wyatt Posted July 14, 2015 Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 Afternoon all, Apologies if this has been covered before but with it being specific to me and my family I felt it best to start my own thread. We're planning to get a dog over the next year or so, the more knowledge I can gather before the better choice I can make. As you can guess I shoot, so would be looking towards a working dog however: 2 three year old girs Family pet primarily that would hopefully acompany me out shooting (pigeon and rough, no driven game). I work from home so it would be with company the majority of the time, however I am out for the whole day with work so would need to be able to be on its own. I realise that this is a training thing but a calm dog would be best! House dog, kennel too risky by me. Probably prefer short haired, wife works so can't clean all the time! Possibly have a nose to track with, I recently had some shots I would have liked to have followed up. Fortunately I have a colleague who's ESS can follow a trail. Dog not bitch (none-negotiable!). Long list as you can see! I've no doubt there is a dog that'd fit the whole set, but some ideas of what I'm looking for would be greatly received. I may end up with a puppy from a rescue centre that has nothing to do with shooting, either way prior planning and all that.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aled Posted July 14, 2015 Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 May be worth knowing: Battersea Dogs home assess dogs for working suitability, and unlike some (not all) rescue centres will rehome to shooting families. Cheers Aled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danger-Mouse Posted July 14, 2015 Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 A couple of articles that might provide a little food for thought. They certainly fit your criteria. http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/gundogs/gundog-breeds/gundog-breeds-why-buy-a-weimaraner-9496 http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/gundogs/gundog-breeds/continental-pointers-in-action-42826 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted July 14, 2015 Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 It would be very difficult to train a dog to a decent standard if it is living in house with two small children , it will take a great deal of discipline to set and maintain the ground rules needed , it can be done but it will be hard work . I am not sure what you are saying with working from home but being away all day ?? As for a dog that would fit all your requirements perfectly , probably not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted July 14, 2015 Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 A couple of articles that might provide a little food for thought. They certainly fit your criteria. http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/gundogs/gundog-breeds/gundog-breeds-why-buy-a-weimaraner-9496 http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/gundogs/gundog-breeds/continental-pointers-in-action-42826 I don't think either of those breeds would be a good choice for someone with the OP's circumstances , Weimaraner's in particular can be very boisterous , need a huge amount of exercise and can be difficult to train at the best of times . I would imagine most of the HPR's could be classed the same way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted July 14, 2015 Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 A Labrador. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danger-Mouse Posted July 14, 2015 Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 I don't think either of those breeds would be a good choice for someone with the OP's circumstances , Weimaraner's in particular can be very boisterous , need a huge amount of exercise and can be difficult to train at the best of times . I would imagine most of the HPR's could be classed the same way. Ah ok, I bow to your experience. I just thought they ticked quite a few of the OP`s boxes ie for a short-haired gun dog with the ability to track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted July 14, 2015 Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 A Labrador. The wife would certainly be cleaning when it was moulting though ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted July 14, 2015 Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 True. I have enough black hairs at the GF's for two wigs, one long and the other shorter so it looks like I've had a cut. Would fit the bill in the other respects though. The wife would certainly be cleaning when it was moulting though ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted July 14, 2015 Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 True. I have enough black hairs at the GF's for two wigs, one long and the other shorter so it looks like I've had a cut. Would fit the bill in the other respects though. Temperament wise a lab would be a good dog with children , especially if it was a older dog . Young dogs can be very big and strong and again boisterous mine has knocked me on my backside before now so I can see where a three year old could be injured even though not intentional , very difficult to think of an ideal dog ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyatt Posted July 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 I am not sure what you are saying with working from home but being away all day ?? I work from home the majority of the time, however on occasions there is the need to visit a customers site. These have and are reducing but I am still out sometimes all day. I am also very aware of the issues that would be encountered mixing training and a young family which is why I am looking into this as early as possible, I may train the kids instead.. I'll have a read over the posts, thanks for you time so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted July 14, 2015 Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 My assumption was that it would be a pup and not an adult dog. Temperament wise a lab would be a good dog with children , especially if it was a older dog . Young dogs can be very big and strong and again boisterous mine has knocked me on my backside before now so I can see where a three year old could be injured even though not intentional , very difficult to think of an ideal dog ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckandswing Posted July 14, 2015 Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 I am quite fond of beagles. They can be stubborn but they are surprisingly good when working. Good with kids too and not too big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert 888 Posted July 14, 2015 Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 Personally I wouldn't have a rescue dog,expecially around small children,you don't know what the dog may have been through before you had it. What about a cocker,lab or at a push a springer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted July 14, 2015 Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 End of day with the right training etc almost any breed would do wot u want but some are a lot easier than others. The 1 thing i'd say is no matter wot breed u get never ever trust them 100% with kids or leave them alone. I'd also rethink ur kennel idea, dogs generally like a kennel/run where they are safe and get peace and quiet from kids, even if only in it for a few hours some days still there if u go away. Seen plenty of very decent gundogs brought up in houses alongside kids, it can be done and the dogs generally know the difference and behave differently with u when training/working and playing with family. Even if in house will still need a 'safe' area it can go to get away from the kids personally i'd get a good old fashioned working lab, not too well bred of decent working stock, calm and easy to train will blood track no problem as well as beat/flush birds etc, usually easily trained dogs that want to please u. Spaniels a bit more hyer and i think springers are generally better/more laid back than cockers (plus a lot of poor cockers being bred from nowadys and many squeak/whine) Stay away from hpr's nomatter how cute they look, can be a real handful and not ideal for a 1st time handler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted July 14, 2015 Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 I have a pair of gwp's live in and we have a 2 year old. She is all over them and sits on them and they adore her. But you have to make sure she doesn't pull their beards too much. She can get between them and food and no issues, it is very much how you bring them up and it's good bringing a puppy in and it growing up with children. I wouldn't want to re home an older dog in your situation. The other thing I think is larger dogs are less likely to get hurt by children so are less worried about them. What suits your situation I don't really know but get the dog you want as much as one that fits the shooting bill. One thing is for sure your children will get a lot out of having a dog in the household Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scobydog Posted July 14, 2015 Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 I have a 18 mth old springer and 2 daughters who are 9 and 10, we often get younger kids visiting and it can get a bit loud, the dog just wanders off to his safe place (utility room) and stays on his bed. All the kids are told not to disturb him when he goes in there, you just have to lay down the ground rules from day 1, if you can give him a safe place for peace and quiet then do so, he lives in the house but is fully trained for working and as soon as the shotgun comes out and he has a quick smell of it and he is a different dog, totally focused on hunting and working, when he gets back he is inundated with cuddles and stroking and absolutely loves it. Good luck with your choice and hope it works out, plenty of advice on this forum off some very helpful people. S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fredwalton Posted July 14, 2015 Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 Although we don't have kids yet I work in a boarding school so there are always kids about but we have a year old springador who is a great little dog. He is very intelligent and with some proper training I think he would make a cracking gun dog, but is also a great mix of dog as you get the energy of the springer but the loving ness of the lab. As I said if I had the patience I really do think he could be a good dog to take out pigeon and rough shooting and still be a family dog as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoggysreels Posted July 14, 2015 Report Share Posted July 14, 2015 Poodle ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanj Posted July 15, 2015 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Afternoon all, Apologies if this has been covered before but with it being specific to me and my family I felt it best to start my own thread. We're planning to get a dog over the next year or so, the more knowledge I can gather before the better choice I can make. As you can guess I shoot, so would be looking towards a working dog however: 2 three year old girs Family pet primarily that would hopefully acompany me out shooting (pigeon and rough, no driven game). I work from home so it would be with company the majority of the time, however I am out for the whole day with work so would need to be able to be on its own. I realise that this is a training thing but a calm dog would be best! House dog, kennel too risky by me. Probably prefer short haired, wife works so can't clean all the time! Possibly have a nose to track with, I recently had some shots I would have liked to have followed up. Fortunately I have a colleague who's ESS can follow a trail. Dog not bitch (none-negotiable!). Long list as you can see! I've no doubt there is a dog that'd fit the whole set, but some ideas of what I'm looking for would be greatly received. I may end up with a puppy from a rescue centre that has nothing to do with shooting, either way prior planning and all that.. Contact Bigbird on here, she has a couple of cracking springer spaniel pups going .................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danger-Mouse Posted July 15, 2015 Report Share Posted July 15, 2015 Contact Bigbird on here, she has a couple of cracking springer spaniel pups going .................... He said he wants a calm dog. Not sure a Bigbird bred, manic spaniel fits that bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferguson_tom Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 (edited) I would suggest stay clear of springer spaniels, they are fantastic dogs and family pets but I found with 2 young children ours was just too much. I had springers as a kid so knew what I was getting myself into but I was a bit older when we had ours so could help my parents taking them for walks etc as they need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. I lost count the number of times she knocked our son over by accident when he was little. Cockers in general seem a bit more relaxed. Not a hunting breed but I have a welsh collie and I could not ask for a better dog, he is now 4 and my kids are 2.1/2 & 1. They seem to have a more laid back and gentle temperament compared to borders. Contrary to popular belief they do not need walking 10 miles a day the mental stimulation is more important. They can also be trained to retrieve pigeon but are hard mouthed, dont know what they are like as a trail dog but he does have a fantastic nose and seems to be able to find dead stuff from miles away to roll in. What ever dog you go for though training the children is just as important as training the dog. They need to know the dogs not there play thing and give the dog his own space where he can go to when he has had enough. If your getting a pup I would also recommend going to a dog training club, it helps socialise the dogs, trains you how to train them and means the dog gets used to distractions from a young age. Edited July 16, 2015 by ferguson_tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/315685-18-month-old-yellow-labrador-bitch/ What about this one if still available. Good with kids too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 (edited) People will always push their favourite. The worlds favourite Pet and also working dog is a Labrador though and it has achieved this as a relatively new breed. Downsides are you can easy over feed them and you must get one with Hip and elbow scores from both parents and at minimum one parent DNA eye tested (not just vet checked on eyes). Two youngsters? get a pup and teach it from the get go that the young uns aint toys or playmates but protected members of YOUR pack. Its an interesting point and one that can switch as my youngest has grown she is no longer the protected one but a higher ranking member as a ten year old. IMO little kids should not command dogs till they reach this stage and I always put the dog away when we have other youngsters about as dogs can mis-read things in interactions. The best thing of all is if you give a good lab nothing to do like if your on with paperwork they will just find some place to have a sleep. Molting? well as dogs go they are very good if groomed but an outside living dog brought into a warm house will always tend t0 molt! Winter or summer, they are just taking their coat off all said and done. I have fiends with Labs that don't live outside and don't work in harsh conditions and they are just great. BTW, had a lovely 1 yr old GSD bitch here yesterday and if it wasn't for my working requirements.......... she was lovely and very level headed even shared kennel space with mine. people even PPD handlers I know say no good but its largely how you bring a dog up, hence get a pup Edited July 16, 2015 by kent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Wilksy Posted July 16, 2015 Report Share Posted July 16, 2015 Now I know nowt about dogs but as said above, what about cockerpoo's, labradoodles? That sort of thing don't shed hair as far as I know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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