador retrievers are known for their boundless energy and stamina. They are dogs that can be active for hours, have a short nap, and be ready for more. Stamina is critical in upland bird hunting, and the Labrador has it by the bucket load.
A Labrador’s temperament makes it one of the most popular hunting dogs. They are amenable companions that like nothing more than a good day out with their favorite people.
Labradors are highly intelligent dogs and easy to train. Their orientation towards people makes them quick to pick up on the signals and body language of the hunter. Labrador and hunter can quickly become a seamless team in upland bird hunting.
Do Labrador Retrievers Have Good Temperaments?
They are generally regarded as emotional dogs, quick to wag their tails, whine and give the occasional bark. This stands them in good stead when forming a bond with their handlers.
The remarkable aspect of Labradors is that they make excellent pets, fitting in with children and other pets in the home. They usually view everyone as a possible friend. They have no fear of strangers and low dog aggression – a vital trait if you are hunting with other people and their dogs.
Can Labradors Point?
Labradors are primarily flushing and retrieving dogs. The issue of whether it is feasible for Labradors to point is often discussed.
Some Labrador lines are known to point. It is a genetic predisposition but does not pass onto all puppies in the litter. The inheritance of this hereditary skill is not clear and may be difficult to predict.
Some people feel that pointing Labradors must lose some of their flushing and retrieving ability. Experience disproves this view showing that although the Labrador may point, it will quickly break its point to flush when appropriate. It remains a dog capable of marking and retrieving downed birds.
Some handlers have tried to teach Labrador retrievers to point. It can be done, but it is not recommended if the dog has no natural aptitude for it. The general consensus is that forcing a Labrador to point puts tremendous pressure on the dog that may compromise its natural drive in the field.
Choose The Correct Labrador Puppy For Upland Bird Hunting
Choosing the correct Labrador puppy requires thorough investigation and diligence. It is critical to select a puppy with the right genes and health.
It must always be kept in mind that Labradors are bred either for the field or the show ring. Picking up your local classifieds and buying the first Labrador puppy you encounter usually leads to disappointment and heartache.
It is vital to investigate kennels breeding field Labradors. One of the best references is other hunters that are happy with their dogs. Getting recommendations from others can point you in the right direction.
Labrador breeders who compete with their dogs in field trials showcase the dogs’ abilities to flush and retrieve. It gives an impartial measure of how the dogs perform in the field. Kennels with field trial winners should feature on your list of possible kennels.
Poorly bred Labradors are susceptible to joint dysplasia, which can severely affect the dog’s health and ability to perform in upland hunting.
Responsible breeders will have tested their dogs for hip and elbow dysplasia. They will be happy to give you the hip and elbow scores for the litter’s parents. This precaution ensures a healthy dog that can work alongside you for many years.
It is wise to save a little longer and buy a well-bred puppy from proven field lines that may carry a higher price ticket. Buying cheaply may not get you the best Labrador for bird hunting.
What Color Labrador Is Best For Upland Bird Hunting?
Labradors come in three colors; yellow, black, and chocolate. Traditionally, hunters have favored black Labradors as it is believed that their breeders focused more on hunting lines.
Yellow Labradors are acceptable to some hunters, but chocolate Labradors are seldom sought out for fieldwork. The belief is that chocolate Labradors have been bred exclusively for the bench.
The truth is that all three colors can be used for fieldwork if they come from parents that have the genetic traits necessary for hunting.
It is essential to question the breeder on what they use their dogs for. Ask for references of puppies from previous litters that are working successfully in the field.
Chocolate-colored pups may occur from two black field parents if they both carry the gene for the chocolate color. Having a chocolate coat does not disqualify the puppies from fieldwork. They still retain the necessary hereditary genes to make good upland bird dogs.
Individual Preference Influences Choice Of An Upland Bird Dog
Stating that Labradors are the best and most popular upland bird dogs is bound to elicit some ire in certain readers. They will vehemently defend their chosen breed, stating the advantages of using this breed for upland bird hunting.
Hunters are individuals that have preferences for the type of game they hunt and the type of dog they use. There are many excellent dog breeds that can make marvelous upland bird dogs.
Some hunters prefer pointers as it gives them more time to set up a shot. Pointer fanatics may like using pointing breeds for the pleasure derived from watching a pointing dog in action.
Within the pointer group, some may prefer German Shorthaired pointers, some English pointers, some Vizslas, and some Wirehaired Pointing Griffons.
There is a bevy of hunters who say they will never hunt without the merry presence of a cocker spaniel. These brave little dogs approach their flushing and retrieving role with joy and energy. There are still other hunters who prefer setters.
In the end, each hunter and dog are individuals. Upland bird hunters need to evaluate dogs according to the characteristics they require and admire in a dog.
What Characteristics Make A Good Upland Bird Dog?
A good upland hunting dog needs to have some essential characteristics to excel at his job of pointing, flushing, and retrieving. It is wise to have a good appreciation of these traits before you begin looking at dogs.
1. Athleticism Is Vital In An Upland Hunting Dog
Hunting dogs are required to run, clear obstacles, swim through rivers, and keep up all this exercise for hours. Keeping up this level of activity needs a lot of stamina and a lot of natural sporting ability.
Dogs with any genetic tendency to weak joints, ligament rupture, or muscle issues cannot do this job. Study the genetics of any breed you wish to pursue to ensure that these physical ailments do not occur in the breed. If they occur, look for breeders who do tests to avoid breeding affected litters.
2. Cooperation Is Critical In Upland Hunting Dogs
Most experienced hunters mention cooperation when discussing what makes a good bird dog great. The desire to work with its owner is critical. Some dogs are fantastic bird hunters, but they are hunting for themselves rather than for the team of hunter and dog.
Cooperation can be fostered by bonding closely with the dog while still a puppy and establishing a good working relationship. Obedience is essential training and helps with cooperation. Some genetic lines in bird dog breeds have a dispensation to be constantly aware of their handler, making them king in the cooperation stakes.
3. Hunting Instinct Sets Great Bird Dogs Apart
Hunting instinct or prey drive makes a crucial impact on the bird dog’s performance in upland hunting. Within the same breed, there may be dogs with marvelous prey drive and those that have interest but give up after running a short distance.
4. Excellent Nose And Other Senses Ensure Good Bird Dogs
All senses are essential in an upland hunting dog, but a keen sense of smell is critical and the most important one. The dog must be capable of smelling out prey hiding in the bush, tracking injured birds that may have fallen in a river or are hiding in a hole.
Good sight assists a dog in marking where prey has fallen and knowing where to begin retrieving. The dog’s response to the five senses is sometimes referred to as irritability – this has nothing to do with temperament!
5. Emotional Dogs Make Good Upland Dogs
Hunters used to believe that emotional dogs did not make good hunting dogs. Recent studies and experienced hunters have found that an emotional dog is generally a better hunting dog.
Dogs that express themselves by wagging their tails, whining, or giving the occasional bark become more invested in the hunting team. They develop a better bond with their handler and become more intuitive in the field.
6. Good Hunting Dogs Are Intelligent
An intelligent dog learns more quickly, and high levels of obedience can be rapidly attained. In upland hunting, the dogs must learn from experience, and intelligence facilitates this process.
Intelligent dogs are more likely to show an intuitive understanding of what the handler wants and how situations will be handled. High levels of intelligence allow a dog to be more adaptable when circumstances change.
Location And Geography Affect Your Choice Of Dog
Upland hunting can encompass various terrains, from thick brush fields to deserts to mountainous regions. Different breeds are better equipped for specific landscapes.
Cocker and springer spaniels that flush game are usually better in heavy vegetation, working close to the hunter. Pointers are often better in long-ranging open spaces such as deserts or where the game is sparse.
What Type Of Hunter You Are Determines Your Dog Choice
You will quickly find that the minute you say you are an upland hunter, other hunters will immediately ask what species you hunt. Hunters generally specialize in pursuing one or two types of birds. This determines the terrain as well as the dog needed.
Pheasants are often found in grain fields that require flushing dogs that work within a short range of the hunter. In this case, Cocker spaniels, Springer spaniels, or Labrador retrievers would be ideal.
Chukars are found in rocky outcroppings and chutes in mountainous terrain. They are extremely fast, and pointers such as German Shorthaired pointers and Vizslas allow the hunter more time to set up the shoot and be ready when the birds move.
If you are hunting in forests or heavy vegetation, you need a dog that flushes game. If you are in large open expanses, a dog that travels easily over distances and points may be better.
Conclusion
Labradors are popular upland hunting bird dogs. They are versatile and efficient canine hunting partners that bond closely with their handlers. Their easy-going disposition makes them a joy both in the field and at home.
References
- https://www.ducks.org/hunting/retriever-training/what-makes-a-good-dog-great
- https://www.ktbritishlabs.com/characteristics-of-a-good-hunting-dog/
- https://wdfw.medium.com/top-5-hunting-tips-for-upland-birds-d1d752688201
- https://www.huntalaskamagazine.com/choosing-right-upland-bird-dog-you/
- http://www.northernplainsretrievers.com/pointinglabs
- https://www.gundogmag.com/editorial/why-the-labrador-is-the-worlds-most-popular-bird-dog/175457
- https://projectupland.com/hunting-dogs/labrador-retriever/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upland_hunting
