Labs are better as specialists, Drathaar's can do most anything, with individual dogs showing more talent in certain skills. If you want a retriever who works at your direction a lab is the king. If you want a dog to hunt with that works a little more on his own you will love the DD.
Not at all pissed off. I actually agree with what you said. I have little Lab experience. I have Chessie experience. Love them and will have more, as all I do is Waterfowl.
What I fail to see in any of the Retrievers is Nose. I see Loyalty, Trainability, Willingness, etc. But I'd have a hard time accepting a Retriever nose is on par (overall/average) with a DD. That's why there is little to no Hand Signals or direction needed. Cast the dog on a line for a blind and there will be a bird coming back with the dog. He will simply Get it.
Again, my opinion owning a DD and being around a good handful of others(though not a lifetime's worth) is that there are not TOO MANY HOLES in the DD game. They are often labeled "Jack of All Trades but Master of None". Master is a pretty strong word....not a whole lot they lack, and I'd even dare say "High Level Journeyman of All Trades".
Be very hard to argue that there is anything more "Bang for the buck" than a DD, Griff, Pudel type Versatile Dog. Add in the Southeast guys are running hogs with them, coons with them, coyotes, squirrels, etc. Sheds and Blood tracking too.
The blood track they are required to do for "Master Level"(there are only 3 total exams for the DD if the owner chose to go that route) is very difficult. Strict requirements for how much blood can be laid out, how far apart the blood is spaced, turns, wind as well as aged up to 40 hours.
Mine personally (he is not yet 2) is on the low end for Drive. He is NOT a fan of cold water or ice. A very well bred DD should pretty much throw all regard of self preservation aside and do whatever task is needed...ie, ducks on the ice with a 60 yards swim and 12 deg temps. Mine at this point will not. Or at least not all day. He is a hammer from sun up til 11 or during the "Morning Show" as we call it. But his Drive gets zapped. I could not hunt him All Day sun up to sun down. Others will Hyp out and die from Drive.
Mine also loves our cat and brought every cripple back alive this season and is pretty much a Lover. But I'll take that in a Family household with a cat. But he wouldn't be a breeder, as he is a little A-Typical in some of those aspects.
