Ernie – Yellow Labrador Retriever
Real-World Hunting Retriever | Proven Hunting Dog | Future Sire
There are hunting dogs that look impressive in a pedigree, and there are hunting dogs that prove themselves one retrieve at a time. Ernie is being developed to do both.
From an early age, Ernie has been exposed to real hunting situations rather than controlled training scenarios alone. Every season adds new birds, new terrain, new challenges, and valuable experience that continues to shape him into the kind of Labrador Retriever serious hunters appreciate.
Hunting Experience
Ernie is actively hunted throughout the year on a wide variety of wild game birds. Rather than limiting his experience to a single species, he is being developed as an all-around hunting companion capable of adapting to changing conditions.
His hunting experience includes:
- Mourning Dove
- Ducks
- Canada Geese
- Sandhill Cranes
- Feral Pigeons
- Crows
- Additional upland game as training and seasons allow
Every hunt is another opportunity to reinforce steadiness, marking ability, bird handling, and confidence under real hunting pressure.
Retrieving Ability
A Labrador Retriever’s purpose is simple—find birds and bring them back.
Ernie demonstrates:
- Excellent natural retrieving desire
- Soft mouth on birds
- Strong marking ability
- Natural game-finding instincts
- Confidence retrieving on land
- Water retrieves in varying conditions
- Calm delivery to hand
- Excellent attitude during multiple retrieves
His natural enthusiasm for retrieving has made training enjoyable while preserving the drive every hunter wants to see.
Hunting Drive
One of Ernie’s strongest qualities is his desire to hunt.
He shows:
- High prey drive
- Excellent bird focus
- Persistence on difficult retrieves
- Willingness to work long hunting days
- Strong desire to please his handler
- Confidence in new environments
His enthusiasm remains high from the first retrieve of the morning until the last bird is picked up.
Temperament
A great hunting dog should also be enjoyable to live with.
Ernie possesses the qualities many Labrador owners look for:
- Friendly personality
- Highly social
- Confident
- Intelligent
- Biddable
- Calm when not working
- Excellent family companion
His off-switch makes him as comfortable in the home as he is in the duck blind.
Training
Ernie’s development focuses on creating a dependable hunting companion rather than simply earning titles.
Current training includes:
- Basic obedience
- Heel
- Sit
- Place
- Here (Recall)
- Steadiness
- Delivery to hand
- Marking drills
- Water retrieves
- Land retrieves
- Blind manners
- Exposure to boats
- Gunfire conditioning
- Decoy exposure
- Multiple bird retrieves
Training continues throughout every hunting season to build additional experience under real hunting conditions.
Health
Ernie’s long-term breeding value begins with health.
His health program includes:
- DNA Health Testing
- Genetic Disease Screening
- Hip Evaluation
- Elbow Evaluation
- Additional health testing appropriate for Labrador Retrievers
Producing healthy hunting companions is a priority for every breeding decision.
Pedigree
Ernie comes from Labrador Retriever bloodlines selected for their hunting ability, trainability, intelligence, and natural retrieving instincts.
His pedigree represents generations of dogs developed for:
- Waterfowl hunting
- Upland hunting
- Natural marking ability
- Strong noses
- Athleticism
- Intelligence
- Sound structure
- Excellent temperament
Rather than selecting breeding dogs based solely on appearance, we value dogs that consistently demonstrate their abilities in the field.
Future Stud Prospect
As Ernie continues to mature and complete his health clearances, he is expected to become an important part of our breeding program.
Our goal is simple:
Produce Labrador Retrievers that are equally capable of becoming:
- Family companions
- Duck dogs
- Dove dogs
- Goose dogs
- Upland hunting partners
- Adventure companions
Follow Ernie’s Journey
Ernie’s training isn’t hidden behind kennel doors.
You’ll find him hunting real birds, traveling across the country, training throughout the year, and continually gaining experience that cannot be replicated in a training field alone.
From early morning dove hunts to late-season waterfowl, every hunt adds another chapter to his story.
If you’re looking for a Labrador Retriever whose abilities are proven in the field—not just promised on paper—follow Ernie’s journey as he continues to develop into the next generation of Childress Creek Kennels hunting dogs