doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com OT: anybody hunt birds with a Doodle?

My neighbors have several (expensive) Lab/Standard Poodle "crosses." (I'm not sure whether they are a recognized breed or not, but they COST like purebreds!).

They are beautiful, well-trained, intelligent, and affectionate critters--just about what you'd expect of crossing two wonderful breeds.

But (here comes dat BIG BUTT), those are both also wonderful HUNTING breeds! My neighbors are more interested in home made wine than hunting, but does anybody hunt with "doodles"? If not, why not?

A friend has one, he does not hunt, but he says if the dog goes through a burdock patch it's quite a job to get the burrs out.
It's a beautiful dog, though, exquisite manners.
Mike

Yeah, the wonderful coat could be a problem in "sticker country," but they could get a "Sportsman" cut (we used to call it a Butch, but I guess that's out now....) like hunting Poodles do.

I have had an 'Australian Labradoodle' for about 7 years now. In Australia this lady actually breeds them as a line and it is not a simple cross as it is in the US.
http://www.rutlandmanor.com/
The coat can vary and ours is very very curly and the hair is trapped in the coat as in a Poodle with no shedding. There is no way that this dog could go into briars. The Lab traits result in a dog that is not quite as high strung as some Poodles but with the Poodle guard and alert traits. She(Lily) is simply loving and truly adorable. She flew over on Quantus and there is no quarantine because Australia has no Rabies. Beverly, owner of Rutland Mannor is one of those rare people who are truly consumed with a passion for these animals. I can't say enough about how healthy the pup was on arrival. Rutland Manor actually conditions the pups for travel and you get one at 3 months old after a long wait for an animal with traits that you and Beverly decide upon. The nose on Lily is superb and she loves to spend most of her time outdoors with it stuck on the ground.
As you can see, she has her own couch with Filson cover as well as Filson dog bed.
She is not a hunter but a lover.-Dick

Interesting post and link, Dick. I like unusual breeds (I suppose all breeds were unusual when they began.). I'm not against working breeds as pets, but am always a little disappointed in working dogs that don't get to work. Hundreds in our neighborhood; all kinds from Brittany's to Chessies. (Never thought I'd see a Chesapeake as lap dog! His tail alone would make a good lap dog.....)

A neighbor lady has one that seems well adjusted. I'm guessing they would be decent retrievers. The few I've seen were pets so I don't think they were representative of the potential conformation if PT'd to a sporting dog regimine.

I have two goldendoodles. One has the tightly curled poodle coat and the other has the wavy retreiver coat. They are intelligent and have great demeanor. One is extremely "birdy" and the other is oblivious. I think with work, the 'birdy" one would be a fine dog in the field.

For waterfowl work I think they would be good, assuming all the instincts are intact (which one CAN'T assume: I know of one Water Spaniel that is afraid of water....). In the marsh they wouldn't encounter as many stickers and foxtails as in upland hunting. They seem very trainable.

Actually, despite the cost, they're still mutts.

I tried hunting field birds with my two Jack Russell Terriers. However, they thought the whole process was undertaken for their enjoyment and benefit, and besides that, it was lunch time which for them begins at 9:00 A.M. and continues to 4:00 P.M. (Supper time begins at 4:01 P.M.)

In addition to all that, the two girls could not get the fact that I was along on the hike in order to shoot the feathered critters as they were flying; and their attention was more directed towards the Chipmonks and Squirrels.

Anyone else have a better experience with J.R. Terier Retreivers ?