Hello gang,

I'm a lifelong  quail and Pheasant guy. I've owned full bore pointing dogs over the years when there were ample wild birds around the area and have had yellow labs for the past twenty years.

The honest truth is that between next to no wild birds left in Central Ky and my ability to get out chasing pheasant in the mid west down to a couple of weeks a year I am really questioning if I would be a suitable candidate for a quality pointing lab.
My dogs are treated like family and live a cushy indoor lifestyle. I've got plenty of room to work a dog but not good access to birds either preserve/ pen raised or wild.

My old guy is 11 years old and while in good health his field days are done so I'm considering what's next. I have always been intrigued with the pointing labs but question if I would be doing right by a good dog by offering limited field exposure? I welcome your thoughts and opinions.

Thanks,
Brad

Pointing labs are still labs-love to retrieve anything anywhere, and are perfectly happy as couch potatoes watching a movie with their family. If you want one dog who can hunt whatever and wherever you can go, then no reason not to get a PL. You will have to make the effort to get the dog on birds as a youngster-but you will have to do that for any upland bird dog of any breed. IMO you should be more concerned about the overall temperament of the dog-unless you have time to train/wear out a high powered dog every day, then choose one from a litter that can kick back during down time.

Got my first pointing lab 1 1/2 yrs ago......Life and hunting will never be the same. Converted true believer.
THANKS Le Roy!

iam in sdo cal and i have 2 pt labs i got too use pen raised birds here have one that got his apr at just over a tear i would not have any other type

Hi Brad, and welcome.

Got my first PL and she just turned 2. She has hunted everything we have in Idaho. Ducks, geese, quail, chukar, roosters. She can and will do it all.  Also got into the test game (JH last year), and hoping to attend APLA events in the PNW this year. Great family dog. Great guard dog when I'm on the road. Did my research. Picked this breed and dog. Couldn't be happier...and will never look back!

Greg

I also got my first PL a little over 2.5 years ago and love to watch him working. I think you would be fine getting one.

Brad;

Ky Fish and Wildlife staff are working really hard to restore some decent quail populations on some public lands, in Western Ky.  It would be great meet another PL owner in Ky. 
 
Tony

Got two of 'em. Will certainly never own anything but a lab, and I would have to be hard pressed for it not to be a PL.....

Mostly we have been duck hunting the last few years due to bird numbers in our area, but with the fewer number of chances on wild birds I think that is even more reason to have a PL. Not saying that every bird is shot over a point but the birds that are pointed are certainly easier shots (probably why we end up with so many runners late in the year ;-) )

The thing I love about mine is that when I take a kid out, they will get a good chance at anybirds we find. They have a chance to walk up get ready, and in effect say "pull" when the birds are sitting right. There have been four "first pheasents" and three "first quail" shot over Beamer. Letting a youngster take his first bird from your dogs mouth makes it all worth it. And seeing the dog love the attention that the kid dotes on him on the way home is worth it too!!!!! Show me another pointing breed that would put up with



Time is going to be an issue with any breed/type of dog. PL"s give you the option of retriever work in the back yard or nearby park to blow off steam (for the dog and you).

I've got one here in KY.  For me it was a no brainer since I waterfowl hunt as much or more than I upland hunt.