Pointing Labs

Do Labs point?  There are specific lines of Labrador retrievers that do point. 

Do Labrador Retrievers Point?

Reports of Labrador Retrievers pointing date back to the 1940’s.  Just as many pointing breeds love to retrieve; it is not unusual for many retrievers to love to point.  The typical debate with hunters, trainers, and breeders is not whether the Lab will point but that the point is not as staunch as some pointing breeds.  Regardless, it’s a point!

There is some investigation into genetic markets to assess whether a dog has the gene for pointing.  To date nothing definitive has been published regarding genetic marker findings. 

Most Pointing Labs will show a tendency to point early when they are exposed to live birds in the field.  As with any breed, it is important to make sure the dog works with a skilled trainer to develop the dog’s natural abilities.  It is up to the trainer to bring out the dogs eagerness, style and boldness in the point.  It is the training, or lack of, that affects the intensity and staunchness of the Pointing Lab or any pointing breed. 

You want your Pointing Lab to have a good nose that can strike a point 4-5 feet out in the scent cone and then hold the point for as long as the bird is there.  A well trained Pointing Lab will wait for the hunter to find, flush and shoot.  A Pointing Labrador recently won the National Hunting Dog Association Finals, in the division open to all pointing dogs.  This certainly gives the Pointing Lab its due.

A well bred and trained Pointing lab will point with style and intensity that is second to none.  They will back and honor the work of another dog and they will hold a point for as long as necessary.  If you want top breeding, look for a line that can boast that their dogs are APLA certified.  In addition, a good breeder will have numerous Grand Master Pointing Retrievers in the blood line as well as AKC master Hunter, Hunter Retriever Champions, and other recognized field awards. 

The Pointing Lab is an amazing dog.  With appropriate training they offer all the style and class of any pointer with the wonderful disposition of the lab.  The hunter can hunt the waterfowl in the morning and uplands in the afternoon.  All with the same incredible lab.   

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