How to find a good Labrador breeder?

[KurtR]

Anybody have an informed opinion on Goshen Swamp Retrievers? Their website seems to says all the right stuff and the pedigree on their recent litter looks solid to me, but I've never crossed paths with them or the sire they used (FC/AFC Blue).

What are you looking to do. From the pedigree those dogs are going to have some horse power. Should be damn nice dogs. I have a friend in Tennessee that has a litter on the ground from afc fc Percy and hrch mh female . He has two males available.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

What are you looking to do. From the pedigree those dogs are going to have some horse power. Should be damn nice dogs. I have a friend in Tennessee that has a litter on the ground from afc fc Percy and hrch mh female . He has two males available.

Pheasant hunt, do some hunt tests, play in the yard/ house/ pool with my kids. Really looking for a friendly, healthy, biddable family house dog to replace the lab I lost this fall.

If i end up with a great one maybe it'll motivate me to try waterfowl hunting again, but its not great in my area. When I have a healthy dog I pheasant hunt 2-3 days a week during the season.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

My kids are 8/6/4, so the friendly aspect is real important.

 

[KurtR]

Pheasant hunt, do some hunt tests, play in the yard/ house/ pool with my kids. Really looking for a friendly, healthy, biddable family house dog to replace the lab I lost this fall.

If i end up with a great one maybe it'll motivate me to try waterfowl hunting again, but its not great in my area. When I have a healthy dog I pheasant hunt 2-3 days a week during the season.

I would ask about how the parents are in the house and if they are good and clean. That’s a pretty stacked pedigree and those dogs should play any game you want to.

Talk to them and they will know if the dogs fit you situation and if not point you in the right direction.

The litter in Tennessee I know the mom and she is a sweetheart of a dog.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Appreciate the advice, thank you

 

[dogman11]

Lots of great advice I had the opportunity to stand beside 2 NAFCs that were high drive machines and not for the faint of heart when you said back! But they both were absolute wonderful house dogs, rode in the front seat and sat in my office at work like gentlemen. in my opinion your best bet is to socialize the pup to death take them everywhere with you that's the way to create the dog you want. One of my dogs has sired 4 either NFC or NAFCs and probably 60 plus FC;s along with 500 or more MHs I haven't kept up I stepped away from the trial game to spend more time with my family about 12 years ago. If you are looking for a good dog go watch some field trials and spend some time with a training group whether a pro's truck or a good group of amateurs you will make your mind up the type of dog you are looking for. Don't necessary believe that high drive is a pain in the ass it can be the perfect dog if they have a great off switch.

 

[brettkoenecke]

Great thread, thanks everyone. Just starting to look for a dog and this was good advice.

 

[KurtR]

Lots of great advice I had the opportunity to stand beside 2 NAFCs that were high drive machines and not for the faint of heart when you said back! But they both were absolute wonderful house dogs, rode in the front seat and sat in my office at work like gentlemen. in my opinion your best bet is to socialize the pup to death take them everywhere with you that's the way to create the dog you want. One of my dogs has sired 4 either NFC or NAFCs and probably 60 plus FC;s along with 500 or more MHs I haven't kept up I stepped away from the trial game to spend more time with my family about 12 years ago. If you are looking for a good dog go watch some field trials and spend some time with a training group whether a pro's truck or a good group of amateurs you will make your mind up the type of dog you are looking for. Don't necessary believe that high drive is a pain in the ass it can be the perfect dog if they have a great off switch.

Who were they. I like hearing stories of some of the older lines. Thats a special dog that finishes 10 series of the national and takes the win congrats on that. Im just going to start dabbling in Q's with my 5 year old.