younggunjoyce

The ideal dog for the field to me would be something intelligent enough to find and flush, on the majority of shoots I attend there always appears to be plenty of labs and similar retrievers so that aspect isn't as important. I've had an email from a lad informing me about the Portuguese Pointer which I'm assuming will be another dog that could possibly suit us.. Although the dog would be very important to me in the field it would be just as important in the family (hopefully), but I understand there is a fine line, I don't think I could bring myself to thinking or using the dog just for one purpose, although I appreciate that some do. The dog would work on a weekend and the rest of the week would hopefully be a "faithful companion". So in brief, a dog that will graft on a weekend and will be happy enough to get his ears pulled during the week but will be walked well.

Thanks the response people, it's a lot more than I expected to be honest. Thanks for the comment HDAV, I missed the Lagotto off the list, interesting dogs. Berreta28g - I most definetly will take you up on that offer, if i'm honest today was the first time i've even heard of an IWS so i'm very intreagued to know a bit more and will get back to you, if that's OK! My sons has had really bad reaction's in the past with one of our friends labs but doesn't seem to be so bad with my father in laws older spaniel so maybe he's adapted to him.... not sure. WGD - Trust me I wish it was that simple, but I know for a fact that my little lad would be straight in the kennel and it wouldn't be the easiest of tasks getting him out... But never the less a good idea! Thanks for the useful comments! Adrian

I'm not sure if anyone has come across this before or can help, but my wife and I are considering getting a dog, the issue we have is our 2 year old son is highly allergic, now I’m not selfish enough to just get a spaniel and put me son through the torment of it all so what we've thought about is buying an allergenic dog. We've done a small amount of research and come across an Irish Water Spaniel and a Portuguese Water dog which according to numerous sites are faithful gun dogs which are suitable for our needs. My question to the forums is does anyone have any experience with these breeds and also any thought on any other type of dogs? As mentioned our preferred “K9 chum” would be a spaniel but for obvious reasons have to rule it out, the dog would have to be a family dog as we’ll as a grafter. We'd love to hear your feedback. Thanks Adrian & Hayley.

Thanks for the feedback guys, I saw another 3 whilst feeding up on Wednesday, lovely to see especially when you've got your gun at hand. I'm really looking forward to the snow and major frosts to see a load more, I think they have to be one of the toughest shot's and they make for a brilliant game bird. The pheasants all seem to be doing great this year, plenty of good flyers early on, let's hope it continues! Cheers again! Adrian – yougunjoyce

Cheers for the feedback chaps. Sounds like you've had a bit of a rough ride with them by all account gold purple... maybe a complimentrey pair of shooting socks to keep them feet warm(er) might help... I hope there as good as what I've heard, a couple of the lad's on our shoot wear le chameau boots but your talking double plus the price for them, if they are as good as what I've heard though I might buy another pair and keep them for when these one's are on the way out! Happy shooting and hanks Again Adrian

Just ordered mine this afternoon J.N, hope the price isn't too good to be true! Hows everyone finding them? I do alot of rough and driving field shooting and noticed a comment about water proof (ness) or lack of, anyone else experienced this??? Cheers guys Adie - younggunjoyce

Just saw my first two woodcock of the season last weekend, anyone else seen them in other area's? This time last year I seem to recall seeing a vast amount but I don't no if it's something to do with the weather? It would be nice to see whats happening in other areas. Cheers guys and girls

Sound like you had a cracking afternoon, if you have a rifle and have permisson on the land might be worth having a look over to see if Charlie and co are hungry! If the farm has poults on his farm you might be doing him an even bigger favour, nice to keep them happy .

Hi Chaps and Chapettes, just thought I’d say a quick hello and introduce myself. I've been following the website and forums for a while now and thought it was about time I got involved properly! I shoot up in the north east in Country Durham, I'm still a little wet behind the ears when it comes to me shooting but have been involved for around 4/5 years mainly shooting game, I’ve had a number of pigeon days and the odd clay session when invited. Hoping to pick some great tips up and progress my shooting and field knowledge with the help of others around me, looking at things such as rifles, advice in the field and fingers crossed (When I'm allowed advice with a gun dog!). Keep up all the good work. I look forward to speaking and reading your storeys. All the best younggunjoyce (Adrian)

Thanks for all the info guys, managed to find one on here from another member, Bettinsoli as well at a reasonable price. I called a few gunsmiths before hand and one or two wanted more than what the guns worth to be honest, and I've already had the original pinned twice but as soon as I was putting cartridges through it would half Thanks again though guys great efforts all around!

Hi all, I need your help! I’m looking for the forened for a Bettinsoli o/o shotgun, if what I’m told is correct most models have the same style of fitting. I would take another forend as long as its suitable for the gun and wouldn’t take to much altering and the right price! Please help, the season's not far away now and I’d hate to share a gun with my father in law again! I have a the original forend but I have dropped the gun and is split, (hence the need for a replacement) I've have tried soldering and fixing but after I put a number of cartridges through the gun it's back to the drawing board. Many thanks in advance.