[Bruce MacPherson]

Which dog would you rather have? A great marker that runs mediocre blinds or a mediocre marker that runs great blinds.

 

[JeffLusk]

great marker with so so blinds.. but that might be because i dont know much yet..

 

[Mike Tome]

For hunting???? Most birds we shoot fall in or near the decoys. The odd bird sails out a ways and goes down. So, you can get by with a mediocre marker for those in the decoys and a good handling dog for the sailers...

But... I'm fortunate to have a very good marking dog that loves to run blinds....

 

[lablover]

For hunting, you need a blind running fool!

For the "games" you need a marking dog first, blind runner second.

Just MHO, of course.

 

[Howard N]

For hunting, you need a blind running fool!

For the "games" you need a marking dog first, blind runner second.

Just MHO, of course.

Mine too

 

[JMoore]

great marker. if the dog can't mark you'll never get to the next series to run the blind.

 

[Dale]

Hell I have both. It's the same dog just depends on what day of the week it is. Or which personality show up at any given moment.

 

[JS]

No-brainer. Give me the marker. I'll teach 'em to run blinds.

 

[Leddyman]

When I bought my dog I paid for memory and marking ability. (I know you can't guarantee that but that's what pedigrees are for)

I expect to be able to teach him the rest. I hope I paid for a dog that can run a straight line! His daddy can, and his momma is a MH.

 

[BonMallari]

No-brainer. Give me the marker. I'll teach 'em to run blinds.

+ 1...same here

 

[DSMITH1651]

give me the marker, I am primarily a hunter, and one thing i do not want to be doing is standing on my blind blowing a whistle and waving my hands unless i have no choice, i have had that dog that can mark 4-5 birds down at once, but was so stubborn the only thing on a blind you could do was get her going the right direction. good luck handling a dog in the cattails in one of my favorite duck spots you loose site of them the minute they get in them. so good luck, Maggie kept up with 5 hunters in one boat. the only season i kept track she lost 4 ducks and retrieved 238 not bad for a dog in MN. legacy6 can attest to her marking skills as he was Thayer for most of that season. that being said a better trainer would have been able to train her to be more honest on blinds, and now that i am getting into ht i value handling much more but my point stays the same i would rather be hunting then handling. i just wish that i could find another dog like that. high hopes for the new pup ace. and i hope i am a good enough trainer to have a dog that can do both ace has shown good traits in her marking. marking is a trait They are born with, handling can be taught.
just my .02
Duane
god bless the dogs

 

[Rick Hall]

Give this hunter the great marker. The better they mark, the less we have to handle.

 

[fishduck]

Give me a dog that runs great blinds for hunting. Most of the ducks are shot while the dog and I are visiting the little boys room. Not to mention the ones I shoot while she is rooting a cripple out of cover. Or the ones shot on the other side of the blind where her vision is blocked.

For the games give me a marking dog.

Mark L.

 

[Sundown49 aka Otey B]

Marker first..blinds can be trained.

 

[obxdog]

A good marker with an excellent nose works best for me for hunting, even if she doesn't take every cast, if I can get her close to downed bird she will find it. Of course I am talking some ability to handle not a complete train wreck on handling. For Hunt test especially MH, a good handling dog with mediocre marking ability will more likely pass than the marker that handles poorly, even though marking and memory are of the upmost importance in retrievers, according to AKC. For FT to be competetive in opens and am's you better be able to do both well.

 

[FOM]

Another one for a marker - I can work on improving blinds, marking there is only so much you can do....

FOM

 

[Moosetogooseranch]

A marker and a Dog thats Eager to Please.

 

[Jon Couch]

I've never seen a dog yet that can just run a blind with out being taught, but most (well bred) pups will mark! Another vote for marking first.

 

[Devlin]

From a hunter: add another in for a great marker first...and one that has also been taught to handle really well!