Big Dog Posted July 15, 2005 Report Share Posted July 15, 2005 If you wanted a dog to retreive pigeons and crows and not bite the kids what would you go for. I'm thinking a small black lab??:lol:?:o? :lol: What would you go for?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teal Posted July 16, 2005 Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 For a first dog to train yourself a small bitch black lab and you can't go far wrong IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKEBITE Posted July 16, 2005 Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 Can't you just use the kids? I can't as I want somthing well trained that will sit still and do as it is told. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted July 16, 2005 Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 Bigdog I have wanted a dog for years. After last nights efforts at picking up by hand, I feel that either I get a dog, or Mrs webber can come and run out to do the picking up. The problem being that she will probably yap far more than a dog, and not tackle the rough stuff. Thats it then, a dog it is! This is not a rash decision, I have pondered for years, read books and magazine articles galore. although some of my shooting friends have ESS, which are excellent, and a great pleasure to observe, they will not sit still for too long, which renders them a little less than ideal for pigeon shooting from a hide. My choice therefore is a black lab, I am however considering a dog, in preference to a bitch. Can anyone offer advise as to the pros and cons of dog verses bitch? webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Country_est Posted July 16, 2005 Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 After having a ESS Bitch, Lab Bitch and a lab dog, next one will definatley be a Lab bitch, Unless I am given a **** load of money and time at which point it would be an ESS. But for your type of shooting mentioned (both by warcop & webber) the lab would be ideal. Pros and cons of dogs v Bitches. (my view only) Bitches come into heat every 6 months and can be a pain if shooting in mixed comapny. On your own no real probs. Tend to be more loyal than dogs. Dogs tend to be bigger and bolder, helps when facing cover and carrying a goose across tidal waters ect... So its own personal choice and get the missus to pick the pup out of the litter then you can always blame her if the pup / dog doent do what its told Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted July 16, 2005 Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 For your situation I would suggest a Lab Bitch (chocolate). Labs are the easiest to train and a Bitch will follow you everywhere and do anything to please you, too bad it doesn't cross over..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted July 16, 2005 Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 Bigdog I have wanted a dog for years. After last nights efforts at picking up by hand, I feel that either I get a dog, or Mrs webber can come and run out to do the picking up. The problem being that she will probably yap far more than a dog, and not tackle the rough stuff. Thats it then, a dog it is! This is not a rash decision, I have pondered for years, read books and magazine articles galore. although some of my shooting friends have ESS, which are excellent, and a great pleasure to observe, they will not sit still for too long, which renders them a little less than ideal for pigeon shooting from a hide. My choice therefore is a black lab, I am however considering a dog, in preference to a bitch. Can anyone offer advise as to the pros and cons of dog verses bitch? webber Dog with good FTC's in the line. Getting £200-300 for covering bitches. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Country_est Posted July 16, 2005 Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 NTTF, I think it would be quite hard, and expensive to find a chocolate lab here in the Uk that has a good (if any) working parentage or history. The chocolates over here tend to be more of a fat house pet than working dog. Trev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
potshot Posted July 16, 2005 Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 There are some good ones but you have to work hard to find them. Some one once asked me if I had a lab what would I call it ---- I said if it was a chocolate I would call it 'teapot' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKEBITE Posted July 17, 2005 Report Share Posted July 17, 2005 There are some good ones but you have to work hard to find them. Some one once asked me if I had a lab what would I call it ---- I said if it was a chocolate I would call it 'teapot' If I had got 2 then I would have called the "lockstock" and "barrell" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Dog Posted July 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2005 Bigdog I have wanted a dog for years. After last nights efforts at picking up by hand, I feel that either I get a dog, or Mrs webber can come and run out to do the picking up. The problem being that she will probably yap far more than a dog, and not tackle the rough stuff. Thats it then, a dog it is! This is not a rash decision, I have pondered for years, read books and magazine articles galore. although some of my shooting friends have ESS, which are excellent, and a great pleasure to observe, they will not sit still for too long, which renders them a little less than ideal for pigeon shooting from a hide. My choice therefore is a black lab, I am however considering a dog, in preference to a bitch. Can anyone offer advise as to the pros and cons of dog verses bitch? webber Good one mate. One of my sons is almost 8 and made up like Smeadle from Lord of the Rings. He don't get it from me. He would make a great retreiver but never shouts up, worst than the wife... Pros and cons. I have had English Springer Spanels Dog & Bitch Jack Russels Terriers, Dog & Bitches Staffy Bull Terriers both Dogs And a lot of other bits and pieces that made mixed box of terriers and lurchers Currently Irish Terrier - dog In all cases the bitches were easier to train, more loyal and loveable, worked harder, seemed to be more intelligent and one of them would have fought to the death to protect me. I have had a bull terrier like that to. My current Irish Terrier is old but although a great dog for family he see me as a threat to his territoty. The wife had him castorated while I was away on business. I'm not sure what signals see was sending me, any ideas :o PS Thanks guys you have confirmed my own thinking. A small black Lab bitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Dog Posted July 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2005 Opps again, my last post reply meant to quote Snakebite's comments about the kids. What I'm I doing wrong that I get the wrong quotes on my replys??:lol:? This happens me regular :*) :*) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pavman Posted July 18, 2005 Report Share Posted July 18, 2005 Hi Big dog I can fully empathise with your predicament, having just gone through the same process myself. I did end up with a black lab bitch from very good lines, and so far am totally delighted. She is 5 months now and we are on the training posted by NTTF at top of this board. In generally its going well. I am a novice and understand I am learning as well as the dog, labs seem ideal as they are very keen and easy to bond with. My need is also for an all rounder most of my sport is wildfowling, with the odd pheasant day, and pigeon and crows to help out on a local farm. A lab seemed to be the best option. I have found I need to be quite firm with her to keep her on side, And I am told that dogs can be real ******* and will challenge you if you are not experienced enough to handle them, given half a chance. Good luck what ever you decide. There are plenty of folk here to help with questions and advise pavman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 ESS. ( A proper Dog ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 Hi Guys, I have recently bought a ESS dog puppy and have joined a local training club. to see what the ES spaniels will do I would thoroughly recommend one, Especially with FTCh and FTw in the pedigree. They are great fun and also affectionate if that is what you want. Cheers guys, Great Forum Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul tony cassidy Posted July 19, 2005 Report Share Posted July 19, 2005 rough shooting with heavy cover and ditch work then a ess, picking up, decoying and fowling definately a lab, i have 2 ess and 1 lab, all dogs .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ridgeback Posted July 22, 2005 Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 (edited) I've got a ridgeback x collie....any of you any ideas what I should put her to? :( Edited July 23, 2005 by ridgeback Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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