"meat" dogs

I frequently hear a lot of highfalutin dog people refer to a dog as being just a "meat" dog. Like as a consolation. "I'm selling this 6 month old lab for $2k because he won't be anything more than a meat dog."

But these are the same people who have turned a means (picking up ducks) into an end (competitive dog contests), just like calling for ducks or turkey has turned has turned into a competition as well.

The point of a retriever is to get your danged ducks caus your too lazy to. That's why I have a dog at least. They are supposed to be "meat dogs." That's what they do.

Apparently what they're bred for isn't good enough.

What say ye retrieving champions?

Meat dog is saying that they won't cut it as a field trial/hunt test dog. They may not be able to run 150 yard triple retrieves or 200 yard blind retrieves, but they would make a great dog to pick up birds and run the occasional blind retrieve.

Go to a field trial or hunt test and watch some of the finished dogs work. It is amazing what people can do with a dog. It also takes countless hours and repetitions to get a dog to that level, and not every dog will have the natural skills to start with. That is why you pay for good bred dogs, instead of a yard screwing down the road.

I call my curs meat dogs too. They aren't pure completion dogs that only tree coons or squirrels. If it climbs they will tree it. I like it cause it gets rid of my nest predators and cats. I hate cats and so do the boys.

Let me start by saying that I don't like the term "meat dog". The purpose of a dog is to bring back the meat so it should be a compliment.

I guess I am one of the highfalutin dog guys because I own 3 HRCH/MH's and 3 HR retrievers. I hunt 30+ days a year and all of them get the chance to bring back the meat. Because time hunting is split between 6 dogs, they don't get as much on the job training as they would like. They actually get out of shape during hunting season.

Your retriever is missing out if you only work him during the season. The other 10 months my dogs get worked in training and get a chance to test their skills. The dogs get much more work during daylight savings time than they ever get hunting. If my dogs have shortcomings, we are able to work on the problem areas before we get to the field. The retriever events are also a lot of fun.

I hear the term "meat dog" when some yahoo brings a dog that has been in a kennel since the previous duck season. The dog barks, breaks, pees on my gun, eats ducks and is constantly running around flaring birds. The owner fills his pockets full of rocks prior to the hunt so his dog can find a duck to eat. The excuse is always "Ole Fido is just a meat dog". The term seems to come up when the hunt has been totally ruined by a dog.

Every serious dog trainer I know began training because they wanted a better duck dog. If you need any help training your dog, I would be more than happy to help.