Pointing Labs are a fairly controversial topic on some of these dog forums. I've heard all the Götterdämmerung from both sides, but have never seen a PL work, so have no basis for an opinion (that doesn't mean I have no opinion).

Anyway, a genuine Pointing Lab will ideally have been bred from at least several generations of Pointing Labs. If the dog is not from PL lines, then there is only a very small likelihood that the pup will have any pointing instinct--and then probably not a strong pointing instinct. Many dogs will "flash point" and most can be trained to point (or "stand game" as the pointing dog purists are wont to call it), but a dog with strong natural pointing instinct is not generally something that just happens by itself.

Labs are traditionally used as flushing dogs in the uplands. A flusher can put plenty of bird in front of your gun.

 

wuzzagrunt gives a good response. Aside from any purist views on PL's (cause I know there's some good ones) I will maintain that I prefer a flush to a point based on the few number of birds in my geography.

If I was rich in birds here I'd also have a pointer for that job (in addition to my lab). Mainly cuase a point is a 'pretty' thing. :thumbsup:

I needed a double duty dog for waterfowl and upland 50/50 on time afield and couldn't be happier getting all my ducks retreived and all my upland birds flushed within gun range.

 

My lab (1-1/2 yr) points, his father points and some of his brothers and sisters also point -- however, I have never trained him for it and I always expect him to flush a pheasant. Its just something that I haven't developed nor have any interest in doing so. At times he'll lift his front paw when something "interests" him.

No disrespect to "formalized" pointing labs, but I prefer mine to flush. I'm also not sure if he'll "Hold" or "whoa" like a true pointing dog.

 

I have 5 labs they are all duel hunters waterfowl and upland , and all 5 will hold a point on a bird that is holding but they do flush the ones that are runners . Just check out the pics All on point.

 

I have heard it said that pointing labs do not point as well as true pointers do. I agree based on what I've seen from them, but I have never hunted over one and therefore can't really make that statement.

If you only hunt pheasant, get a regular lab. I point dog is of very little advantage on pheasants. There tendency to run can negate the strongest points on at least 2 out of 5 days in all but the heaviest cover. If you hunt grouse its a whole new ballgame.

It has been mentioned that you often times won't get a natural, strong point in pointing lab like you tend to get with regular point dogs. On the other hand, a typical lab will have a darn good flushing instinct and can be great for bringing all kinds of birds to flight if they have good OB. There is nothing better about a pointing dog, the point attracts people but it wont always put more birds in the bag.

It works both ways. If you live in a warmer climate some of the versatile breeds might duck hunt for you year round. However, these breeds aren't labs. They can pretend and thats it. I have worked Annie (GWP) side by side with a lab, and a lab is just a retriever. You can't really have a true retriever bred for the purpose that points like a pointer.

It's your call in the end, largely personal opinion. Remember the point doesn't make the dog better at upland hunting. I have seen some great dogs that flushed a lot of birds in shooting range.

And that is all that I have to say. A lab that points does sound darn good, but the word "point" seems to carry a bit too much weight for some people.

The 4th pic montana bound posted is possibly the coolest looking thing I have seen a lab do, just for the record.

 

Yes their points aren't always the classic points , but they get so worked up they shake and tremble when pointing. plus like I said if that bird wants to run then they will put them up . No bird is safe , be it on point or a flush that birds not getting away ,,,,,, unless I miss :rofl:

That little chocolate lab caught 5 health pheasants this year that thought they could out run her and didnt want to fly. Shes the best dog Ive ever owned :thumbsup:

 

Montana - great pics...if I saw you guys working a field I'd keep driving to the next one! :yes:

 

Montana - great pics...if I saw you guys working a field I'd keep driving to the next one! :yes:

No , you would have to join us ,I dont even care if I shoot , I just love watching the dogs work. :thumbsup:

 

I might get in trouble for saying this but it's just my opinion. I have a lab that does point, though I do not enforce it. Labs are a great Flushers and outstanding retrievers. And I'm not sure if I will ever own another Breed. I do more duck hunting than Upland.

I think if your looking at a Pointing dog you would be better off served going with a Pointing Breed that can do a Upland and some waterfowl hunting. Heres a couple of my reasons why I think this way.

1. Pointing Labs haven't been around that long and you may get a dog that points or you may not. If you really want a Pointing dog, your odds would be better to go with an established pointing Breed.

2. Most Pointing breeds are big runners meant to cover a lot of ground and pin the bird down with a point. Yes a Flusher will do better on a running bird. Most Labs are not big runners and wouldn't cover as much ground as a good Pointing breed.

Pudelpointer, Weimerener, GWP, or GSP to name a few. If you do more waterfowl hunting than anything you can't beat a lab.

 

My lab points and retreives. What else could I want? Is she as good as any well trained pointer? No. But, can I take her to a field and find some birds and then the next day take her to a blind? Yes

If you are only shooting upland than get a pointer not a pointing lab. If you are going to mainly hunt waterfowl and occasionaly hunt upland then get a retreiver. If you are going to do both then get both. More and more you are seeing people take both into the field and working them in pairs.

 

I hunt both upland and waterfowl heavily , none of my labs are the so called pointing labs , the thing is all labs can and will point a bird when conditions are right and if its encouraged then it can be developed more as I have, as far as scenting ability's Ill put mine up against any other breed , I have one chocolate female that I can take to the down wind side of a field , she will put her nose up in the air and take you straight to the bird like radar . Labs have one of the best noses in the dog world , thats why they are used as drug dogs by law enforcement, when was the last time you saw a pointer searching for drugs at an airport. :yes:

 

get a lab and a pointer there is no do it all dog Just good and bad ones

 

That little chocolate lab caught 5 health pheasants this year that thought they could out run her and didnt want to fly. Shes the best dog Ive ever owned :thumbsup:

That's my kind of dog right there. Don't give me the chance to miss.... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

 

I bought a pointing lab as a replacement dog from one of the kennels that advertised pointing labs alot...This was more than 10 years ago...I paid top dollar for the dog and would have been better off to buy a pointing breed and put the rest towards a top quality retreiver. Just my experience...My lab who also pointed died suddenly and I wanted to replace him- so I went with a pointing lab line- they took some of the "lab" out of the dog and he never did have the strong retrieving drive...You want a versatile dog that points then go with a german short hair...I have seen a few great short hairs do both but really excell at pointing and retreive the down game just fine...I never trained pointing with any of my labs but some just seem to pick it up and flash point- my female black lab did it this year after I told the guys I was hunting with that I thought she did not point- they had a lab that pointed good- but he was not from any pointing lab breeding- then she goes and shows off and holds a point for everyone to watch...Once again I am sure there are great lines of pointing labs out there but I feel they are taking out the retrieving desire- so I would rather just go with a top quality lab breeding...

 

The pointing labs have come a long way in the past ten years....if pointing labs are so poor, why won't NAVDA allow them to run in their tests?? I will tell you why...they don't want the pointing lab to take top honors. Not only are they great hunting dogs (retrieving and pointing) they have a superior disposition. The fact of the matter is, pointing labs are making a big name for themselves. As with any breed...do your research and you will find the dog that is right for you. There are shady breeders out there raising all the breeds, and breeding for money, and not the breeding to better the dog line.

Labs