Labradoodles as gun dogs?

[Razcox]

I would guess that they should be able to turn there paw to it if you get one with the right drive. though i would guess it would depend on what lines they are from, i have met a few labs with no working drive what so ever as they are from pet or show lines only for many generations.

[Wyrd]

Thanks. Just noticed your also in Shropshire! Enjoying the weather today?

[rachelsetters]

Poodles aren't gun dogs??? unless the group classification has changed they are in the Utility group.

But any dog can do retrieving for fun surely? Doesn't need to be a gundog? Or are you talking gundog specific events?

[Tassle]

Originally Posted by rachelsetters

Poodles aren't gun dogs??? unless the group classification has changed they are in the Utility group.

But any dog can do retrieving for fun surely? Doesn't need to be a gundog? Or are you talking gundog specific events?

No - they are not classified as Gundogs - but they were originally bred to be retreivers .... from water I believe?

[Wyrd]

It was my understanding that poodles were bred to retrieve from water?

I am looking at dogs that would be suitable for retrieving and maybe doing small comps, but nothing very competitive or to a high standard.

[Misty-Pup]

I know someone that has taken a labradoodle on a shoot day, picking up, and she was fine, retrieved quite a few pheasants too!!

x

[Razcox]

Originally Posted by Wyrd

Thanks. Just noticed your also in Shropshire! Enjoying the weather today?

NO! Its stopped snowing and we only had a sprinkle . . . I want more!

And yes poodles were french water retrivers when they were very first bred. A fact that has gotten a bit lost over the years i feel

[labradork]

Would really depend. And it would also depend on what your meant by 'gundog'. For example, you could to a bit of light gundog training classes for fun with most breeds of gundogs (and their crosses). But if you want a trained retriever for the shooting field, and/or a dog to do working tests (and maybe field trials) with, obviously you have to pick and choose the type of dog and it's breeding lines far more closely.

As for a Labradoodle retreiving and working tests (which is what I assume you mean), again it would depend. You can train pretty much all breeds to retrieve, but whether they do it naturally with drive and enthusisum is genetic and can't be trained. I don't know how drivey Poodles are for gundog work, but as they are techically not gundogs I suspect not very much. So the Poodle genes would likely dilute the Lab genes.

Most Labradoodle breedings are from two pet bred dogs, rather than strong show or working dogs, mainly due to the fact that most reputable breeders wouldn't want their Labs (or Poodles) being used to mix breeds. So even the working instincts of the Lab side could be questionable. The problem when you mix breeds is that you really cannot predict temperament, which makes your question difficult to answer.

I think you would be better off finding a breeder of working bred Labradors (or a show breeder who dabbles in gundog work if you wanted a more low-key dog), as you will have a good idea of what you are getting in terms of the dogs future temperament and working ability.

[Wyrd]

Thanks

I am getting a list together of breeds that may suit me, I've always discounted labradoodles as they were a 'designer' cross breed but have seen a few pics on the net of them working (usually the more lab looking ones).

I have a retriever x (bearded collie x lurcher dam), he chases birds and retrieves things when I ask him to but he isn't much into it to be honest, he was more into agility and obedience.