Looking for my first lab??

[Meyer8043]

Long story short never owned a dog haven't hunted with one much so i a newbie to dogs. I hunt waterfowl around 50 days a year so i think its time to make the leap. The wife doesn't want to deal with the puppy stage and neither do i for my first dog so i have been looking into started dogs. My main question is what can i expect out of a started dog in the $3500 range? I am looking at one that is force fetched, collar conditioned, forced to the pile, three handed casting, on the T, doing taught blinds, singles, and simple doubles. The parents are NFCxMH. Is there any other questions or things i should look for?? Is 3500 too much? One more thing the dog is a little over a year old and not spayed so that is something i would want done, is it too late to do that?

[Todd Caswell]

[PoorWordUsage] we will more than likely be able to tell if either could be an issue.

And it's not to late to spay if thats what you want.

Even though the dog has a nice start, there is still alot of training left to be considered a finished gun dog, options would be leave it with the trainer, for another six to eight monthes maybe longer. And or join a retriever club.

Have fun, you'll never hunt with out one again.

[hamie]

Holzinger kennels in Prior Lake Mn has a started dog for sale. They have been in the dog business for 25 plus years. Terry Holzinger is very well respected in the dog training and breeding area! I know Fisher Kennels in Albany Mn also has some started dogs as well... good luck

[jparrucci]

For $3500 I will retrieve ducks for you. I am all caught up on shots, can let myself out to go potty, but require good food. It might cost a bunch to get a custom fitted camo neoprene vest.

[jmd1]

Im with jparrucci, but i will also need the boat moved a tad closer to the down birds as i swim like a rock. I can even clean myself when we are done. Seriously, check out bird dog labs online, located in bemidji. I have one of gina's dogs and while we are not hunting, he is one of the best pets one could ask for. she has some great pups on her HSOforum and is a member of this group.

[Todd Caswell]

Not sure what happened but most of my post is missing.

Basically I said 3500 was a solid price a started dog at that level of it's training, and I wouldn't sell a a puppy of that breeding, that had been put through a solid basics program for any less. For those of you that think it is too much, a NFC/MH puppy most likely went for around 1200, 12 monthes of training, feeding, vet trips ect... 3500 is a wash for the seller, most likely not making anything. If this was a 12 monthe old FT prospect with potential, evaluated by a good FT pro, price would be 6 to 10 grand.

[Todd Caswell]

Im with jparrucci, but i will also need the boat moved a tad closer to the down birds as i swim like a rock. I can even clean myself when we are done. Seriously, check out bird dog labs online, located in bemidji. I have one of gina's dogs and while we are not hunting, he is one of the best pets one could ask for. she has some great pups on her HSOforum and is a member of this group.

Tried to google and coudn't find anything.....

[jmd1]

all one word i looked prior to posting. good luck [Note from Admin: Please read forum policy before posting again. Thank You] .com

[BirddogLabs]

Seriously, check out bird dog labs online, located in bemidji. I have one of gina's dogs and while we are not hunting, he is one of the best pets one could ask for. she has some great pups on her HSOforum and is a member of this group.

Thank you Jeff. I haven't been on here for a very long time due to buidling a new house and working on my graduate degree. Finally I have the time to commit to raising lab pups again. Gunner's full sister is expecting her first litter February 17th. I am very excited as these pups are going to be amazing. She was bred with 4xGMPR HRCH TGK's Rooster Smasher MH QAA.

[caseymcq]

I know I'm a little late to the party but if you haven't already bought a dog give Smith Farms Labs a call.