Labrador Retriever for falconry hunting
Do you need a Labrador Retriever for falconry hunting?
Well, there is a discussion in the falconry community if you need a retriever when you practice falconry.
If you fly falcons, then a retriever is a must. A labrador retriever is as important for the falconer as it is for the gun hunter.
In my practice it has shown that around half of game in the bag can be contributed to the dog.
A lab will assist with flushing and retrieving ducks and upland birds. He will flush ducks that otherwise would never leave the water.
Then, ducks that have been knocked into the weeds can be recovered. It’s part of ethical hunting to pursue and recover any game that may be
injured. A good labrador will recover any injured game.
The same applies to hunting upland game. Pheasants, especially the once that are hunted and educated by falcons or hawks will not flush
by stumping to the grass. A lab will get any of them going.
How to choose the perfect falconry Labrador ?
Nose
A good nose goes a long way. The lab should mark live or wounded birds at 20 yards or more.
Only testing in the field will show the quality of the labrador’s scenting abilities.
Drive and temperament
The lab needs to have good drive and bird sense. This doen’t mean he needs to have a title studded field trial pedigree.
Most labradors have good retrieving drive. However, full field trial dogs are too hyper to be calm around the falcon.
Full show dogs don’t have enough stamina to work all day. The best bird dogs are service dog type labs. They should have around 50/50 genetics.
Inteligence and training
Not all labs are created equal this way. The labrador needs to work independently. The lab needs to mark any bird that is knocked down and work it independently, without a lot of directions from the handler. I’m busy to recover the falcon after the flight.