Lab Pup in the snow

[Dave C 63]

Had a quick walk round my permission this morning with Fern the 9 month old Lab bitch and my youngest Lad.

As we arrived we found ourselves in a snow blizzed so it didnt look good, but after wines from my lad and the pup we had a quick look about.

 

Fern

 

My Lad, the rabbit carrier

 

Fern pointing rabbits tucked under the reeds

 

Fern is just a nice size to hunt through the Gorse and she loves to fly through the thick stuff, a few cuts on her nose will not put her off

 

Up onto the tops and the going starts getting tough

 

 

Fern is starting to learn to get right under the reeds beds.

Here she burrowed about 10ft through a rabbit run/tunnel before popping her head out

 

The pup is not the only one getting tired

 

Another nice retrieve

 

People worry about there pups being Gunshy, this pup is camera shy, everytime she sees it she crouches down and looks away, its comical.

 

Well not much about, but my expectations were not high with the weather.

But a nice walk out with my 2 apprentices.

 

Dave.

[PolarIce 0]

That looks like a great day out.

Does your Lab often find rabbits?

[hendo 1]

Great pic's Dave, looks like the little lad enjoys himself.

Lab upto her usual standard.

 

Baz

[rickyspringer 15]

agree with hendo, pup doing business as usual, very well done again

[Dave C 63]

That looks like a great day out.

Does your Lab often find rabbits?

 

Yeh she hunts rabbits very keenly, thats what i did most of her training on, she is good on pheasants and Partridge as well but after the season finishes she will hunt rabbits / all Vermin out for me every weekend.

 

For what i am using her for i should have gone for a Spaniel realy,but after seeing her parents work i new she would be up to the job and she is not disapointing me so far.

 

Baz, Ricky, thanks for the replys Lads

 

Dave.

Edited December 31, 2009 by Dave C

[hily 379]

Good day out bet you and the lad will remember it . atb.

[Quixote 9]

Lovely looking dog! How old is she?

 

I've a 6-month old black lab' bitch myself. I'm looking to use her for almost exactly the same purpose you're using Fern. Any tips as to how you trained her would be gratefully received as I'm very inexperienced with training dogs for working

[ruthi 0]

Where did you get Fern from? She looks just like my Mirrin who's from Morpeth area - same age too.

 

Bonny dog, looks like a great worker too.

[Dave C 63]

Thanks lads, i got her from a keeper i know in Bedale.

I trained her intensely up to 6 months, then when she progressed onto blind retrieves i eased of the dummy work and concentrated on hand signal controls, she is so desperate to retrieve something now she know knows she has to hunt up before something is shot, so she can finally get the reward of a retrieve, this has made her a real hard hunter which is what i want.

This is not the method of training labs if you are using them for Trailing or beating or Peg dog, but i use fern for rough shooting mainly vermin and this system seems to have worked on the last 4 gundogs i have owned, Fern is nealy 10 months now and becoming a versatile hunting dog, being used to shoot over and with Lurches.

 

Dave.

Edited January 2, 2010 by Dave C

[lone wolf 0]

great pictures mate pup looks well and everyone enjoying themselves great stuff

[kennel-maid 0]

Looks like you all had a good time nice pics aswell mate all the best K-M