shml12 Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 Hi all and apologies if i'm about to open a can of worms on the forum... Lost my springer Archie about a year ago, he was a rescue dog and a really fantastic pet (albeit incredibly stubborn when he wanted to be!). Unfortunately i never got to shoot with him as he developed a disease which caused muscle wastage around his eyes and jaw (really horrible to see but a few months of care got him back to a good quality of life although never quite 100%). I've been looking at getting a new dog that can become more of a shooting companion for me and my brother, as well as a family pet who'll get on with the other dogs (2 very soppy Alsations and a jack russellXchihuaha - all bitches). Realistically i need a dog that will sit in a hide with us, come out rough shooting and still be good as a pet. So the big question is what breed is best?! As for age, training progress, male/female, trainability etc etc i'm all ears... I've done a lot of research but figured PW was a good way of seeing what other people have had. I have not trained a dog to working level before (although i am reading the book!) Any help much appreciated, Stuart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pegleg31 Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 If you mainly pigeon shoot from a hide i'd say lab.If you mainly rough shoot then i'd say springer but if you do a bit of both then i'd go for a cocker. I'm not to sure on HPR breeds and wha they're good for but there's a few on the forum who maybe able to advise on them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 If you mainly pigeon shoot from a hide i'd say lab.If you mainly rough shoot then i'd say springer but if you do a bit of both then i'd go for a cocker. I'm not to sure on HPR breeds and wha they're good for but there's a few on the forum who maybe able to advise on them Some sort of retriever HPR's will do as you descibe but don't Want to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocker3 Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 i have both labs and cockers and yeh labs are great in hides but lack a bit go for hunting in thick cover(but some will have labs that will hunt all day in thick cover) but on the plus side they train up realy easy and you can have them in the field quite young cockers tend to mature a bit later(so are in the field a bit later ) but they are at there best in cover and never seem to tire i have one that will sit in a hide all day but in general hides bore cockers(i have 4 cockers and only one will sit in a hide ) and they get fed up quickly as they always want to be on the go all they want to do is pick and hunt it just depends on what you do more pigeons or rought shooting if its about the same i would go for the cocker if its more pigeons and the odd day rought shooting get a lab but thats my view and others will have there own choices each to there own and all that as for sex if you have bitches i would say get a bitch saves on a whole lot of greif when they come into heat in general labs ready for working from 11mths to 16 mths cockers 12 mths 18mths but that is just roughly all dogs learn at differant rates there could be other dogs out there that may fit your needs better ie springers but i only have the 2 types you asked about atb cocker3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamHall Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 (edited) i think a springer would be best but i love punishment so personaly id get a cocker but i am a cocker owner lol Edited March 22, 2011 by AdamHall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popgun Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 i think a springer would be best but i love punishment so personaly id get a cocker but i am a cocker owner lol Cockers are horrable little swines stubbern as hell full of character most of it bad im on numbers 5 and 6 allways had them allways will. Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpk Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 Lab all the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miroku_fan Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 I have two Hungarian Vizsla dogs, Reuben and Osker. Both are good all round shooting companions but you have to be prepared to put a lot of time into training and exercising/ working them. They are also very sociable dogs. Highly recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 I have a GSP and a Springer, the Springer has been a doddle to train for a bit of pigeon shooting and wildfowling, she's a little gem but a bit reserved in her nature so that may of helped?....the GSP on the other hand nearly drove me to drink, and she picks and chooses when to retrieve and when to stay awake in the hide Very sociable/friendly animal she is though, incredibly affectionate but with a huge appetite to run, and hunt.......................and run, she never seems to tire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenthomas Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Yes, as some have already said, you can't get a better rough shooting dog than an HPR (in my opinion ) but some would struggle with hide work. I have seen some fab ones mind, but as Kent says - it doesn't really come natural to a lot, all that sitting around lark! Maybe a Lab would be your better bet. Helen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Lab - if you want a dog to sit in a hide don't buy a hunting dog. It can be done, but a lot of breeding research would need to be done to make sure you weren't buying something too hot... why make it that difficult? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albion Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Like most above, I'd say a lab for the hide and a cocker for rough shooting. You could be waiting a long time for a cocker pup to calm down enough for hide work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_commoner Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 if you want a retriver then get a lab if you want something to hunt and retrieve then get a spaniel work out how much rough shooting you do as oppose to hide shooting and buy accordingly ........... personally i would probably say a cocker (but i am biased !) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Sweepy Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Take the wife/girlfriend She even pack your sandwiches for you. Now what dog would do that xxxxSuzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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