I use to hunt with a Black Lab Bitch that was my extra set of eyes. I would have her sit facing me about four or five feet to one side. She would whine when she saw a bird that was coming from my blind side and would be in range. She loved dove hunting as much as I did. On hot days I would have to rake the feathers out of her mouth and thought and she would go right back to work. Early birds shed feathers at the drop of a hat and can turn a good dog off to retreaving them if they get them caught half way down. Easy to clean them out and give the dog a fresh drink.
We even would go around the field after all the hunting was done and find birds lost by others. One day she found 47 extra birds that way. Good nose and a hell of a fine dog she was. She never produced a single puppy. Lost two litters to miscarriages and never bred her again. Afraid to try again as it was to much of a risk of loosing her in the attempt. She was special and is still missed almost 30 years later.
