Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Bird Dogs => Topic started by: surfj9009 on April 13, 2009, 12:20:34 PM

Title: Rattlin' Ridge Labs near Yakima
Post by: surfj9009 on April 13, 2009, 12:20:34 PM: Who knows this breeder? Can anybody chime in here with experiences with this kennel or any of their dogs?

I was kind of set on a Tiger Mountain Lab, but now i think I might have changed my mind, so I am just checking to see if there are any anonymous references on here.......good OR bad.

Thanks in advance......
Title: Re: Rattlin' Ridge Labs near Yakima
Post by: surfj9009 on April 13, 2009, 12:23:01 PM: To be more specific......here is the litter I am considering......

http://www.rattlingridgelabs.com/litteradvCM.html (http://www.rattlingridgelabs.com/litteradvCM.html)
Title: Re: Rattlin' Ridge Labs near Yakima
Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 13, 2009, 03:16:09 PM: I've watched Joan's dogs work. They are happy, hard working dogs. Joan is a very nice lady who is a really good dog trainer. The dogs' pedigree is outstanding and the pups should have a ton of god given talent. Don't get hung up on the pointing lab thing. If it means a lot to you, buy a pointer. It takes a lot of training even with a "pointing lab" to get the "point".

The biggest thing with labs, you want a great nose and bird drive? Look for a pedigree with lots of AFC, FC, CFC, CAFC and MH's. The "other" titles don't mean much to a guy who wants a dog with a freak nose for birds. It doesn't mean you won't get a good hunting dog, just the titles in the front give you a little extra security the dog will work.

Hap
Title: Re: Rattlin' Ridge Labs near Yakima
Post by: surfj9009 on April 13, 2009, 10:39:25 PM: Roger that. I was actually going to have Mike train the pup. He comes highly recommended from Joan, and he is rather close to me, which will allow a better working relationship I hope.

http://www.skyhighretrievers.com/index.html (http://www.skyhighretrievers.com/index.html)

I have been doing a lot of research lately and I think this is how I want to go. It will be spendy, but I feel confidant it will be worth every penny down the road.........

As far as the pointing goes, I want the dog to be a retriever first, and a pointer second. Some dogs just have it in them, and I (or the trainer), will train what we can but let the dog be a dog too. Labs can be amazing pointers instinctively.

My neighbors lab has never hunted in his life, but he will retrieve anything you send him after, including 4x4's that are 4 feet long. He also points cats every time he sees one across the street, and does not run after it until you say "Git it!" Funny as hell and he has never been to a trainer in his life. He provides hours upon hours of entertainment and laughs during the summertime BBQ's.

Just goes to show that some dogs just have it in them, and we will never understand why.

All we can hope for is a dog with drive and raw natural talent, and then hope we can help them live up to it....