When duck season ends, most of us clean gear, hang waders, and tell ourselves we’ll “get back to training later.” But if you train retrievers long enough, you realize something important: the end of the season is when the truth finally shows up.   The truth about what went well. The truth about what didn’t. And the truth about what your dog is ready for next.   Every season leaves fingerprints. Maybe your dog marked birds cleanly but struggled to stay steady late in the day.

Modern research in animal behavior and retriever training tells a new story about gun-shyness. The overwhelming majority of gun-shy dogs are shaped by experience, not genetics.   Studies on canine noise sensitivity show that fear responses to loud sounds are common, with nearly half of all dogs exhibiting some level of noise-related anxiety during their lifetime (Overall et al., 2013). What’s surprising is that these responses are rarely present at birth. Instead, they develo

Few milestones in a dog’s life are as critical as the first twelve weeks, especially for working Labradors destined to become serious retrievers. Recent research in canine behavior studies has shown that early experiences, socialization, and environmental exposure during this period shape not just temperament but lifelong performance and learning ability. Puppies exposed to consistent, positive stimuli demonstrate superior problem-solving, attention, and confidence, which dir

If you’ve ever watched a skilled gundog quartering cover or retrieving in icy water and wondered,  “What makes that dog so special?”  — you’re not alone. Recent canine behavior research and decades of hunting experience reveal something compelling: not all retrievers are created equal when it comes to  work ethic, instinct, and connection to the hunter . Among them, British Labrador Retrievers consistently stand out — not because of trend or tradition, but due to a blend of i

Most hunters don’t fail because they chose the wrong training program. They fail because they chose the wrong dog.   That may sound blunt, but research in canine performance and decades of field experience point to the same conclusion: genetics shape outcomes long before training ever begins. Studies in working-dog behavior show that inherited traits strongly influence learning speed, stress tolerance, and task persistence — all critical qualities in a hunting retriever (Bray

Do you ever feel like your dog vest isn’t actually  helping  your working Labrador—instead, they just cover your dog? It’s a good question, because recent research points to how important dog vests are for working labradors. A 2023 study on canine thermoregulation in working dogs found that dogs exposed to cold water conditions experienced significant drops in muscle efficiency when their core temperatures were not protected during repetitive retrieves. (University of Alaska

When researchers at Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine measured the effects of service dogs on military veterans, the results were startling. Veterans paired with trained dogs experienced significantly lower symptoms of post-traumatic stress, better sleep, and stronger social connections than those without a service dog. The study confirmed what many handlers already knew: a well-trained Labrador doesn’t just retrieve—he restores.   The Labrador retriever, wit

By Michael James Thanksgiving is a season of gathering—a time when the chill in the air nudges us closer together, when we pause to count our blessings, and when the scent of roasted turkey drifts through open windows across small towns and backroads. But for those of us who live a life tied to the outdoors, Thanksgiving carries an added weight. It’s more than a meal; it’s a reminder of the life we’ve built around faith, family, and the steady companionship of a good dog. The

At first glance, a decoy floating in a misty marsh may seem like a simple tool — but recent studies from the Smithsonian American Art Museum reveal that waterfowl carving and painting are among the most enduring forms of American folk art. What began as a utilitarian necessity for hunters evolved into an art form rich in storytelling, culture, and reverence for the natural world.   From the tidal flats of the Chesapeake to the rocky shores of New England, waterfowl art tells

The Two Paths of a Legend: American vs. British Labrador Retrievers     Walk into any duck blind or field trial and mention Labradors, and you’ll quickly find two proud camps—American and British. Both share a single purpose and a loyal heart, yet decades of breeding focus have shaped them into distinct expressions of the same remarkable breed. Recent studies in canine behavior and genetics reveal that these differences aren’t just cultural—they’re rooted in purpose, temperam

From heart-pounding retrieves in open country to the ultra-focused sniff-and-signal of scent detection, the versatile Labrador is nothing short of remarkable. Recent research underscores something thought-provoking: in one study involving 16 Labrador Retrievers, simply engaging in 30 minutes of human-dog play right after training dramatically improved their performance on a subsequent learning task—dogs in the “play” group relearned faster and with fewer errors than those who

The first shot cracked across the timber and sent a shiver through the flooded woods. Cold water lapped against Sam’s waders as he steadied himself against a cypress trunk. His breath came out white and sharp in the early light, hanging there for a moment before fading into the mist. Beside him, his yellow Lab, Briar, stood still — not trembling, not whining — just waiting, eyes locked on the empty sky. It had taken years to reach that stillness. Mallards had been working the

Oxford Gundogs’ Approach to Puppy Development   If you’ve ever watched a great Labrador in full stride on a crisp morning, retrieving with precision and focus, it’s easy to assume such skill is purely genetic. While champion bloodlines are undeniably important, the foundation for that behavior is laid far earlier — starting in the first weeks of life. Recent insights into retriever development reveal that early experiences, carefully guided, are critical to shaping dogs that

Every spring, across the prairie potholes of the upper Midwest and Canada, tens of thousands of mallards, pintails, and teal return to nest. The landscape hums with life—until it doesn’t.   Despite the promise of wet grass and open sky, fewer than one in ten duck nests on the ground ever hatch successfully. Think about that: ninety out of every hundred nests end in failure—eggs eaten, trampled, or abandoned. For decades, that loss rate has been accepted as an unfortunate fact

At Oxford Gundogs, every decision we make starts with a simple principle:  dogs are family. That’s why we are thrilled to announce our...

British Labrador Early Starts Training Methods: Setting Your Puppy Up for Success Introduction Training a British Labrador is an...

Bringing home a British Labrador puppy is an exciting and rewarding experience. Known for their calm temperament, intelligence, and...

When it comes to choosing the right hunting dog, the Labrador Retriever stands out as one of the most popular and versatile breeds....