wildfowling dog

[jay851]

hi

started my first season wildfowling and now after being out can really understand why a dog is essential for retrieving.

after a lot of hard work and grovelling we (me and the kids) are finally starting to break the wife down about getting another dog, as we have a bulldog already.

but she is dead against labradors, she just dont like them, but she does like springer spaniels.

now i have been looking ess's up and from what i have read they are a bit harder to train than labs, and as this will be my first gundog am i biting off more than i can chew?

would a springer be o.k purely as a wildfowling dog, as from what i can gather they are more hunting dogs than retrievers by nature (please correct me if im wrong).

how do ess's get on with other breeds of dog, and could having young kids playing with the pup influence it and effect its training.

sorry if the questions are basic but to get one primarily for wildfowling is not a decision i will be taking lightly and need to get this right first time.

also im in the south east so any recommendations on where to get one and the best bloodline to get would be great.

any help and advise much appreciated.

 

jay.

[Spaniel]

HI

I have 2 springers and a Lab pup plus a young family and to be honest although the kids can make a fuss of the dogs i dont really have the two together at anyone time.....unless they maybe in the garden being supervised.

This is so the kids dont keep throwing balls and calling the dog etc etc

 

You can use both breeds for wildfowling but all i can say by my experiance is that the Springers like to hunt and the labs like to retrieve.

I have just started taking my Springer out wildfowling, no problem with that what so ever but i know she enjoys hunting better.

I just got a Lab pup who will be my main wildfowling dog in a couple of seasons time, they enjoy plenty of stting around and retrieving

 

See if you were asking for my opinion on a house dog and shooting dog i would say Lab every time, just a bit more relax i think in the home but that is my opinion...

 

If you google Springers for sale there are a few good ones down your way, and although good to get something KC reg and with a good pedigree line it is all still down to the training and time you put into the dog which will determine what you get out of the dog ready for wildfowling in a couple of years time

[robc89]

My lab is far from trained but its in him that if he can get something from water he is on it and will retrieve no matter what. Such a shame i cant get any wildfowling down my way as i beleive he would be in his element.

[TJ91]

chesepaeke...think thats how you spell it.

met a bloke in scotland last year with one, cracking dog, tough and strong...could carry anything it couls fit in its mouth!

 

but it was big and not sure what they are like with kids and other dogs

 

i have used cocker and springer spaniels, cocker ok for retrieving ducks from small pond and splashes but not strong enough in tidal rivers etc and couldnt carry a goose.

 

springer was alot better than cocker strength, swimming wise but couldnt carry a goose too far and couldnt swim too well with 1 in her mouth

 

labradors seem to be the best

Edited September 7, 2010 by TJ91

[Elby]

hi

started my first season wildfowling and now after being out can really understand why a dog is essential for retrieving.

after a lot of hard work and grovelling we (me and the kids) are finally starting to break the wife down about getting another dog, as we have a bulldog already.

but she is dead against labradors, she just dont like them, but she does like springer spaniels.

now i have been looking ess's up and from what i have read they are a bit harder to train than labs, and as this will be my first gundog am i biting off more than i can chew?

would a springer be o.k purely as a wildfowling dog, as from what i can gather they are more hunting dogs than retrievers by nature (please correct me if im wrong).

how do ess's get on with other breeds of dog, and could having young kids playing with the pup influence it and effect its training.

sorry if the questions are basic but to get one primarily for wildfowling is not a decision i will be taking lightly and need to get this right first time.

also im in the south east so any recommendations on where to get one and the best bloodline to get would be great.

any help and advise much appreciated.

 

jay.

It depends on the sort of fowling you do, size of the water ect.

labs are always better in water

Springers are great with kids although it has to be said a child can undo 3 months of training in 5 minutes.

A Springer is called that because it "springs" game and a retriever called that because........

My spaniels will retrieve canada's no problem though.

Look up Tawnyhill gundogs and speak to Tony or his wife, they are in kent and in my opinion one of the best Springer Kennels in the country.

Tell him Les sent you

[jay851]

thanks guys.

my first choice would be a lab but as stated the wife is calling the shots and i will be lucky to get another dog, so any companion will be better than none.

i did look at chessies and love the look of them and have read that they are great workers, but they are big dogs and that is part of the reason the lab has been struck off.

one of my concerns is that if i get an ess it will be kept indoors where the kids can get it into some bad habbits, so do you think i would be better off maybe getting a part trained dog, something like a 1 yr old.

EDIT:

or another option would be kenneling it outside, are working dogs toughened up better being kept outside, do people keep them out all year round or bring them inside for the bitter weather.

 

jay.

Edited September 7, 2010 by jay851

[kent]

IMO a dog expected to work in harsh conditions should be kenneled outside period, not taking about occasional or mild weather gundogs here thats entirely different to a dog for the winter marsh etc. I fancy a chesapeake myself but already having a non pet GWP ( not human aggresive just to rough and too keen) and with two kids i don't think the wife would wear it at present, though i have a spare kennel. Chessies have a reputation as one man dogs very much working dogs with a strong will and not as great a duel roler as the Lab you should check out the uk club site- the pups look like baby bears! . Reputations aint everthing though i have know a few labs i wouldn't let anywere near my kids and i am sure there are a few chessies that are great pets and house dogs. I have never been a springer fan myself having seen them used both for stalking and wildfowling they just aint as happy as your average retriever sat below the high seat or in a muddy hole for hours on end, yeah plenty do it very well but they were never bred for it and do lack the coat. Think also how much your gonna have to do when you get back from the marsh if your gonna keep that dog in your home getting all the mud off though.

[al4x]

thats interesting yours is too big and too keen kent as my bitch is as gentle as they come, almost mothers kids and will let them do anything to her, and been an excellent house dog. That said I've seen some hellishly big bouncy GWP dogs and am very glad i have what I've got. Personally though the lab sounds like the easiest option for a wildfowling dog, not sure I'd get a springer as a sit quietly and retrieve kind of dog!

[henry d]

Don`t listen to those who tell you that springers can`t be used for wildfowling.......... and even small ones have their uses and CAN easily retrieve geese <<HERE>>

 

Remember to train the kids first

[al4x]

at what age did it actually sit still though Henry? my mates one is going on 10 and still won't for more than a few minutes that said there is a lot to be said for the more traditional choices in terms of doing what it says on the tin, and realistically even with wildfowling you aren't going to put your dog in rough tidal flows etc as you want to see them again

Edited September 7, 2010 by al4x

[Elby]

My springers will sit quiet for as long as i tell them to, they'll also fetch just about anything.

When i get the other comp fixed I've got pics of him retrieving a fox, he once tried to drag a fallow pricket to me, didn't succeed though

[kent]

thats interesting yours is too big and too keen kent as my bitch is as gentle as they come, almost mothers kids and will let them do anything to her, and been an excellent house dog. That said I've seen some hellishly big bouncy GWP dogs and am very glad i have what I've got. Personally though the lab sounds like the easiest option for a wildfowling dog, not sure I'd get a springer as a sit quietly and retrieve kind of dog!

Its almost entirely his breeding the sire was Chris Greys Magnus and the Dam from Top German lines. Lines such as those by Rory major and heavy English bred influance are like a different dog, not bad in fact i like Bryantscroft dogs just they are way different. Like i say he is non Human aggresive, has a soft mouth but will play too rough and will take advantage of any weakness, i won't simply won't have an aggresive dog. I have known otherwise good dogs that won't do things mine thinks is just great fun and the reason to be alive though he is not a suitable sit by the fire dog

[al4x]

mine has a fair lot of Bryantscroft in her though everything from 4 generations back is German. She is a very relaxed dog, been lamping since 4 months old and just sleeps in the truck till required and is very sociable, very placid and relaxed but never stops wanting to hunt when out yet is probably easier than a lot of them, but it could well be the fact she is a bitch. Stretched on the sofa at the moment thats how bad she is round the house! Obviously a fair bit is what they are exposed to when a pup and she spent a fair bit of time with a lot of different people which has probably socialised her more than most pointers and as she has had kids about since the start she is just used to them. Work wise its still early days with her she is fine retrieving dead game, pricked birds is a slight issue as are pigeons but we're getting there. Took 3 years till she really became interested in dummies which always makes it harder, however show her a fox and there are no issues with finding and retrieving. Yet to try her on deer but looking forward to it,

 

One things for sure they are a learning curve and fascinating dogs as they are so different from the norm

[DOLLSEYES]

I have both mate and the springer will do both jobs,but if i had to choose between the two for fowling it would have to be a lab.

http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/ind...st&id=19028

Edited September 7, 2010 by DOLLSEYES

[ziplex]

hi

started my first season wildfowling and now after being out can really understand why a dog is essential for retrieving.

after a lot of hard work and grovelling we (me and the kids) are finally starting to break the wife down about getting another dog, as we have a bulldog already.

but she is dead against labradors, she just dont like them, but she does like springer spaniels.

now i have been looking ess's up and from what i have read they are a bit harder to train than labs, and as this will be my first gundog am i biting off more than i can chew?

would a springer be o.k purely as a wildfowling dog, as from what i can gather they are more hunting dogs than retrievers by nature (please correct me if im wrong).

how do ess's get on with other breeds of dog, and could having young kids playing with the pup influence it and effect its training.

sorry if the questions are basic but to get one primarily for wildfowling is not a decision i will be taking lightly and need to get this right first time.

also im in the south east so any recommendations on where to get one and the best bloodline to get would be great.

any help and advise much appreciated.

 

jay.

 

My little Springer is a brilliant retriever and will sit steady and quiet too. Arguably a Lab' is the better/more suited dog for 'fowling but I just love the way Springers are, they are always looking for something to do, keen to work/please, it's as if they're smiling all the time with a huge appetite for life! We've had Springers for years throughout our two daughters growing up and they were and still are a wonderful family companion. What our Springer lacks in size she makes up for in commitment and tenacity, if there is something to be retrieved she'll get it and at 15/16 months old has already retrieved plenty of pigeon and managed her first duck on the 1st. I have a GSP too...in comparison i've found her an absolute doddle to train. Another thing to mention if the dog is to be living indoors is a Lab' stinks big time once full of estuary mud/water so beware .....this is the little squirt a few months back after a training session.

[WGD]

If you're going for a springer (more than capable) research the breeding and see the parents. Make sure the mating is likely to produce heavier built dogs with a patient (in spaniel terms ) nature. You don't want a trial bred rocket sitting out with you, it's not a lot of fun - believe me.

[hunter1968]

EES all the way. for us.

[al4x]

You don't want a trial bred rocket sitting out with you, it's not a lot of fun - believe me.

 

 

and that is the best advice you'll hear ref ESS's hot ones will make you want to shoot them

[garyb]

Careful what you say Alex

 

My lad is coming out on the marsh toward the end of the month for his 1st go...

[al4x]

yours isn't that hot though gary, though no idea on how many champions in his pedigree,

[garyb]

He seems pretty hot to me sometimes!!!

[al4x]

He seems pretty hot to me sometimes!!!

 

 

you need to see my mates 10 and her last season she'd just about calmed down, then did her cruciate ligament. had that fixed and a week later was getting out over a 6ft wall yours is a big difference and as long as he forgets about his cock he'll be fine on the day

[jay851]

thanks all.

i have decided to go for a springer so is there any particular bloodline i should look out for.

pricewise from what i have seen looks like £400 - £450 for a pup dog but any idea how much a part trained 1 yr old would cost.

 

cheers, jay.

[Spaniel]

Tawnyhill as a couple of springer pups for sale

[mikee]

if you want a dog purely for wildfowling there is really only one breed to choose, there are thousands of wildfowlers out there and if you ask them what dogs they have 95% will say the same

 

i'll give you a clue it starts with L and ends with ABRADOR, i assume you will be using a shotgun and not a bow and arrow to shoot with so do yourself a favor and get the right tool for the job

 

mikee