rabbiter Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 ok guys,ive been given the green light from my better half,i currently have a 3 year old lurcher dog,he was a real pleasure to train.hes a ferreting dog primarily and he does do it well,but im now after getting my FIRST gundog and cant decide what breed,ill be working it in the beating line and also whilst pigeon shooting,the cocker and springer appeal more to me,as when i was a kid,my parents had a lab and as a pup,it tried to eat everything in sight,and ruined most of the furniture,and that puts me off a bit,i know most pups chew,but this has stuck in my mind ever since,so can anyone sway me in one direction,ive had dogs all my life(lurchers and terriers)but never a gundog,thanks in advance for your much appreciated input... DAZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screwie Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 go for a springer mate you wont look back, only forward as its ****** off infront of the beating line! i would go for a ess best dog for wot u want it to do just make sure you get a black and white one tho! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 Lab if you want it to sit in a hide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanielchris Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 Ess. Best dogs ever! No if's, no but's! End of!!! Lol. Im only a tiny bit biased! ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbsy Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 Sorry guys it's got to be a cocker all the way for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbiter Posted August 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 ok ive got one of each recommended,so what has one breed got over the others in terms of trainability,temperament etc DAZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiLisCer Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 GWP - get a proper dog :yp: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom&Dexter Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 Cocker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 I'm not a seasoned trainer but my little Springer will sit steady in the hide or on the foreshore without problem. She is a little demon on the pigeons and what she lacks in strength she makes up for with her willingness/tenacity on the foreshore. I'm not a lover of lab's as our dogs live indoors and a wet lab' stinks to high heaven A mate of mine has both a lab' and a springer and has found the springer easier to train, all I can say is mine has been problem free but it largely depends on where you buy the dog from/what lines are in it etc, those who say 'my springer is mental' hasn't trained it right AFAIC. Common sense says if it's going to be a hide dog or a wildfowlers dog.....Lab' every time but there are plenty that will argue.....admittedly with more knowledge, but i'd say springer as I like them more as a dog, their character and never say die attitude does it for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malantone Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 I`ve just ordered a Sprocker, mother is a Sprocker and father is a Sprocker both very good working dogs, I`ve heard that the cross breeding iliminates health problems associated with pedigree dogs, certainly my old Springer X Border Collie never ailed a thing until I had to put him to sleep 2 weeks ago aged 13.5yrs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screwie Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 get a springer will do everything that you want it too will hunt cover sit in a hide, pickup, easier to train than cockers. a lab will be a good if all you wanted it to do is sit in a hide and pick up yes they will hunt cover but nothing like wot a spaniel will. i think that you can rule a lab out from your OP im sure you have already made your mind up that you want either a ess or a cocker, am i right? every dog will do all jobs but nothing does all of them aswell as a springer lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbiter Posted August 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 yes i suppose you are right screwie,but i just wanted to hear other peoples views on all 3 breeds,a friend of mine is an ardent lab man,but is soon to be the owner of a cocker,i didnt put this in my OP but i watched a friend of mine years ago(never had a dog before this)train a ess bitch by following instruction from a dvd,she was fantastic,i even worked her myself on occasion,but since it was mentioned above,a sprocker seems a viable option also,thanks so far for all who has had some input.. DAZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 Good luck to you Daz whichever you choose, you'll only get out what you put in mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 get a springer will do everything that you want it too will hunt cover sit in a hide, pickup, easier to train than cockers. a lab will be a good if all you wanted it to do is sit in a hide and pick up yes they will hunt cover but nothing like wot a spaniel will. i think that you can rule a lab out from your OP im sure you have already made your mind up that you want either a ess or a cocker, am i right? every dog will do all jobs but nothing does all of them aswell as a springer lol Have both a lab and ess the ess will hunt cover all the time the lab will only hunt cover if there's something there but does end up taking the cover with him If its your first dog get an ess bitch or a lab , cockers can be very i will do as i wish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbiter Posted August 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 :good:thanks for that ziplex... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screwie Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 my labs will hunt in cover if told too they do look at you as if to say there better br something in there lol but they often go beating and i would regulary use them to dog in with, where as the springers dont need telling twice. i really think if you want an all round shooting dog the springer is the way to go. will hunt will retrive will be your best friend. as i said before just make sure you get a proper colour springer B/W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antuk99 Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 I have a 20 month sproker did a little work on the beating line late last season and loved every bit what ever you decide I'm sure you will love it I dare I say it now prefer to work the dog so now I opt for walking gun also at the end of the beat watching your own dog lookfor birds is mega rewarding good luck with whatever you choose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 (edited) ESS are my first love, but as a first dog and one you want to use for pigeon shooting I am still of the opinion a lab is the better option. However, if you are mostly beating and occasionally pigeon shooting an ESS will be a great dog. If you go for one make sure you research your lines and sire/dam characteristics - you don't want one that's too hot. @screwie... L&W is the only real colour for ESSs Edited August 4, 2011 by WGD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimmyG21 Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 Have to say Cocker all the way. I had my 1st gun dog 2yars ago now and went for a cocker. I went down this line as i wanted a smaller dog so Lab was out the questions, then i decided i wanted something slightly slower than a springer, (well this is what i was thinking anyway) All i can say is he has been a pleasure to training and i would never go to anything else, they can do anything and they have a cracking personality. Ims rue whatever you do choose you will be very happy with and have years of fun with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kermitpwee Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 my labs will hunt in cover if told too they do look at you as if to say there better br something in there lol but they often go beating and i would regulary use them to dog in with, where as the springers dont need telling twice. i really think if you want an all round shooting dog the springer is the way to go. will hunt will retrive will be your best friend. as i said before just make sure you get a proper colour springer B/W What's wrong with a liver and white springer? Why B/W? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 GWP - get a proper dog :yp: It will do what the Lab can on retrieves, Finds game faster than an ESS, Cant work through tiny spaces like a cocker yet neither can a cocker get over high obsicles and all the other three don't point. Downside? Most need lots of work, will fidgit in a hide, decide which lines you require with care, not a easy first gundog, have been known to go over the top if drawn into a fight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 It will do what the Lab can on retrieves, Finds game faster than an ESS, Cant work through tiny spaces like a cocker yet neither can a cocker get over high obsicles and all the other three don't point. Downside? Most need lots of work, will fidgit in a hide, decide which lines you require with care, not a easy first gundog, have been known to go over the top if drawn into a fight Damn right there, needs a huge ammount of work, a strong hand and lot's of patience...my little Springer has been a revalation to train after having the Pointer from a pup and me pulling my hair out, she tends to fall asleep in the hide too, if she can't hunt she'll sulk, yawn then curl up and doze If it's a first gun dog i'd say avoid Pointers generally, they are brilliant dogs but a bit specialised...and headcases generally I do know someone who trains GWP's and they really are a joy to watch but he puts in many, many hours with them and has been doing this for years. It depends what you want the dog for ultimately but if any hide work is involved from my experience i'd say look elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 Springers all day long. Cockers are somewhat fashionable of late, and therefore cost a bit more - yet can't do as much as an ESS in the field.. owing to their obvious physical limitations. My boy has been very easy to train, and he's a great all rounder be it Decoying pigeon, lamping, wildfowling or out on Driven game. That said.. one of the most biddable and well trained young dogs I know belongs to the ex girlfriend.. an ECS bitch (wish it was mine) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screwie Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 What's wrong with a liver and white springer? Why B/W? nothing wrong with liver and whites ive got one too, just prefer my black and white ess of which i have two plus a black,yellow and fox red lab lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikey2341 Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 Damn right there, needs a huge ammount of work, a strong hand and lot's of patience...my little Springer has been a revalation to train after having the Pointer from a pup and me pulling my hair out, she tends to fall asleep in the hide too, if she can't hunt she'll sulk, yawn then curl up and doze If it's a first gun dog i'd say avoid Pointers generally, they are brilliant dogs but a bit specialised...and headcases generally I do know someone who trains GWP's and they really are a joy to watch but he puts in many, many hours with them and has been doing this for years. It depends what you want the dog for ultimately but if any hide work is involved from my experience i'd say look elsewhere. I've just got a wirehaired Vizsla pup - I've been led to believe they work similarly to a GWP, but require a much softer training programme, could be worth a look? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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