Which dog to take hunting?

[Fastass350]

Not even sure I'm going but in case I do, I wanted some opinions. I have an 11yo female lab/pit mix that I used to hunt a fair amount. I haven't done much bird hunting in the last few years so of course neither has she. I have a new to me female black lab that's almost 4, that to my knowledge had never bird hunted. I would like to take both dogs but I can really only take one. The 11yo loves bird hunting, so I want to take her, and she knows what we're doing. The 4yo will be a handful but it'd be good for her.

What's your thoughts?

Thanks
Chris

[Waldo84]

Do you know if the 4 yo has been gunbroke? I would take the 11 yo with you because she probably doesn't have too many more years left to go. In the off season I would do some training with the 4 yo and definitely make sure she is comfortable around a gun and knows that the gun = fun... unless you're like me and the gun = watching birds fly away.

Good luck and have fun.

[Old Dog]

I'm probably going to make myself pretty unpopular, but I would leave them both at home.  Nobody wants to deal with your untrained dog in the field.      Unless you are hunting private property, out of respect for the other hunters, leave your house dogs at home.   

[Fastass350]

Good point on leaving house dogs at home, but this is private land and probably just my dad and I hunting, maybe another guy or two neither with dogs and both easy going.  The 11yo is not just a house dog she is an all around dog. Maybe some people think there is no such thing... She is well trained in both manners and retrieving. The 4yo is gun broke, that was one if the first things I did with her, and she listens well just hasn't been hunting I don't think.  She's just hyper and a little stubborn so I need to work on her I know. And this would be a good opportunity. But the 11yo won't have many years left, and if I am busy next year or two like I have been the last few, neither dog will get to hunt. 

Thanks for your responses so far.

[bobcat]

That's a tough decision and probably one that only you can make. But I think I would take the younger dog. I don't imagine the 11 year old would last very long. You really need to find out if the new dog has any potential.