MM Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 (edited) been doing a lot of thinking this year about buying a dog. aint got its passed by the WDO (Wife Dog officer), but i can give her a nice surprise when she least expects it. my question for the debating is this: is it possible to have a dog as a family pet first and a working dog second. i feel the only way my Mrs will give in to me, is if its classed as a pet. and the next part is: if so, what type of dog would you recomend (nothing bigger than a Lab) Cheers Edited October 27, 2008 by martinmoreton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 YES go for a springer.. good pet and a good worker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewis Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 Yes springer or a lab. Both are very good with children Although a lab is a big calmer in my opinion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul in North Lincs. Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 most certainly.............. yes I had a lovely ESS...although kenneled outside he still had manners in the house and was a wonderfull loving pet aswell. Springers are brilliant copnaions..their willingness to please their owner and the loyality they have for their owners is something else..... If a springers too robhust...go for a sprocker or cocker......btu they're not for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 depends on the time you have, I'd say Lab as a first choice as they are born half trained. Springers are great but they need so much more time and exercise plus can do your head in during training. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver_pigeon Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 A Springer for sure! Amazing dogs and brilliant as both trusted and loyal family pets, and then also fab dogs out in the field as workers! Great size and I agree on the exercise front...they do need a lot, more than a Lab for sure, but if you're ok with that then although I love labradors...soft spot for Springers as ours was brilliant and a great friend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 A few questions will help you to decide which breed is right for you, but in answer to your original question yes it is perfectly possible to have a pet dog which can perform in the field. So, the questions you need to ask yourself then: What kind of shooting do you do and so what type of work do you want the dog to do? How much time do you have to spend training/exercising your new dog? What standard are you looking to achieve in your training? What experience have you got in dog training and how willing are you (in terms of both time and possibly financial commitment) to get the help you may need? Have a think about these things and it will help people to give you clear guidance as to what breed would suit you best. For my money a lab is the one you want if you have little experience of dogs and it is to be a good house dog too. Springers ARE great - I've got one - but a well bred, high drive springer takes a lot of handling and time to get it to the point where you can take it out shooting. I've got a lab too, although she can't work due to an injury she sustained when she was younger, and you barely know she's in the house - not the case with the springer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barn_Owl Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 You must decide if the dog's a family pet first - working dog second or:- working dog first and family pet second !! The short answer is yes to both but don't expect a fully trained totally disciplined shooting dog if you choose the former. The dog should have one master who follow's a strict routine with feeding, opening a door, lead walking, sitting, training etc. etc. etc. etc. Will young Martin and WDO follow your example with discipline ?? if your at work or out fishing for the day What type of dog ?? Well you could refer to "The Playpen" thread about Girl's Aloud (you started it ) and see how we all differ with our personal choice. The gundog Poll is very interesting with 9 different breeds listed and a couple of excellent none mainstream dogs chosen. The breed of dog you choose must reflect the type of shooting you do .. as all gundogs will make good pets however certain breeds excel in specific areas of our sport. Will this be your first gundog ?? Have you any experience of training ?? (Some breeds are easier than others.) What type of shooting is the dog for ?? Dog or bitch ?? (GSP's are beautiful animals and the bitch is usually smaller than the dog) Living inside or out ?? (Kennel and run are very desirable even if it's outside during the day and inside at night or vice versa.) Will you go beating ?? (Leverhulmes Estate.) Which ever breed you choose it will open a whole new dimension to your shooting but remember that patience is a virtue when training a gundog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fallarben Posted October 27, 2008 Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 id agree with barn owl there 100% u need to disside the type of shooting u are going to use the dog for then disside best dog for job personaly i profer a lab for waterfowling and alot of retrieving work a springer for hunting with alot of retrieving and a cocker if the cover is thick because they seem to get under it better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted October 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2008 some great info there chaps, thanks. Last dog i had was an Irish wolf hound. I was 4 years old . Always been around dogs, but never had the time. now im spending a bit more office hours at home and with the kids, id like something that can be taken out with the family as well. Not into the sky shooting lark yet, so it will be trained for flushing rabbits, and would like it to retrive (if you can get a good mix of the two). Deffo would like the dog to live outside, which im sure will mean extra hours training, and as ive cant train my kids, never mind a dog, ill be seeking pro help. Ive a friend who is a trainer, and im sure she will be helpfull. On the financial side, im fine there, so itll be in a caged kennel outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickb Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 The shoot I was beating on this weekend, bloke had a "Springerdor" (Lab/Springer cross) superb worker and steady gun dog, and as friendly as you like, deffo on the list for my next dog. ATB Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 Not into the sky shooting lark yet, so it will be trained for flushing rabbits, and would like it to retrive (if you can get a good mix of the two). A spaniel's the dog for hunting and flushing, no doubt - although a lab can do the job, just not as well. Cocker's are generally a more sensistive breed than Springers and some feel they (Cockers) are more challenging to train, I can't comment as I've never had one. If it's living out it will be fine (not too much spaniel hyper activity in the house) but if it's living out it sounds more like a working dog than a pet? These dogs have inherently good natures so it will more than likely interact fine with the family, but I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for if the dog is to live out? To give you an idea of where I am coming from, my springer is a working dog first and a pet second - by that I mean if I had no need for her to work I wouldn't have her. To put it bluntly, if there is a lot going on in the house (and there generally is with my two young kids ) she is a pain in the you know what, hence she is either with me during the day or she is kennelled at home, she comes into the house at night when things have settled down. The lab on the other hand is a pet dog, she lives for food and walks and is quiet or sleeping the rest of the time in the house. Take plenty of time to think about all aspects of your life, your shooting and how the dog will fit in and you'll make the right decision. Cheers WGD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted October 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 A spaniel's the dog for hunting and flushing, no doubt - although a lab can do the job, just not as well. Cocker's are generally a more sensistive breed than Springers and some feel they (Cockers) are more challenging to train, I can't comment as I've never had one. If it's living out it will be fine (not too much spaniel hyper activity in the house) but if it's living out it sounds more like a working dog than a pet? These dogs have inherently good natures so it will more than likely interact fine with the family, but I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for if the dog is to live out? To give you an idea of where I am coming from, my springer is a working dog first and a pet second - by that I mean if I had no need for her to work I wouldn't have her. To put it bluntly, if there is a lot going on in the house (and there generally is with my two young kids ) she is a pain in the you know what, hence she is either with me during the day or she is kennelled at home, she comes into the house at night when things have settled down. The lab on the other hand is a pet dog, she lives for food and walks and is quiet or sleeping the rest of the time in the house. Take plenty of time to think about all aspects of your life, your shooting and how the dog will fit in and you'll make the right decision. Cheers WGD thats my main issue really. i dont want one smashing around the place, even when its been walked to death. The kids are enough without them putting a saddle on it, and trying to jump the fences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 A young springer will, regardless of the amount of exercise, be in amongst anything that's going on in the house... then it gets shouted at, gets all sorts of commands from everyone in the house, it doesn't understand any of them and it completely messes up any training you are trying to do. One thing to remember is that the dogs mind needs stimulted and exercised as well as it's body - you can free run a dog for a couple of hours but 20 minutes training where the dog is under control all the time and taking instruction can have more of an affect if you want it to lie down and sleep. I say CAN have more of an affect, it's not guaranteed WGD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted October 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 cheers guys. you are all being very helpfull, and im greatfull for the input. need to consider the welfare of the dog first, and how much/little work it will have to do. With a good bit of training and patience, i might pull it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fallarben Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 i have a springer bitch for sale that will live in or out pm if interested Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traztaz Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 This may or may not help you but I am a GSP man , the dog will do all work , pointing, flushing , blood tracking, and if needed pinning, its a mid sized dog , as is the GWP anathor excelrnt allrounder.They are also great in water, for the duck shooting.Mine is both my dog the gun dog and our dog the pet, one of three dogs in the house. He has kennle time and house time, the other two do not have kannle time as they are not gun dogs , I let him sleep in my house/guard t at night...........it would take an idiot to take Sam on as he is a big and boistourus boy!! The answer to your question is you can have what you decide to have provided you know what you want and you train the dog accordingly. Best of luck and hope it comes right as the best friend you will ever have is a gun dog!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 I am not so sure about having a dog for a family pet and a gundog. I have had 3 puppies that have grown up with the kids and ex Mrs. All loved to play and one won second prize in a local dog show when my ex mrs daughter took it without my knowledge. However once they started shooting all three largely ignored other members of the family and would only follow comands by myself. Even though the Mrs usualy fed the dogs all looked to me as master. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Posted October 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 i have a springer bitch for sale that will live in or out pm if interested thanks for the offer mate, but im still doing a lot of research into what would be best for me and for the dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 (edited) However once they started shooting all three largely ignored other members of the family and would only follow comands by myself. That's a fair comment, our lab will listen to anybody but my springer is my dog and although well socialised with, and integrated into, the family she won't listen to anyone but me.... and even that's an optional extra at times Edited October 29, 2008 by wgd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fallarben Posted October 29, 2008 Report Share Posted October 29, 2008 my springer will go with me or anybody asa long as its getting worked as for the lab she will go with someone else but once got a retrieve she runs round looking for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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