I was just wondering, i have a 5 and a half month old lab bitch, who is 49cm to the shoulder, whats the average height at this age, is she too small? how much more will she grow?

thanks

How long is your bit of string GemsDogs? I have seen Labradors in the ring nearly full grown at six months. On the other hand my Labradors never finish growing until two years old. It is almost impossble to answer your question. Your bitch is 19.25 inches tall. Full grown she should finish up at 21.5 to 22 inches. My guess, and its only a guess, is that she will finish somewhere not far out.

Regards, John

OK thanks :)

We can only hope, and leave it to nature GemsDogs. :)
My Anna was full size at 9 months and I was hoping I had picked an early maturing bitch. She continued growing until two years old and is nearly 3 inches over breed standard height! We get what we get, and I have a dog who can clear a four foot fence with a Pheasant in her mouth just as easily as if she's stepping over a Buttercup.

Regards, John

My ruby is a field trial bitch, shes fox red, i train a few of our shooting dogs at the kennels, but have no experience with training pups for the field, any ideas?? have i left it too late?

thanks

At five and a half months old you are certainly not too late. I do a little play retrieve with a very young puppy but as soon as the teeth start changing I stop all retrieving until the adult teeth are through. I would guess that this is just about where your puppy is now. During the teething stage all I do is general obedience, walking to heel, stays and recalls. Once the teeth are through I can start the serious training.

Regards, John

thanks john, Im doing just basic whistle recalls at the moment, i must say this is the first puppy field lab i have brought up (always had shows), her intelligance is amazing! 
I also have a black bitch but i didnt train her.

Ive also got her to sit with a whistle command, but havent done anything else yet.
Im sure ill be back for more help once all her teeth are through,

out of interest what lines are your dogs from?

I only have Anna at the moment, having lost my old Lucy a few years ago and not been in a position to get another puppy since. Anna is by Baildonian Baron of Craighorn. Baron you may remember was runner up in the Retriever Championship (1997 I believe?)

I must say gundog training is great fun and something the dogs really enjoy. I also thing that a well trained gundog is rather more than just a dog! Anna and I have so much fun with working tests in summer and picking up during the winter. As you say, a good working dog is so clever and of course the training adds to that.

Regards, John