ghosthunter Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 (edited) I'm looking for a dog that will retrieve fowl from marshes but also flush game (with training obviously). Has anyone here got experience of Welsh Springers and if so will it do what I need of it? Edited November 2, 2015 by ghosthunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 Yes I had one many years ago, predominantly as a pet. It is highly unlikely you will find one bred to do what you want. Lab or ESS you best bet, in that order if retrieving on the marsh is your primary requirement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aled Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 A friend of mine had one here in West Wales, which he took rough shooing. The dog would work to cover and was not gun shy, but I did not see it retrieve ( it was not given the chance though). Best I can offer I'm afraid. Cheers Aled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Codeye Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 I had one years ago he used to dive down under water for stones he would fetch anything back and could find a needle in a haystack he was a fantastic swimmer because he had webbed feet but he was prone to bouts of utter nutiness thinking he was still a pup right up to passing away but overall he was a fantastic dog but then again you can get most breeds to do your bidding if so inclined if I was you id bite the bullet and go for it what could go wrong !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 Yes I had one many years ago, predominantly as a pet. It is highly unlikely you will find one bred to do what you want. Lab or ESS you best bet, in that order if retrieving on the marsh is your primary requirement. Agreed , I would buy either a ESS or a Lab depending on what the vast majority of your shooting will be . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootingEgg Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 We have had a welsh. She was a show breed so useless. And I thinkmost of the lines have gone that Way... Lab or a bigger ess would be my choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghosthunter Posted November 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 I think an ESS is probably the way forward then. Been looking about and am surprised you can pay the same for a non kc bitch as you can a kc reg one. Also seen an odd part trained one at not much more than a pup too but that sold fast. I'm on the lookout for one that's had everything done like tail docked, dew claws removed, chipped etc etc.. Must be a bitch so as not to cause trouble with my rottie... Been looking around like I say but not seen anything that I like (and afford) that's close enough... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teal27 Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 Why not a cocker? Mines just turned one and is very good at retrieves and flushing. I use her on the marsh every now and then and she flushes all game, she is still learning and improves All the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghosthunter Posted November 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 ESS seem to be a little bigger which I guess may make them a stronger swimmer plus they should be able to carry bigger birds back easier... Cocker and ESS seem to be the main 2 spaniels to go for and looking for a first gundog, making the choice is overwhelming. The ESS also seem to be a little cheaper on the pocket too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 Talk of swimming and bigger birds makes me think you need a lab.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghosthunter Posted November 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 Truth be known I need both however I can only have one. Ideal world Id have 2 but with a rottie & 2 horses id have to stop shooting to have time to look after them all I have a pal with a lab and we shoot together a bit and the flushing/hunting strengths of a spaniel but still with a half decent retrieve will fit in better. Plus if I do get any spare time I could train it further beating on other shoots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fal Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 The spaniels I have seen out on the marsh don't like sitting still for long periods of time, most labs, when mature enough will sit for hours without a complaint. If the majority of my shooting was marsh shooting, Lab would be my no1 choice. I would never take my springer to the marsh unless I was desperate, it would give me a bad head!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sambaker1993 Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 Call for mr pair What about a visla ? A cocker or a springer would be good to its down to choice and what you want to do , spaniels are great for flushing tho ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghosthunter Posted November 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 Call for mr pair What about a visla ? A cocker or a springer would be good to its down to choice and what you want to do , spaniels are great for flushing tho ...... Mr Pair Or there is the choice of a x breed and grabbing a springador.... or, I could just leave all the dog work to you haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghosthunter Posted November 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 Decision made.... Im going for a lab! Now I just have to find one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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