All but the most dedicated waterfowlers have put their hunting fear up for the year.

There are still a few hanging on to what remains of the conservation goose season, but the rest of us are already counting the days until teal season. This is when many duck hunters begin to reflect back on the previous season with all of the ups and downs, highs and lows. It is also when many hunters decide that it is time to buy a duck dog.

Most avid duck hunters will eventually break down and purchase a Labrador retriever for duck hunting. There are other breeds that can get the job done such as the Golden Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and even a few pointing dogs. However, the fact is that when it comes to duck hunting, the Labrador Retriever has been, is currently, and will probably always be the King of Duck Dogs!

The Labrador Retriever has been the number one dog breed in the United States for 28 years in a row! There is a lot to love about Labradors. What exactly is it that makes these dogs so desirable?

First, they are absolutely beautiful dogs. The American Kennel Club recognizes three colors of these beautiful dogs: black, chocolate, or yellow. In this sense, they remind me of ice cream… there is a flavor for everyone!

I have heard countless arguments on how one color is better than another, but based on my experience of training well over a thousand labs, this simply isn’t true. There are good and bad dogs in every color. When you think about it, it’s the same with people. It is not the color of our skin that is important but rather what is in our heart that matters.

Most labs have a short tight coat that is much easier to manage than their distant cousin, the Golden Retriever. This short coat is easier to maintain, especially when it comes to hunting around briars and various stickers. No doubt about it, Labradors shed a great deal, but if you keep up with grooming, the shedding can be manageable.

Besides just good looks, a Labrador’s shiny coat has a purpose. The reason it shines is because there are oils in the coat. These oils act as a water repellant. Once a lab gets out of the water, he simply shakes off and is dry in minutes.

Labradors have a “double layer” to their coat as well. They have an under coat that serves as insulation to keep them warm in the winter months as well as protect them from the cold water. Their hairs are also hollow, which helps with temperature regulation as well.

In fact, the more I study the characteristics of the Labradors coat, the more I am convinced that God himself must have created these dogs to be used to hunt ducks! They are simply built for the job!

Not only do they have good looks and a great coat, Labradors have a powerful tail. Their tails are used for more than wagging because they are happy or shooing away flies like a horse. A Labrador’s tail is used to help make him a strong swimmer. He uses it as a rudder to help him navigate the marshes and lakes. This is a big advantage over dogs that have shorter, weaker tails.

What else makes him a good hunter? He has a great nose. Not just a pretty nose, but rather one that is highly functional. Labradors have a great scenting ability. Every duck hunter who has ever seen a lab sniff out a cripple duck has observed the power of their nose.

Because of their great noses, labs have been used by our military to sniff out bombs, by police departments to sniff out drugs, by border patrol agents to track illegal aliens, and by search and rescue teams to find trapped bodies after disaster. They have also been used to help alert diabetics as to when their blood sugar is out of control. Labradors can do all of this with their noses.

What else makes Labradors the top pick? They come in many shapes and sizes. Labradors range from 40 pounds to over a hundred pounds with most falling somewhere in the middle ranges. Some have long legs that are great for running through the deep mud, and others have short legs. Rather you want a big dog for tackling greater Canadian geese or a small dog to fit easily in your pirogue, there is a Labrador out there that is the perfect size for you.

These are all physical attributes that God has given the Labrador retriever. However, when it comes down to it, the thing I love most about labs is their desire to please.

They are super friendly and fun to be around. They are highly intelligent and super trainable. Most of all, they simply want to please!

What is not to like about a beautiful animal that is built for the job and has a desire to make its owner happy? No wonder Labradors are king!

If you are looking for a dog that will make not only your duck season better, but will improve your whole life, then I recommend you purchase a Labrador Retriever!
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Brian Johnson, originally of Port Neches, is pastor of First Baptist Church of Winnie, owner of DuckDogTrainer.com and outdoors writer for The News.