Hey everyone. First post here. I've hunted my whole life and I have a lot of experience training dogs. Problem is, my experience lies with hog hunting and hog dogs. I'd like to get and start training a retriever for duck and dove. I have a couple of questions. Can they be trained to retrieve both? And what are some qualities I need to look for when I'm picking one out, in the parents and in the pups demeanor. Also how old are they normally to hunt their first season if you start working with them early? Any help would be appreciated.

Most folks on here will tell you first and foremost, look at the sire/dam pedigree.
Get recommendations on a good breeder, and tell them what you are looking for. They may pick the pup for you based on your needs and they themselves being with the litter from birth.
Some, not all, can hunt as early as 8-10 months with proper training.

from what I have seen with my own lab if its a downed bird he don't too much care if its a duck, dove or crow if the shotgun drops it he brings it to me. I started hunting him on doves at 9ish months old then on ducks when the season started, but he has always had a lot of drive. I'm no trainer but to me it seems that a retrieve is a retrieve (yes I know all birds smell different )and as dry as it was last year I hunted stock ponds so he got more wet doves than he did dry ones, so the transition to ducks wasn't too difficult for him. So to answer the question yes they can be trained to retrieve both.

Thanks everyone!

Im with EastTexP. My labs will retrieve anything from any birds, to any ball, to truck tires if you can throw them. That is just what they specialize in. Now on that note, I do have a GSP that does not like dove but will retrieve them, and will not retrieve a duck if it is tied around his throat. He will usually pick them up and then lay them back down and smell them. He does not like the taste,feathers, or something.

Give us a call! No, we don't have any pups available right now, we're sold out, so I'm not trying to sell any pups. BUT I'd be happy to answer all your questions and some you'll think of when we chat. Ask anyone on here, we love to help when it comes to retrievers. Don't be shy.

email: info@ironspikeranch.net
phone: 936-933-5317

To answer your first question, though, YES - they can retrieve both, and more.

The way I select a pup, Labrador of course, is to take a pup and put on its back with your hand on its chest. If the pup just lays there it will be more submissive. If the pup immediately starts squirming to get up it will be a hand full. The pup you want is the one who lays there for 5 or 6 seconds then starts squirming to get up. It will be one that thinks about what you are doing then ok I've had enough of this and want to get up. That is the one that you want. Has always worked for me.

Thanks labpoint. I used the same thing to evaluate temperment on my hog dogs. Also holding them by the scruff. Had a long talk with Dawn from IronSpike who helped answer all my questions. I'm super excited to join the club!

Dawn nailed it for me w/picking a puppy! Told her I wanted an independant, hard charging pup. BlackJack (my pup) is 8 mos old and what a firecracker!! Hopefully after next weekend (teal) I'll have some pics to post. Good luck.

lol.... Were your ears burning? Or were BlackJack's? Cuz your name did come up when we discussed how there is no "all good" or "all bad" - just personal preferences and making the right match! I used you and BlackJack as a great example. Thanks for the great word and I can't wait to see the pics!!!! I took Red this past weekend. He did great.

Really, I was just looking for another new hunting buddy!