Duck hunting can be a very rewarding sport for you to take part in. As with any other hunting , gaining whatever advantage you can prior to the hunt is instrumental to your success. Typically, waterfowl that are being hunted are not in a controlled environment. This means that you must make the journey to the birds natural habitat and feeding area. There is a home-field advantage for the ducks in this regard, as familiarity is conducive to their ability to evade and escape. One of the best things you can do to improve your hunting experience is to bring a well trained duck hunting dog along. Since these dogs usually have special attributes that are beneficial to hunting, they give you an advantage in the field and marsh. Below is a look at a superb waterfowl hunting dog breed and what you need to know about it.

The Labrador Retriever

There is no other dog breed that is as universally accepted as the Labrador Retriever in the world of  waterfowl hunting. There is no better-suited dog for the sport, and once you take the right steps to prepare it for the duck hunting, you can expect to have a rewarding experience. In fact, Labrador Retrievers were initially bred for marking, retrieval, and delivering to hand the downed ducks.

The Breed’s  Blood Line

The first thing is the dog’s ancestry. Though these retrievers were initially bred for hunting, there are multiple lines that are available. When selecting your puppy, ensure that the one you get is from the good blood and hunting line, so you don’t end up disappointed. Note that Labrador Retrievers mature much faster than many others, so do not worry about how long it may take for the dog to develop.

Train Yourself or Professional Trainer?

Even though a dog may be suited to a purpose, without adequate training, it cannot perform the purpose well. You need to decide whether you want to train the dog yourself or have it done professionally with a retriever training service. The professionals can give you the best results as they have years of experience. However, you lose out on the bond you can form with the animal if you were to train it yourself. Labrador Retrievers are incredible family dogs as well, so having one as a pet is also beneficial. Don’t worry if you’re no professional, as there is adequate information available to help you along the way.

Health Tips

Apart from feeding and cosmetic tasks, you need to ensure that you keep your dog safe in the field. This is all in experience and education.

Barbed wire, for example, is the top injury-causing issue for hunting dogs. You need to help your dog to traverse them safely. In this regard, also watch for things like thorns and briars, especially since you only see injuries after the fact.