[Ken Archer]

In another thread where someone was discussing their Lab female they said, "She........also a little small at 65 lbs." If you could pick your next FEMALE hunting dog or competitor out of a mold, what size mold would you pick from?

 

[Greg Seddon]

Ken my female Sadie is 63 lbs and I consider a nice size female for hunting ducks or running field trials with. My male Gunner is 80 lbs and consider him on the high scale of how big of a male I like for hunting and field trials.

 

[mjh345]

size

Are you asking for bitches or dogs?

 

[Miriam Wade]

I think I'd be more concerned with how the weight is distributed than just the weight itself. If it's an athletic, balanced, "runs like a deer"dog, but weighs in at 75-80#-I'll take that over a coffee table built dog- no matter what the weight -any day!

(Don't look at my avatar! I still love that dog & she could do the work, but I love now having a dog that's built to go all day! :wink: )

M

 

[lab&springerguy]

I male lab was never ment to be any bigger than 80 pounds and I feel even thats on the heavy side. My dog ways about 65 pounds.

A female should be a few pounds either side of 60 pounds. IMO

A dog any bigger than 80 pounds does not have the longevity for the fields I hunt in Western ND. form my experience

 

[Brian Cockfield]

Ken my female Sadie is 63 lbs and I consider a nice size female for hunting ducks or running field trials with. My male Gunner is 80 lbs and consider him on the high scale of how big of a male I like for hunting and field trials.

Pretty much the same for my dogs, Male 80lbs., Female 60lbs. I like males in the 70-80lb range and females in the 55-70lb range.

 

[Buzz]

I don't understand how to vote in the poll. How would you know if I'm voting for "too big" or "too small?"


I raised my eyebrows at the 65 lb bitch being too small. I think the breed standard for bitches calls for something like 55-70 lbs.

"Size - The height at the withers for a dog is 22-1/2 to 24-1/2 inches; for a bitch is 21-1/2 to 23-1/2 inches. Any variance greater than 1/2 inch above or below these heights is a disqualification. Approximate weight of dogs and bitches in working condition: dogs 65 to 80 pounds; bitches 55 to 70 pounds. "

 

[shootem]

I like a larger athletic dog. I think a lot has to do with the type of hunting you do. I see a few mention going in the field all day, I do little to no upland hunting. Most of my hunting is decoying bird?s field or water. Probably 60-70 percent of my hunting is goose hunting; yes I like a larger (long and tall) dog.

 

[HarryWilliams]

Did not vote because I only got one choice and I wasn't sure if I was voting for too big or too small. If it was the ideal size then I would have voted if there was a depends if female or male option.

45 lbs is too small and 90 lbs is too big in my opinion. HPW

 

[WingshooterMN]

My current dog is "small" at 45lbs. I didn't look for that, but really like it for hunting. Since I mostly duck hunt water, it is really nice to only have a 45lb dog in the boat, especially if it's a canoe or something.

If I did a lot of field hunting, and especially if I did more goose hunting, I would want a larger, athletic dog maybe 65-80lbs. Or, one of each. Most of my partners have dogs in the 70-90lb range so I'm covered there.

 

[Franco]

Pretty much the same for my dogs, Male 80lbs., Female 60lbs. I like males in the 70-80lb range and females in the 55-70lb range.

That is the Standard weight as set by both the AKC and Lab Club of America. Funny thing is that their members that put their dogs up in bench generally ignore the weight part of the standard.

Ideally, give me a 75 lbs dog and a 65 lbs bitch. Of course, I'm talking about dogs in sound working condition and that also have ease of movement.

 

[Rob New]

OHHHHHHHHHHHH, you mean dog size!!!!!!

:lol:

 

[larrynogaj]

weight

59 lb. golden female. Just right. You pick a lean horse for a long race.

 

[Bruce MacPherson]

I like a larger athletic dog. I think a lot has to do with the type of hunting you do. I see a few mention going in the field all day, I do little to no upland hunting. Most of my hunting is decoying bird?s field or water. Probably 60-70 percent of my hunting is goose hunting; yes I like a larger (long and tall) dog.

I'm on the same page here. We hunt big open water I favor a bigger dog.
My male goes about 86# in hunting shape and is very athletic I think a female for the type of hunting we do should be in the 65-75 lbs range

 

[Losthwy]

Ken my female Sadie is 63 lbs and I consider a nice size female for hunting ducks or running field trials with. My male Gunner is 80 lbs and consider him on the high scale of how big of a male I like for hunting and field trials.

Pretty much the same for my dogs, Male 80lbs., Female 60lbs. I like males in the 70-80lb range and females in the 55-70lb range.

Same.

And like some others did not vote for it is not clear what is being indicated by my vote.

 

[Waterdogs]

I like them 55-70 Most my dogs are smaller or lean all muscle machines but they get trained alot and are on a conditioning program. The vet always mentions how solid all my dogs are. Our upland hunting out West is very demanding on a dog, very steep hills for chukers. I look at their gate and how they travel just as you would a horse or a big running pointing dog. Their size of their heart has always made the biggest impression on me. I know then I have something to work with.

 

[Guest]

I like them a little on the smaller side. Probably more in the "medium" (65-75) class though. When you get to big a dog, it's like another person in the boat. When they're smaller it seems like they can maneuver brush and fences a little better when hunting too.

 

[lab-a-holic]

I have a small 57 pounds black male lab that I think is just perfect, he also is very well built so his body can take a lot of punishment without injuries. His only fault, if it can be considered a fault, is that he is from english lines and could have more drive. He would do well at hunt trials but could never make it at field trials. But as far as his size, which incidentally is 21 3/4 inches at the shoulders, I love it.

 

[Aussie]

:shock: The second highest vote is for a bitch weighing 90 pounds +.

Goodness!!!!!

That is BIG. But if they win, who cares?

Personally I like a moderate sized bitch, so I voted 60-69 lbs.

 

[BillJensWorkingLabs]

My current dog is "small" at 45lbs. I didn't look for that, but really like it for hunting. Since I mostly duck hunt water, it is really nice to only have a 45lb dog in the boat, especially if it's a canoe or something.

My female is also around 45lbs. and our male is about 65lbs. I consider them to be perfect size. I look at it this way. We have to carry all our gear plus share a boat with a dog. I my self only weigh 120lbs. You also have to think about lifting the dog in to the boat.

-Bill