[pamulli]

My wife and I would like to get a second dog and the idea of getting one with little shedding is very appealing however I'm also interested in a dog that I could train for occasional bird hunting. I know a lab is great for this and I know the poodle has this in it's history, but I don't think they have been bread for that for a very long time and I haven't heard of any breeders that take this into consideration when selecting the lab. Does anyone have any actual experience hunting with a labradoodle?

I'm also wondering how much the generational thing would factor in? Since an F1 would be half and half I would expect them to be better because of the amount of lab, but I'm not sure if there is any truth to that. F1B seems to be more common, but since it has more poodle I wasn't sure how well that would work with hunting.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Thanks

[mtd885]

Actually Poodles were the ORIGINAL water dog of German Ancestry ( original spelling, Pudel). They have exceptional noses for birding and are great hunting dogs. Our F1B Abby loves to retrieve and hunt for toys in the house. I'm hiding a Pheasant wing for her to find around the house with the hope of hunting Pheasant someday with her--she's taking to it quite well.
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mtd/renee/abby/dr katz
DOODLE ON!
DOODLES OF AMERICA UNITE!

[Lucky Me]

I would say to go with a F1...the hair would be better with the sticker factor as burs in poodle type hair would be a nightmare!
Also look for field Lab lines, a bit hyper (the poodle in there should tone it down some) but tend to be more intelligent.
My Tuesday has field champion lines in her, we do not hunt but I feel guilty sometimes as I know she would be dynamite to hunt with. She has to settle with hikes in the woods and terrorizing the local wildlife.
There were 2 puppies in her litter that I know would be excellent hunters, The one family said that they do not hunt but their family does. I suspect that if he ever goes out with them he would impress them.
Just let the breeder know your intentions, if they are good breeders and watch their puppies, they will be able to pick a hunting puppy out for you.
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Judi,Tuesday& Marley(and little Reba too!)
"Happiness is a warm puppy with wet kisses"

[MaxandMe]

I'd have to agree with Luckyme

go with the F1....I have an F1 scruffy looking LD and must say weeds don't stick to him and the few burrs that do are easily hand picked or combed out due to his hair coat.
he also dries in under 30min, is a"pointer" and has a fairly soft mouth
he also trains quickly and easily.

the other type of hunting dog you may want to consider is the
Goldendoodle F1 also a 50/50mix ......i have 2 of them , they naturally retrieve, have very soft mouths, love to go off on a scent trail, also did not need to be taught to "drop it" they just drop it at your feet
but once again i'd go with a doodle with more of a hair coat.

Peanut...cream one in my picture...her fleece coat catches all sticks, weeds, then will matt a bit so she either has to be clipped down to 1in or her coat becomes a catch all and also takes HOURS to dry.
also peanut's coat for a F1 is unique and more like a f1b

i live on 6 acres with woods, weeds, grasses, creek size of stream etc
also we have friends that hunt...i and/or dave doesn't
and i must say the way peanut my GD is ..it almost makes me feel guilty at times she isn't a hunting dog

lastly, max sheds minimally i mean hardly at all
people who have dogs that shed laugh at us doodle parents when we say ours shed a little!


i say f1 LD or GD either way you can't go wrong
both retrievers and poodles are great hunting dogs and intelligent
they love having a task to do! but yes you must find out what kind of parents are being bred first
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Annmarie, Max,& Peanut
Forum BLOG ARTICLE LINK http://blog.labradoodle-dogs.net/

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." Anatole France

[Linz81]

Our F1 Lea is an amazing hunter! She absolutely LIVES for it! There is a rice field behind my mother's house and if we let her she would stay out there 24-7! They all like to go out there and chase and eat field rats YUCK! My husband also uses her as a duck retreiver. She has had no "formal training" my hubby just worked with her this past fall and was able to use her in the field and on guided hunts. He said if he had a quarter for everytime one of the hunters asked "Whats a Labradoodle?" he would be a rich man. She really impressed them! I will try and get some video of them hunting up their field mice and post it! It is quite entertaining!
Some dogs are born hunters/ retreivers.
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Lindsie, Cheri, Maggy, Skeet and Lea
www.skinnerdoodles.net

[Jac]

My F1 Labradoodles have great instincts and find things well, they also have soft mouths, I am rather certain they would train well for hunting.
My F1 Goldendoodle comes from champion hunting stock and she is very focused and determined to hunt and "collect" things...there was a dog owner a while back that got Sammy specifically for hunting and she (Sammy) trained very well. Here is a link to one of her posts, maybe you can search for all of the posts or contact the owner for more info:
http://labradoodle-dogs.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2246&highlight=sam+hunt
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jacque.bayley.lexie.chase.rosie.nitos.amelia.dupree.madison.sherwood.gerry www.backporchlabradoodles-jacque.blogspot.com www.backporchlabradoodles.com

[cocoandjane]

OK, I have zero experience with hunting....
but Coco's breeder hunts with his labs....
and while out helping another train a lab for hunting,
he took along one of his labradoodles.
She just sat there and watched the training session
with the labrador, who wasn't getting it too well.
At a lull in the action....the labradoodle went over
and retrieved, circled around into the heel position
and dropped the bird....after only WATCHING!!
The owner of the lab being trained decided to buy
the labradoodle and is now hunting with it.

True story. Smart dog.
Don't know if it was an F1, or an F1B though.

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Jane

Coco and Abby, too!!