I try to train a new dog every two years to maintain a team of three or four at any time. One has been retired this year as deaf so back down to three working. Had a telephone call from a pal ten days ago offering me a dog as she had too many in the kennels and this little chap…Jack….wouldn't get the attention he needed. 
 

So Jack arrived here on Thursday. What a little sweetly! Lovely nature, follows me everywhere and if I dare sit down tries to lick me to death. Pedigree is 95% red ink so the potential is there I just need to realise it! All down to me now.

Edited February 10, 20241 yr by Dave at kelton
Ommission

Lovely looking dog 

when you train him.........use hand signals at the same time........then if he goes deaf you can still use him..........ask me why i know.....(spaniels)

Nice looking pup Dave , have you always had Yellow labs ? 

Good looking fella. Best of luck with him.

On 10/02/2024 at 16:23, Dave at kelton said:

I try to train a new dog every two years to maintain a team of three or four at any time. One has been retired this year as deaf so back down to three working. Had a telephone call from a pal ten days ago offering me a dog as she had too many in the kennels and this little chap…Jack….wouldn't get the attention he needed. 
 

So Jack arrived here on Thursday. What a little sweetly! Lovely nature, follows me everywhere and if I dare sit down tries to lick me to death. Pedigree is 95% red ink so the potential is there I just need to realise it! All down to me now.

Nice sturdy looking dog, that.

A nice yellow, too, just dark enough, but not orange.

Edited February 13, 20241 yr by Penelope

On 10/02/2024 at 20:44, marsh man said:

Nice looking pup Dave , have you always had Yellow labs ? 

Thanks! My first was black but I prefer yellow on the Merse. I started with springers then decide I valued my mental health too much and moved over?? When I started with yellows thirty something years ago they were a novelty in the field. Now they are everywhere it seems! 

8 minutes ago, Dave at kelton said:

Thanks! My first was black but I prefer yellow on the Merse. I started with springers then decide I valued my mental health too much and moved over?? When I started with yellows thirty something years ago they were a novelty in the field. Now they are everywhere it seems! 

I did things the other way. Fifty years ago my first Lab was yellow and a dog. All since have been black bitches. I think you are right though and yellow is a better colour for the marsh, but I reckon blacks look smarter in the field.

I prefer yellow, it's easier to tell which one is which when you're sweeping after drives.

48 minutes ago, PERCE said:

I prefer yellow, it's easier to tell which one is which when you're sweeping after drives.

“Come here you black *******!” seems to work for all of them!

3 hours ago, London Best said:

“Come here you black *******!” seems to work for all of them!

I've found having to shout at a dog whilst picking up is counter productive. If you have a dog that needs shouting at, it usually doesn't listen & all that happens is all the softer dogs all come rolling back to heel instead of being out hunting.

I find that I can instantly know which dog it is at distance & if I think it's on something based on it's movements, some dogs I trust more than others. The right dog looking like it's on something, we hang around a bit longer before moving on.

I do have a black dog but only the one.

2 hours ago, PERCE said:

I've found having to shout at a dog whilst picking up is counter productive. If you have a dog that needs shouting at, it usually doesn't listen & all that happens is all the softer dogs all come rolling back to heel instead of being out hunting.

I find that I can instantly know which dog it is at distance & if I think it's on something based on it's movements, some dogs I trust more than others. The right dog looking like it's on something, we hang around a bit longer before moving on.

I do have a black dog but only the one.

I was posting a joke. You won’t hear me shouting at dogs when picking-up.