the only purebred I've ever had (and the only dog I ever paid $s for)has the biggest health problem of all my dogs (knee dysplasia- common in Goldens)

He does have a heckuva nose though and obeys commands like a champ- i just wonder what some of my mutts could have done if I spent as much time field training them

Pound puppies make awesome gun dogs, just see my post at http://www.outdoorwriter.net/?p=227 . But, you've gotta get them young like "mutt" said above. Gun shyness is something almost impossible to break. But, hog doggers will tell you that any mutt with a little of the right breed in it will perform. They don't spend thousands on bay dogs because they could end up at the wrong end of a tusk at anytime.

But, there's a great difference in the connection a hog dogger has with his dogs, and a waterfowler or upland hunter has with his. My dog, a labrador, is my friend first and my retriever second. There's plenty of friends waiting at the pound for anyone. I actually just acquired a basset-lab-mix from my neighbor's who were going to take him to the pound. He's been watching my lab in the field and already doesn't flinch around loud noises. I plan on having him retrieving by the fall.

Drew Hall
www.outdoorwriter.net

i got my pup from a breeder, but am leaning toward a pound pup for dog #2. i meet so many amazing rescues walking in my neighborhood; it's hard to justify NOT going to a pound, humane society, or other rescue org.

You have a mutt!
There are many breeds that went into your Boykin. It wasn't long ago that Springers and Labs were bred into the genepool.

Well that all depends on what you are doing with your dog. If you're looking for a buddy I see no reason not to go to the pound. And I have seen some really good retrievers and pointers with no papers but If you are in the hunt test game your dog has to be purebred for the ones I run and these folks breed these dogs on purpose. I would love to say that any old dog will do and of course all the training you put in will show in any dog but I want the traits my dog exhibits and have found a dog with a like mind and am hoping for pups soon. But at the same time I now own that one dog people say you only get once in a lifetime right now so whatever I do I'm probably hosed! LOL I say love your dog wherever they come from.

I've had two purebreds, first was a black lab when I was in high school. Never hunted her but she was my best friend. Second is the cocker spaniel we've got now. Not a hunter at all, was supposed to be my wife's lap dog. This February my wife got me one of the best birthday gifts ever. She knows I've wanted another big dog for years so while were at the pet store picking up some stuff I was in the parking lot playing with a 10 week old 22lb "lab mix". While I was messing with him she came up and asked me what my work phone number was. "Why", her response, "Happy Birthday, you've finally got your big dog". He's just over five months now, right around 60lbs and a holy freaking terror!! He's a pup and I'm working on getting him straight. I love that big dummy. He won't be a gun dog simply because I don't have any place to hunt birds anymore. As for the "lab mix", maybe but I swear he's got some kind of hound in him and who knows what else. Probably won't ever get another purebred. I'll put some of his pictures on my account.

I've had purebred labs all my life. I recently got married and had to acclimate to apartment life so I was distraught as most guys are when their significant others demand a toy dog. We started off with a miniature schnauzer. She was great, except for her separation issues. A few months later we got her a companion, a Schneagle, mainly because the poor little guy was the ugly duckling of his litter and was on his third month in that little cage at the pet store. He is turning out to be one of the best dogs I've owned. Where a lab at his age has their own agenda and soaring energy levels, he is already pretty in tune with what I want him to do without having to say anything. Alas, he is primarily a little froo froo indoor dog whose main purpose is to keep the wife occupied. Point is, I don't mind him one bit.

I've owned all different shapes, sizes, and colors of dogs. I never got real big into bird hunting other than duck which I have 2 labs for. I also raise coon hounds which are all purebred Walkers. I would like to try a rescue scent hound sometime in the future, but I am wary about it since so much goes into genetics and breeding of these dogs. Ever since I was a kid we always have a mutt or 2 running around the place, though. Still got the 3 legged mutt I got in middle school. He's old enough to think he's the boss so I don't argue with him anymore lol.

Go to petfinder.com

It's a site where you can find adoptable animals. Just do a search for the breed you want.

Just with humans, individuality is important, and I wouldn't rule out puppies from the pound as potential gun dogs. I have seen some OCD ADHD purebreeds that were awful pets and very challenging to control in the field. Recessive genes expressed in inbred dogs can make for a dog whose brain functions irregularly and these dogs are beyond shock collars. Energy without discipline, enthusiasm without structure, endurance without exercise, are symptoms of nurture that can be made worse by nature. Don't pick the puppy that follows his tail for over 3 revolutions.

I've got all three.....A purebred from a line that includes a hall-of-famer....An adopted Mix Breed...and an adopted purebred...All are great dogs and I love them all.....But I must admit.....the grand-dog of the hall of famer is far superior...He was bred to hunt and is now learning agility...the course is too easy for his ability...but his head is thinking birds and stops to chase and point them. Ironically, I acquired the purebred after trying to adopt one from rescue and was made to feel like I had to jump through hoops to get one of there dogs. Eventually I did adopt a purebred from another group after first fostering him....I don't think that anyone else was ever going to want him....I have no guilt...no reason to.