Attractive and mostly non-shedding, Labradoodles became one of the most popular dogs almost instantly. A mix of a purebred Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, Labradoodles are loving companions. They make splendid companions for all families, but many people wonder “Are Labradoodles good hunting dogs?”.
Provided there’s proper breeding, Labradoodles can make excellent hunting dogs. The perfect mix of the Labrador Retriever and Poodle, both great hunting dogs, give the Labradoodle the edge necessary to help on hunting expeditions. Dedicated companions, Labradoodles are impeccable as hunting champions, or as a family companion. So if you’re looking for a mostly nonshedding and hypoallergenic hunting dog, you should consider the Labradoodle.
The information below will explain exactly why Labradoodles are great for the family and as hunting companions.
Before scrolling down, we recommend you: Best Labradoodle Dog Breed Guide!
What Makes a Good Hunting Dog?
There are several characteristics that make a wonderful hunting dog. No matter if they’re purebred or a mix, some dog breeds are better at pointing, retrieving, scent tracking, and flushing, which makes a well-rounded hunting dog. The Labradoodle has some outstanding genetic traits that make it an ideal hunting dog. In fact, both the Labrador Retriever and Poodle were originally bred to collect waterfowl for hunters out of the water.
Stamina
Hunting involves long hours on the go, most of the time running after the object of the hunt. Hunting dogs need to be excellent athletes which will give them the energy and stamina to chase and retrieve animals. The Labradoodle has high amounts of energy as both the Poodle and the Labrador Retriever are considered working dog breeds. This makes the Labradoodle a high-energy dog breed that is great for hunting.
Resilience
Not every dog can handle working in the outdoors. A specific type of coat is essential for good hunting dogs in order to withstand the weather and other conditions required for long days of running. Labradoodles inherit the waterproof coat of the Poodle which is very helpful in hunting situations. Labradoodles also have an easygoing temperament so they can withstand many different changes to their environment.
Health
Health is important for more than just hunting, but also for a good quality of life. With as much running and outdoor work as necessary when hunting, a Labradoodle needs to be in pitch-perfect health. Issues such as hip dysplasia or arthritis would only hinder a dog in their work. Most puppies won’t be burdened by these issues, but even they are not always out of the woods. Labardoodles have quite long lifespans and are considered a healthy hybrid dog breed.
Prey Drive
The desire to hunt and chase wild animals should be strong otherwise it would prove impossible to train them correctly. Some training will also help facilitate the drive to hunt, but it is something mostly inherited and dependent upon the breed. Exposing puppies to other animals, such as birds, when they’re very small helps them build that hunting instinct. Labradoodles naturally inherit a hunting prey drive from both the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle.
Hunting Temperament
An element that no one can predict is the temperament of the dog. As they age, dogs can change in temperament making it hard to choose the right puppy. The perfect dog for hunting shows fearlessness, calmness, and adaptability. Labradoodles will likely have most, if not all, of these traits, but there is never any guarantee. One of the most important aspects is that Labradoodles are very easy to train because they are highly intelligent. They are also highly food motivated which makes them listen to commands.
Labradoodle Hunting Dog
As a designer breed, Labradoodles can have all the best qualities of both parents. Since a Labradoodle is made of two dogs with boundless amounts of energy, they make for great hunting dogs. They’re both loyal, trainable, and love to retrieve. They also won’t shed a ton of hair or cause your pet allergies to flair up at home.
Though there is no guarantee what type of adult the Labradoodle puppy will turn into, there is an overall reputation for a good hunting dog. Labradoodles inherit genes from both of their parents which have some of the best hunting qualities such as toughness, agility, and grace for a good retrieval.
Finding the right Labradoodle puppy as a hunting dog is the key to success. Each litter is different, with different strengths and weaknesses. Reviewing previous litters of the same puppy parents may help figure out what other litters might hold.
Background of Labradoodle as Hunting Dogs
Labradoodles were originally created by the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia in an attempt to make a more hypoallergenic dog. Though Labradoodles are prone to less shedding than a regular Labrador Retriever and loved by people with allergies everywhere, they also inherited genes prone to love the hunt.
A further review of the Labrador Retriever and Poodle will show how these dogs have a perfect temperament and physical agility for hunting.
Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers, as their name suggests, make the perfect dog for retrieving animals on a hunt. Their love of fetching hunting game aside from just the stick in the backyard gives it an advantage over other breeds. An endless amount of energy gives the Labrador enough stamina for longer hunting days.
Eager to please, the Labrador Retriever started as a hunting dog back in the 1700s in Newfoundland. Their history stretches for decades, and those genes fortify the Labradoodle. Specifically bred for a sturdy and hardworking dog, they could maintain their stamina and agility.
Poodle
Poodles might sound more like lapdogs, but they have a long-standing history as hunting dogs. High intelligence and an eagerness to please, Poodles were used by nobility in Europe. Their waterproof coats made them the perfect water retrievers of fowl.
After a while, Poodles appeared to owners for more than their hunting ability, but for the way they look and train. Ease of training and appealing looks brought them closer to owners who would like a pet dog or to join the circus.
Training Labradoodles for Hunting
Training a Labradoodle starts at the beginning, from the first night home. These intelligent creatures need a challenge on its intelligence to ensure they’re developing properly. Basic commands should start training a Labradoodle, whether they’ll be used for hunting or not. By the time training for hunting comes along, a Labradoodle should know commands such as “sit”, “come”, “stay”, “heel”, and many others.
Once a Labradoodle understands basic commands, the time comes to train the dog for hunting uses. Some skills tested during any hunting, duck or other game will be a line of site retrieving and left / right / backcasting. Physical exercise is always a part of training as well, especially for a long day of duck hunting.
Labradoodle Duck Hunting
Labradoodles have the speed, agility, and power as perfect retrievers. Their intelligence makes them the perfect dog to train for retrieving any game, ducks included. Their nature makes them great retrievers of any sort of game during a hunt.
As with any other dog, standard skills for hunting need to be taught from the beginning. Of course, sometimes it is up to the dog on how easy and possible their training is. Getting a Labradoodle from a good breeder is the first key to finding a flawless companion for duck hunting. Not all pups are made equal, and some might prove easier to train than others.
Conclusion for Do Labradoodles hunt?
Labradoodles love the hunt! The Labrador Retriever and Poodle show an abundance of energy and high intelligence, which allows them to become perfect hunting companions. With the agility and stamina these dogs possess, they have no trouble keeping up on a day-long hunting expedition.
Not all dogs are created equal, however, and the same is with Labradoodles. Since they are a mix of purebred dogs, it’s impossible to say exactly how a litter will turn out. An experienced breeder will have more success in combining the right gene pool, but it’s prudent to look through a prior litter of puppies.
The biggest key to getting a Labradoodle prepared for long days on the hunt is training and plenty of exercise. Labradoodles require plenty of exercises, both mental and physical. Providing the right training with the right commands will make for a well-rounded Labradoodle eager for a hunt.
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Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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