Troosers Too Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Appologies in advance if I double post or otherwise mess this up - first post see. Having shot on and off for years and now recently, with living back in the UK, I've got the time, nearly enough money and the opportunity to shoot a lot more and I really want a dog. Mrs. TT is also keen to get involved with the beast & will probably do most of the real work as I work away for a couple of weeks a month. We're experienced dog owners but complete novices to training a working animal. Most of my shooting will be rough, walked up days with hopefully a few driven days as well. When I get the chance, I also beat at a local shoot, where the guys are pushing me towards an ESS. Mrs. TT is not sure about a spaniel, having seen too many badly trained lunatics in the past. We've has GSP's in the past and I know she would love another but would they be a good choice for the type of shooting I do & our lack of experience? Are all labradors walking stomachs? Would be very grateful for your views & advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 There's actually a popular quote about Labradors being, "a life support system for a stomach". Have seen it in print a few times. Having only ever had Labs, I can only agree...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Having no experience with any dogs other than labs and a springer I would recomend a springer. As long as someone has the time to train it. When I was looking at getting my springer everyone said that they are mad, but with the right training mine has turned OK. They will work tirelessly all day in the beating line and then go on to pick up. A springer gets my vote Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troosers Too Posted November 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Martin & Baldrick Thanks for that. I've always had a soft spot for spaniels after one aquired me a few years ago. He had an amazing ability to get disgustingly filthy. Much like me. I'm just going to have to work on Mrs TT a bit harder. It is a real shame that our GSP bitch was only really ever going to be a pet cos she's got all the instincts - points beautifully, loves hunting but she's getting too old now to try to change things. Also if I try to get her to go into any heavy cover she just gives me that look. "I've shown you where they are. If you want them out go get them yourself or buy a spaniel - what do you think I am?" What do you think of the spaniel / labrador crosses. Springadors or whatever you want to call them. Best of both or just the opposite? TT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 I don't know much about springadors but I would imagine that they will be the same as any other dog, you will only get out what you put in. My springer was my first dog that I trained and it was hard work at times, other times you were waiting for a fall as it seemed so easy. To see him work is a joy and when he does things for the first time the feeling is great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Labrador. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old rooster Posted December 2, 2006 Report Share Posted December 2, 2006 My ESS is a joy, 11 months now and IMHO will cover the wide range of applications you are looking for. Like you I do a bit of walking up, just started beating on a really friendly local shoot and do the odd driven day. I'd hope to use mine for beating and picking up next season if training goes to plan. I'd say the ESS is probably harder to train than a Lab but you'll do well to find a Lab that will go into the dense cover an ESS thrives on. Just my thoughts. Enjoy whichever you go for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobby dazzler Posted December 3, 2006 Report Share Posted December 3, 2006 labrador Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead-Eyed Duck Posted December 3, 2006 Report Share Posted December 3, 2006 Labradors are for old men Get a Springer and have done with it Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Fox Posted December 3, 2006 Report Share Posted December 3, 2006 I think female lab's are the easier to start with, often people start with them, ESS are brilliant dogs as well ..... ummm tough choice, get a 1 of each! I like the look of the Clumber spaniels, not sure what they are like for working though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadSpringer Posted December 3, 2006 Report Share Posted December 3, 2006 Springer Bitch! And make sure you put the time in! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazza Posted December 3, 2006 Report Share Posted December 3, 2006 Labrador Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHARLY Posted December 3, 2006 Report Share Posted December 3, 2006 HOT SHOT and TT Clumbers are awesome working dogs. Contact the working Clumber spaniel society via thier website and take a look, you won`t be dissapointed. Good luck Charly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter_HMR Posted December 4, 2006 Report Share Posted December 4, 2006 get a labrador who can hunt and you'll be set no chasing a springer around We used to have one that caught tonnes of rabbits and bring em back to us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russuk Posted December 4, 2006 Report Share Posted December 4, 2006 how about a HPR breed, GSP or GWP maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferretboy111 Posted December 4, 2006 Report Share Posted December 4, 2006 Im liking cocker spaniels at the moment, everyone my end seems to be getting 1 at the moment aswell, the ones i know of are cracking picker uppers and beating dogs, they have had an odd rabbit or 2 aswell! Easy to train aswell, not as tough as a ESS though! Im torn between getting a terrier or a cocker at the moment, not that it will be yet that i get one! Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon master Posted December 10, 2006 Report Share Posted December 10, 2006 Hi, springer for me and like Madspringer said, they take lots of time and effort. I'm sure what ever you get, it'll be trained, and looked after very well. The PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troosers Too Posted December 15, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2006 Sorry about the delay in replying - I was on my time off & avoid the computer like the plague when I'm home. One of the great things I've noticed about these forums is that whenever someone asks for advice, on any subject, they get loads of replies - all giving different answers. So at the moment I can see I'm going to have to tell Mrs TT that we're getting a Lab, a Springer, a Cocker, a Clumber & another GSP. I may be gone for some time Needless to say - as soon as I started talking about another dog, my GSP has suddenly turned over a new leaf. I was out in the junglies with her this week & she behaved beautifully, stayed close enough, hunted, pointed, the lot. She still won't retrieve, but she will find & indicate fallen birds - so I'm well chuffed. After that day, I was singing her praises to my brother, who raised a disbelieving eyebrow so - off we went two days later and the same thing - she was brilliant! Even big brother was impressed. I am forced to admit that this progress is much more down to the dog than to your's truly's rigorously effective training program. Cheers TT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted December 15, 2006 Report Share Posted December 15, 2006 Good luck and take your time LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth Stalker Posted December 16, 2006 Report Share Posted December 16, 2006 I'm gonna be a bit different & say golden retreiver OK I'm biased. She's the best dog I've ever had ( had labs all my life) this one was trained by me! If your after a good retriever, easily trained, loyal obedient dog you can't go wrong with a Goldie, mine is with me everywhere I go, lamping, decoying, ferreting, formal driven days, beating ,in fact the gamekeeper has commented that she's the best beating dog he's seen in a long while, he asks if becky's available before he asks me I often think she reads my mind & dose what I want her to do before I've even thought about how I'm gonna ask her to do it. Also when in the pub she attracts alot of female attention......Which is nice :unsure: Go Goldie SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.