Thread: Time commitment in training/having a deer indicator dog

Originally Posted by phillipgr

Why's that, Pointer? I guess they're more manageable, less high-energy, easier to train?
I've always thought (in my ignorance) of Labs as retriever dogs but I've found it interesting in reading a little more about deer dogs that plenty of guys hunt with them, blacks in particular. Do they point? Or do you read their body language in other ways?

Yep, thats it in a nutshell. Get a versatile/HPR breed if you have the work for it; otherwise steer clear.

As for labs as deer dogs...due to his hip dysplasia your new lab can't run, so he hobbles around behind you in the bush. Being short of leg and immensely over weight from his love of eating, you know he won't go far. By watching his body language, you know when he stops his ever present panting and wags his tail and licks his chops, there are deer nearby. Job done

That should start a fight

All lab jokes aside, I honestly believe most hunters in NZ would do better with a lab than a HPR breed. Its just finding good labs is the trouble!