Tiger Mountain Pointing Labs

[surfj9009]

Kennel found here:

http://www.pointinglabs.com/pages/home

Does anybody have any experience with this kennel? I am considering one of their pups and would like to learn as much as possible before I put down a deposit.

Thanks

[Old Dog]

I have one of their dogs, and I couldn't be happier.  John Greer, the owner, can be somewhat abrasive, but he does have great dogs.  You will not be able to pick your own pup.  He has you fill out a form listing what characteristics you are looking for, and then he picks a pup for you.  I had a problem with that at first, but the dog I got is exactly what I wanted, so I guess he knows what he is doing. 

[oneezreiter]

I had the same impresion of the owner as old dog did.  I did not get a pup from him but it was more because of money than anything.  I have talked to a few people that have gotten pups there and none of them have anything bad to say about the pups.

[Wacenturion]

Boy...that sure wouldn't work for me.  When I did have hunting dogs and purchased a pup, there were certain things I was looking for.    You know, the things you can't train....like nose.  Most dogs have excellent noses, but there is always one of two in a litter that have great noses.  I can train everything else. 
One trick I always used was to take something like raw hamburger or have part of a McDonald's cheapie burger or a piece of KFC whatever with me.  Play with all the pups for awhile(obviously without the scent of what you brought on your hands) and when your newness wears off with them then go to the car and get whatever you brought.  Have someone with you to continue to distract and play with the pups.  Get upwind at a distance sufficient enough that they won't smell what you have, then slowly move in at say 10 ft intervals.  You will reach a point where one or two will lift their heads out of the pack and indicate that they have smelled what you have and head toward you while the others play....pick one of these, unless it's the sex you didn't want.  Believe me over the life of the dog, it will pay added dividends, finding and retrieving birds.  Like I said before....you can't train a choke bore nose.
Good breeding begets good pups,so that's a given, and you'll get a good dog.  However I like tipping the odds somewhat in my favor so I end up with a great dog.  For what it's worth...........    

[Wayne1]

I have a Tiger Mountain Pointing Lab, and could'nt be any more pleased with the pup John picked for me. Don't let the price stop you, thier well worth what your paying. I run NAHRA, AKC, and HRC hunt test's, and have met alot of Tiger Mountian owner's...  and have yet to find an unhappy one.

[surfj9009]

For those of you who have one, were either of their parents named Suzie or Dub?

The next litter will be from those two. Anyhow, I just read the FAQ's he sent me and I don't know how I feel about not being able to pick my own pup. That just seems so impersonal, but it is not like I would have the slightest idea what to look for anyway. The only dog I have ever had was a half springer spaniel half lab, and that was when i was a kid. I do have a couple friends who are training their own bird dogs, so hopefully I can learn from them a few things too.

From the photos I have seen they look like beautiful dogs though. And apperently they have a good reputation. I do appreciate the comment about the nose. That is definitely worth considering.

I have never had a hunting dog so I would greatly appreciate additional input on what qualities I should make priority.

Here is the list so far:
Great pet, damn good pointer, somewhat mellow rather than hyperactive. I am not opposed at all to professional assistance with training. I have no idea how to train a gun dog so I know I will face more costs when she goes to gundog college. The other problem I may have with training is this: I work as a merchant mariner on a ship. My schedule is 4 weeks on and 4 weeks off. So basically, my girlfriend will be with the dog all year and I will only have 6 months a year with her. Can anybody provide some insight on what problems this may cause or special need situation that I should consider?

Boarding school seems good, but I think I would much prefer to find a really good trainer who can send me home with the dog and some other things to work on, and maybe meet once a week or month. I think my girlfriend and her parents can help with this somewhat while I am out of town.

We do not have kids or cats so that helps. I will however need her to be able to be social around other dogs. The neighbor has 2 labs that spend more time in our yard than his. (We play fetch more often)

[Wayne1]

On the subject of picking your own pup...  I have a friend here in town...  that drove back to the mid-west this past fall to pick up thier new pup... all the pup's in the litter were bought, and all the new owner's showed up the same day to pick out thier new pup to take home... They all had filled out a questionair on what trait's they were looking for in a dog. After everone had picked thier pup out...  the breeder brought out a chart...  it it showed what pup she would have picked out for everyone...   her's matched every single choice that the new pup owners had picked for them selve's.....   So... trust the breeder...  just let them know exactly what your looking for, and I doubt the you'll be disapointed..  If you'd like to talk to my friend about this event... pm me and I'll give you his name and e-mail

[surfj9009]

Well, I dunno know.....

I just heard through the grapevine that their dogs have been having hip problems lately.

?

[Wayne1]

I just heard through the grapevine that their dogs have been having hip problems lately.

I'd check your source then...  I know all of John's dog's have thier OFA, and Cert......plus thier CMN, and EIC

[Wayne1]

This is Tiger Mtn's guarantee :

We guarantee each and every one of our pups for any reason whatsoever up to 30 months of age. Along with this unique personal guarantee, we include health, hips and eyes. We also guarantee that you will receive a pup with natural point and back this portion of the guarantee with free training. This also includes the pups placed as “non-pointers“(except the natural pointing portion). If after the termination of one full season of wild bird hunting, or by 10 months of age, the dog has not displayed the natural point that has made Tiger Mountain Pointing Labs so exceptional in the field, we will train the dog at no charge.

There will be no charge for the kenneling/working of the dog; however, the owner will be responsible for all shipping/vet charges and the training will be limited to bringing out the dog’s natural point; it will not include basic obedience, etc.

Our intent is to place our pups in family situations where they will be hunted in the field for upland birds and in the blinds for ducks and geese. We do not want to place a pup in a situation where he/she will not get the benefit of a full productive life. If you are unhappy, not satisfied for any reason, we would like to have the pup back and we will be more than happy to refund the purchase price.

Pretty good guarantee  if ya ask me...  you can have your pups hip's and elbow done when thier 24 months old

[Wayne1]

For those of you who have one, were either of their parents named Suzie or Dub?

My pups out of teddy...  but Dub's has some awesome bloodline's

CFC CAFC GMPR MHR Jazztime Last Chance V Pekisko
 Sire
 FC AFC CFC CAFC Jazztimes Frequent Flyer
 Sire FC AFC CFC CAFC MHR Jazztime
 
Dam GMHR Willies Wildfire Roxanne
 
Dam
 NFTCH NAFTCH Clubmead's Steel Magnolia
 Sire2xNAFC 2XNAFTCH FC Ebonstar Lean Mac
 
Dam Duffglenn's Sparks Will Fly WCX
 
Dam
 CP Tiger Mountain's Trademark
 Sire
 CP Tiger Mountain's Ty Murray JH
 Sire Tiger Mt Luke
 
Dam Retacco's Leaper of Tiger Mt
 
Dam
 CP Candlewoods Second Chance II JH
 Sire FC AFC Crow Rivers Malarky's Cougar
 
Dam Candlewoods Dream Weaver
 

[surfj9009]

Yeah, it does seem like a good guarantee. Thirty months is the longest I have seen......

[surfj9009]

So, here is what the Papa's pedigree says:
Eyes: Normal
Hips: Good
Elbows: Normal

Mom's says
Eyes: Normal
Hips: Excellent

This seems like a good sign.

[WAcoueshunter]

Interesting deal with them picking out your dog.  Sounds like it works.  Do they do that simply because they can match a dog to owner better than a buyer can pick one out of the litter?  Or is it for some other purpose?  Part of me doesn't like it...I like to make my own decisions, and really enjoyed picking my own pup out of the litter.  But I'm also a believer in trusting good professionals in their profession.  Bottom line, if they don't get it right their business doesn't survive.  No question a dog breeder/trainer will know more about a dog at 8 weeks and how it will be at 8 years than your average hunter will.

[surfj9009]

No question a dog breeder/trainer will know more about a dog at 8 weeks and how it will be at 8 years than your average hunter will.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I was apprehensive at first too, but this comment of your sums it up well. I have to trust that since they have been breeding and training labs just a few years less than I HAVE BEEN ALIVE. , they can find the best match for me..