Any of you hunters out there with the fine four legged hunting companions, got any Labs from the Wildrose kennels. I have never hunted with a dog, (that was worth a chit anyways). But after seeing all of the posts here and pics of good dogs I started looking.

So I wanted to ask if anyone has ever gotten a dog from them, are they as good as they say. I have no idea what prices they charge for dogs and I will be willing to bet that its a pretty penny. And what would be the advantages of getting a finished dog over a puppy. I do like to bond with my animals, thats kinda why I never got a hunting dog, people always say that they are for work, and should be treated as such. My Choclate now is old and she only hunts the couch, never spent a night outside. So is it possible to have a dog that can hunt and be a spoiled brat as well.

Thanks for any info from my K-9 lovers. Oh and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

My chocolate dog is spoiled like crazy. Sleeps inside all that jazz. But is a great hunting dog.

It's all about training.

Advantages of puppies is training them how you want from the start. It depends on exactly what you want. Do you want to do hunt tests or strictly hunting?

All of our dogs are trained to do both except my dog is more for hunting. How so?

Most hunt tests dogs don't hunt until they are 1 or 1.5. Mine was hunting after obedience at 8 months. Why? Because hunting dogs need to learn to watch the sky. If you get a finished dog who never has hunted he will look out, but not up. Will the finished dog go get your ducks? Yes, but there are things a younger experienced hunting dog will do better then an older finished dog who has never hunted. It will come with time but if it is brought up hunting early the better he will be.

Patience is key and you can't do it alone. You can't just get through obedience, take him hunting, and expect him to be as steady as that older finished dog. His first hunts, you need to go with someone else and go somewhere there will lots of birds or in your face action. Both is best. BUT you CAN'T shoot! You need to handle your dog. He needs to learn to sit while shooting is going on and not to go until released.

Do you hunt out of layout blinds? Will you want him to hunt out of a dog blind? Then he needs to learn "down" or "lay down" along with the "kennel" command. A lot of trainers don't teach "down" during obedience unless you specify because most hunt test dogs don't need to know it. If you get a finished dog he probably won't know "down" and won't know how to stay in a dog blind.

These are just some key things I think are important. There are a lot more!

Well thanks for that advice. I can say that I only want a hunting dog and a companion, family oriented, and so on. I just don't know where to start, and I will need guidance like yours to help me get through. It would be nice not to have to go get all the birds as soon as they fall, possibly messing up the next set coming in. But thats how I have always done it, just looking for a change. Thanks again

Training programs are meant for hunting and hunt tests. They coincide with each other it's just certain things need to be added or adjusted for strictly hunting dogs. certain hunting options need to be put in the training program like dog stands and dog blinds.

Obedience is most important and should be refreshed constantly. A well trained dog is a safer dog. A breaking and wild dog is not safe.

Disadvantage of puppies - they need lots of attention, chew, bite, and pea and poop inside unless taught differently. Each dog is different and picks everything up at different paces.

Great thing is you get to watch them grow up just like kids.

I have two Wildrose dogs. My older dog turned eight today. He has hunted 21 days this season so far. He is on his Orvis bed next to my recliner waiting for my wife to sit down and pet him. Like non stop petting for the rest of the night. This morning he did not miss a beat but he will never be a trial dog.
MG 12-2011 006.JPG

MY puppy is at college now and yes the tuition is a little pricey, so was the pup.

If you want to know specifics about Wildrose PM me questions.

Now that is one fine dog you got there. I can only imagine how it must be to have a dog like that. He looks very proud to sitting there for the picture.

We've had many labs in the past. My brother just got a pup that was out of the Wildrose bloodline (Damn came from Wildrose and Sire is owned by Wildrose). It is the most active puppy I have ever seen, and we have had some of the best blooded pups around. He isn't scared of anything. When it comes time to settle down and relax, it's like a switch is cut off. He will just lay down and pass out in the floor until you are ready to go again. This pup is going to be a real jam up dog. Certainly glad we got him.

duramax, just curious who is your brothers pup out of?

I will have to check the papers, but I will let you know. The sire and the damn were both bred out of Wildrose from what he told me. The pup is going to be a he!! of a dog though!!