Anyone know of any forums like this one that focuses on Labradors or on Hunting Dogs? I've found a few but they don't seem as active as I would expect. Thanks in advance.

Lots of facebook groups, but I haven't looked for forums.

Thanks I appreciate the response. I thought I'd do some research now. I can't rely on the litter owners, as it seems like the descriptions of the litters are all written by the same ad agency. Every litter is described thusly:

"Super genetics, incredible stamina, unbelievable prey drive, with an off switch to nap by your feet while toddlers pull their tail and ears."

JFC, drives me insane.

I don't disagree, but to be fair, there ARE a lot of good Labs out there. Unless I personally know the Sire and Dam, I'm shopping for a breeder, not a specific dog. FWIW, any good dog will seem like a great dog with the exposure and experience you seem to give them.

gundogforum.com

Yes you are correct. I appreciate the viewpoint, that helps. With my current dogs, I know too much info. I know and have hunted with the breeder, the sire, the dam, and the litter mates. And the difference the in litter mates is concerning. I'm sure some of the difference is "nurture, not nature" but how much is a mystery and a concern to me.

You'll run into a LOT of 'better-n-you' snobbery too, dissing any other breeder, even if they have no clue who they are. Ran into that more often than not when I was breeding AKC Show English Bulldogs 100 years ago. I don't know if it's as pervasive in Field Trial circles, but in the show ring it's baby pageant central! So sickening.

Right?!?!? No kidding. Thanks for the insight, I haven't shopped for a dog in ages, haven't had to, but the day is coming.

Hey bk I'm in the market myself let me know of any black lab liters you think are promising..mb

Will do Bob

All Labs are good Labs!

Well no, I met a dumb one once... I mean, DUMB!

And a mean one, I knew a mean one, raised by old people and I think it felt responsible to protect them, but that sucker would just attack, no provocation. Then again, they had three dogs like that in a row, that had to be environment.

If people would just start them like I've been starting them (still evolving my puppy conditioning techniques, but daggone, it makes a difference) then, yeah all Labs are good Labs!

Except that dumb one... I'd a knocked that one over the head. (Well, maybe that was its problem.. there was something wrong with that dog!)

That dumb one, was it a choc by any chance?

The smartest dog we ever had was a chocolate . Each dog is an individual .

Retrieverttaining.net used to have good litters on it. There are the usual asshats over there, but overall used to be a good place. Haven't visited in several years though.

My best resource for litters turned out to be field trial guys who let me know when a good one is coming up. Those litters never get advertised.

^^^^^^This^^^^^^

If you want a good performance dog, you need to get around to the (preferably) UKC hunt test events and meet the people who are doing it. The breeders who consistently turn out high performance dogs have waiting lists and they don’t advertise.

Thanks that makes total sense to me, that's a good tip.