New pup question.

[PA BEN]

I had a yellow lab who was a great bird dog, I had him for 14 years i lost him to old age back in 2005. I will get tons of answers to this question so give reasons why. Like I said my old lab was a male, does a male or female make a better hunting dog?

[PA BEN]

I moved to the wet side when I put my hunting buddy down now that im back home its time for another lab. He was the best dog I have hunted over, I hope my next one will be as great as he was. He was strong and had a all day long drive. Ice, snow, mud, brush it didn't mater he would out hunt any dog we hunted with. I read somewhere that a man will only have one great dog in his lifetime. Mel was a great dog i just hope to train my new lab to be as great as he was.

[wildweeds]

Has more to do with genetics than sex,I've had males that would knock socks off and stand your hair up on end,and I've had males that were like watching paint dry, same goes for females.It's in their disposition, look for the fireball not the cowardly lion.Bred right the fireball will be biddible enough to accept training easily,bred wrong that fireball will be a 12 year pain in the ......

[PA BEN]

I did not cut my male lab because I thought he would loose his drive. Any of you male hunting lab guys cut your dog? Is this bad for a hunting dog, male and or female?

[ghosthunter]

I am on my 2nd female. I think the amount of training and time makes a big difference. My wife gardens so 30 years ago I promised only a female.

They don't lift there leg on everything. Other than that, breeding and time.

Many guys get a dog hunt it a few weeks and leave it the rest of the time. I like to work with the dog year round.

Good luck.

[Happy Gilmore]

Genetics #1, Training #2 and sometimes #1.

[JJD]

The Male I had that was cut had more drive than any dog I ever hunted over.
He'd hit geese like a linebacker with a free shot at a quarterback, after he was cut.  His drive was controlable.
His blood line was good and I thought about breeding him, but when his testosterone kicked in, he got mean.
Wanted to kill, not just rough up all other male dogs.  It was either cut him or put him down if cutting him did not reslove the issue.
I will not have a mean dog around no matter how good it is.
Fortunately, it did work and he became a great hunting dog without the dominance issues.
After a month or so (takes that long for the hormones to purge from their system) he no longer wanted to fight and he no longer spent half a hunt with his nose up a FM's back side.
Unless you have genetics and a plan to breed, and do it right, save yourself a lot of potential trouble and have your male cut.
I do leave them intact till they reach their full size to help provide complete joint developement.