leeboy Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 I'm looking to get a gun dog this year and dont know what breed to choose. I've not really been a dog person in the past but am warming to the idea. I like the idea of a doggie companion to take shooting but I've never really been keen on spaniels or labs. I've got very little experience of keeping a dog but I live and work on a farm so exercise and company are not a problem. The sort of dogs that I like are the HPR types especially GSP and Weimaraners. I've talked to several people and have conflicting opinions on how these dogs perform some say that the HPR types are excellent dogs while others say they are a 'jack of all trades and master of none' I think the HPR would suit the sort of shooting I do rather than just a retriever type. But I'm open to suggestions. If I had to have a retriever then I would fancy a chocolate Lab (that is certainly what the Mrs would prefer) but I've been told recently that they are not as clever as the other Labs and are difficult to train. Labs do seem to be loyal friends and that does appeal to me. The other question is do I get a dog that is already trained or buy a pup. Ideally I'd like a pup and so would the Mrs but I dont get a lot of time to do the training and am inexperienced. Also I dont know if I have the patience. Any advice anyone might have would be very much appreciated. Leeboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 Buy a trained lab as they are idiot proof. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mag-man Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 What do you want the dog for? Pointing or retrieving or both? I have always been a pointer fan (English pointer), their work, their nature, and their look. I was also put off once buy some friends who had the GSP's, they where badly behaved, rubbish at pointing and retrieving, they made more noise shouting at the dogs than the guns, don't quote me though, cause it could also be the owners. I have a feeling the GSP's might be a bit more active, but my thought is if you want a dog to hunt get the English, and a Lab to retrieve if you want a retriever, don't go halfway and get a dog that does a half job on both. I don't have much experiance in springers, but have you considered them, they are buy far the most popular gundog along with a lab Wait for NTTF to reply he's the guru on dog's. Just one thing though is they would need to walked daily, so need time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 Buy a trained lab as they are idiot proof. LB :blink: or part trained Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 HPR's make fine gundogs. The GSP is probably the highest strung, followed by Weimeraners and the English Pointers. They are all a joy to shoot over when trained correctly and thoughly. All will point stand steady to wing and shot, and retrieve to hand, again with the correct training. I have had all three and they are all a joy to hunt. If you do not have the patience to train without getting frustrated or raising your voice do not get a pointer as they take it to heart and one shout and you will blow 3 weeks training. For that matter if you do not have the patience or the time to train get a fully trained dog, they cost more in thebeginning but are ready to go and someone has done the work that you cant. As for color of labs and workability....color is just that it has nothing to do with how a dog works....breeding and lineage will dictate that. You can get all three colors of labs from the same litter and if they are from GOOD working lines they will all work. The best thing that you can do is get out there and watch the differant dogs work. Once you have picked a breed get out and see a bunch of differant breeders and trainers. You can then either pick a fully trained dog or pick a puppy from a WELL bred litter and have it trained...in a lot of cases working with the trainer. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeboy Posted September 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 I would like a dog that can potentially do the lot. Retrieving would be the bulk of the work but I do alot of walked up rough shooting and would like a dog that would flush rabbits and pheasants etc. Deer control is going to be started in the near future as we have huge numbers of Roe in particular that are doing a lot of damage particularly in the woodland and I would like a dog that can follow up a wounded animal should that possibility arise. Maybe sensibly I need two dogs but I feel one is enough to be going on with. One that will retrieve reliably and be a good friend to me and the Mrs would be a good start. Mag-man, the dog will be out and about with me on the farm all day every day and so excersise wont be a problem. NTTF, thanks for putting me straight ref the choc Lab. I couldn't see why the colour should make a difference but a few people just wont have it. I'm going to look at as many dogs as I can over the next few weeks and try to come to a decision. I will have to take the Mrs into consideration though and a choc Lab may well be the way forward for a first dog. Does it matter if I go for a dog or a bitch ? I think I would prefer a bitch. regards Leeboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 Bitch or dog is a personal preferance but I do find Bitches easier going. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mag-man Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 Maybe sensibly I need two dogs but I feel one is enough to be going on with. One that will retrieve reliably and be a good friend to me and the Mrs would be a good start. Kill 2 birds with one shot (stopped throwing stones when I got my sgc) Get a pointer, and a lab, tell the Mrs the lab's for her, but take it walking when you go shooting!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 Maybe sensibly I need two dogs but I feel one is enough to be going on with. One that will retrieve reliably and be a good friend to me and the Mrs would be a good start. Kill 2 birds with one shot (stopped throwing stones when I got my sgc) Get a pointer, and a lab, tell the Mrs the lab's for her, but take it walking when you go shooting!!!!!! :blink: Very sensible LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirky640 Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 only one comment !!! a dog = getting up with the mother of all hangovers to let the dog out first thing in the morning taking them out when its **** weather=walks moping up the mess when they could not wait yuk! making sure someone is around when you want to go away on holiday to take care or them being ready to change your life to suit your dog being ready to love your dog being ready to put up with the happyness your dog will bring you a dog has a life as you do and neads as good a life as you a dog is for always vet bills=cash and lots of it sometimes this little list is to give you food for thought my friend hope you find a great dog and have great times cheers kirky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeboy Posted September 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 Thanks for the replies fellas, I've got plenty to think about now. Kirky, wise words mate ! The job I'm in now means I'm up early wether I feel like it or not. All the rest of the animals need looking after 365days of the year no matter what the weather. I've got a couple of people who work with me who are happy to look after the dog/s on the extremely rare occasions when I'm lucky enough to get time off. And I'm thinking about some sort of insurance to cover vets bills as I know I could be looking at serious money. I always have access to antibiotics and other first aid kit in the farm med kit in case of emergencies. It will be especially nice for the Mrs to have some company on occasions when I'm away. Its creepy as ***k where we live and unfortunately intruders are not uncommon so hopefully er indoors will feel a bit safer. Normally if I have to be away for the night then the Mrs stays at her sisters, having a dog or two would make her feel much better. Regards Leeboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 only one comment !!! a dog = getting up with the mother of all hangovers to let the dog out first thing in the morning taking them out when its **** weather=walks moping up the mess when they could not wait yuk! making sure someone is around when you want to go away on holiday to take care or them being ready to change your life to suit your dog being ready to love your dog being ready to put up with the happyness your dog will bring you a dog has a life as you do and neads as good a life as you a dog is for always vet bills=cash and lots of it sometimes this little list is to give you food for thought my friend hope you find a great dog and have great times cheers kirky :blink: Most importantly of all no matter what kind of **** day you have had you will be met with a loving pal. He will listen to all the ***** you have to tell him without judgement and when you have finished he will still think you are the Alpha. Give me dogs other humans every time. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 "The more time I spend with my fellow humans, the more I appreciate my dog" As a wise man once said :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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