Oly Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 I'm after a dog for rough shooting - mainly rabbits on the edges of woodlands. However I may take the dog out lamping rabbits alone at night (just for company really) so would need to have the ability to sit for some time and not get irritated. It would have to live alone (not having another dog for company) and live outdoors. I'm after people's experiences with: Springer Spaniels Cocker Spaniels Labradors Lakeland Terriers Beagles Springadors Normandy Spaniels Any info would be greatly appreciated. Also do people know of any contacts who train gun dogs for rough shooting (rather than going straight into training a dog with minimal experience) - if so what breeds and costs do they deal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiercel Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 I noticed that you have left out all the HPR breeds, is there any particular reason for that? Most of the HPR dogs are really well suited to rough shooting.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 You mention that you will be mainly shooting rabbits around woodlands. What do you want the dog to do, find the rabbits, flush them, or retrieve them, or all three ? Being company on lamping expeditions and sitting still for long periods, won't suit any of the spaniel breeds, in my opinion. If you don't want any retrieving done, it sounds as though a terrier might be your best bet (I know everyones had a terrier that retrieves, but most of them don't ) What about a small lurcher breed ? For the basics that you want (I'm ignoring retrieving), a good animal from working stock would be quite easy to train yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oly Posted November 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 You mention that you will be mainly shooting rabbits around woodlands.What do you want the dog to do, find the rabbits, flush them, or retrieve them, or all three ? Being company on lamping expeditions and sitting still for long periods, won't suit any of the spaniel breeds, in my opinion. If you don't want any retrieving done, it sounds as though a terrier might be your best bet (I know everyones had a terrier that retrieves, but most of them don't ) What about a small lurcher breed ? For the basics that you want (I'm ignoring retrieving), a good animal from working stock would be quite easy to train yourself. All three really! Good advice on the spaniels - unfortunately what I was anticipating to be honest! Not too keen on terriers - there's a lot to be said for them - but personally I find they are a little too arrogant/dominant etc - apart from a good border or lakeland...in my experience. I noticed that you have left out all the HPR breeds, is there any particular reason for that? Most of the HPR dogs are really well suited to rough shooting.? To be honest I'm personally not too keen on many pointers and setters apart from: Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Small Munsterlander Brittany Any info on these would be great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul in North Lincs. Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 Beddlington x wippet cross......will chase down bunnies, arequite chilled out, and will retrieve if trained to do so.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 Got to admit that a lurcher makes a lot of sense... I know a guy that shows them and I have never seen such intelligent, obedient dogs with such an aptitude for sensing where the game is going. Wookie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 labrador Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oly Posted November 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2006 Inparticular has anyone ever seen a working Springador (Springer cross Labrador) - in my mind it should make the perfect dog for this type of work, but I've only seen a pet one...which was surprising intelligent and no doubt could have been trained quite effectively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted November 3, 2006 Report Share Posted November 3, 2006 I have seen several springadors but only seen one work, It worked very well but I don't think it always works out that you get the best out of each breed. If you are looking for a dog that will be happy sitting still for hours the get a Labrador, and if you want a dog to hunt and flush then get a springer. Don't believe the **** that a lab is born half trained and a spaniel dies half trained. You will only get out of a dog what you are prepared to put in. Alomst any breed can be taught to do anything. Some just do things more naturally than others Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oly Posted November 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 If you are looking for a dog that will be happy sitting still for hours the get a Labrador, and if you want a dog to hunt and flush then get a springer. Do you not think that a Cocker Spaniel would fill this gap between a Lab and a Springer? Just had a look at the Sprocker on the thread "New addition to the family - What Breed" Has anyone had experience of this breed - would this fit the bill too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 I'd second the cocker, they are a lot slower than say a springer which makes them better for rough shooting. Shooting rabbits on rough drives you want a far slower dog than a springer for safetys safe. A cocker will also retrieve and they tend to sit still better. Sounds like it fits the bill! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted November 6, 2006 Report Share Posted November 6, 2006 If you train a dog to sit to flush then you could use a greyhound. If any dog gives chase to a rabbit on a rough shoot then it will get shot at some point. I would talk to several spaniel men if you are thinking about a Cocker. I know people who have a vast ammount of experience with training dogs who wouldn't have one. As far as I am concerned all dogs should sit to flush and drop to shot. The other important thing is stop on the whistle. Everything else is secondary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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