samowen318 Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 looking for a gun dog to accompany me on my shooting outings next year, i have just got a whippet recently for ferreting and lamping but what gun dog is best or what gun dog should i get for going ferreting, wildfowling, pigeon and crow shooting and possibly rough shooting once or twice a season? any advice welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 looking for a gun dog to accompany me on my shooting outings next year, i have just got a whippet recently for ferreting and lamping but what gun dog is best or what gun dog should i get for going ferreting, wildfowling, pigeon and crow shooting and possibly rough shooting once or twice a season? any advice welcome I would recommend a Labrador for a first time dog not sure if it would be good when ferreting though as they have a tendency to keep retrieving the rabbits you have caught Whatever you do get make sure it is from good working stock LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 looking for a gun dog to accompany me on my shooting outings next year, i have just got a whippet recently for ferreting and lamping but what gun dog is best or what gun dog should i get for going ferreting, wildfowling, pigeon and crow shooting and possibly rough shooting once or twice a season? any advice welcome I would recommend a Labrador for a first time dog not sure if it would be good when ferreting though as they have a tendency to keep retrieving the rabbits you have caught Whatever you do get make sure it is from good working stock LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traztaz Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 Get a good working GSP, mine does all of that, and will blood trail and pinn wounded deer.........what more can you ask?Bloody brill dogs!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony2 Posted December 25, 2008 Report Share Posted December 25, 2008 i have a labrador for pigeon and rough shooting, if you go for a lab i would suggest you think about what sex you get i always go for males although they can be a bit head strong. i would agree it would better to get a lab from a working line which mine is but my first lab came from a show line it was hard to train him but he turned out to be an ace pigeon shooting dog. for ferreting i have a cross patterdale/border brilliant for grabbing rabbits as they bolt and will go into brambles and thick cover with no hesitation . only problems are that they will soon go to ground once they start to hunt and will dissapear down a rabbit hole before you can say jack robinson so i put a small ferret tracker on his collar and keep my trenching spade close. hope this helps. regards tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodfish Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 (edited) Don't be put off from getting a Springer, as rough shooting dog to work headges brambles rough ground you wont get better. Even standing on a peg they are still good for a retreive. Just do your homework and get a good working dog one that was bred to give the breeder a good dog not a bigger bank balance. Edited January 26, 2009 by rodfish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustyfox Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 For Wildfowling a Labrador anyday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecooper1 Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 springer gets my vote mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted January 27, 2009 Report Share Posted January 27, 2009 For Wildfowling a Labrador anyday. Chessie ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samowen318 Posted January 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2009 Cheers for all the feedback, does anybody know of any for sale? I am not fussed whether it is a spaniel or a lab as i cant really afford to be fussy as i dont have that much money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon2008 Posted January 27, 2009 Report Share Posted January 27, 2009 Im interested in getting a pup too but im away from home 8am - 6pm so will have to build a run and get a shed 1st. Want an all round gun dog/family pet so have narrowed it down to a lab or cocker spaniel. Labs are obviously well recomended but whats the views on cockers??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustyfox Posted January 27, 2009 Report Share Posted January 27, 2009 Im interested in getting a pup too but im away from home 8am - 6pm so will have to build a run and get a shed 1st. Want an all round gun dog/family pet so have narrowed it down to a lab or cocker spaniel. Labs are obviously well recomended but whats the views on cockers??? If your away for that amount of time, is there really point in getting a dog? Puppy will need a lot of time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon2008 Posted January 27, 2009 Report Share Posted January 27, 2009 If your away for that amount of time, is there really point in getting a dog? Puppy will need a lot of time I know...thats my only concern?? The wife only works 2 1/2 days a week so the majority of the week would be fine but thats what s putting me off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustyfox Posted January 27, 2009 Report Share Posted January 27, 2009 I know...thats my only concern?? The wife only works 2 1/2 days a week so the majority of the week would be fine but thats what s putting me off. Have you got a neighbor that you really trust? 10 hours away from a puppy will seem a long time for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon2008 Posted January 27, 2009 Report Share Posted January 27, 2009 Have you got a neighbor that you really trust? 10 hours away from a puppy will seem a long time for him. Outlaws are 5 mins away; I live in the middle of no where so could ask but they are already very good with childcare so wouldnt want to be taking the ****!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_commoner Posted January 28, 2009 Report Share Posted January 28, 2009 i have a cocker spaniel, from show lines as opposed to working, she has a excellent temprament , hunts up very well and this season has finally got the idea when it comes to retrieveing - she doesn't have that 'natural ability' but lots of patience has paid off and she is 'OK' she will never win any medals but a great dog that comes rabbiting, rough shooting and is also a pet having said that i would DEFINATELY go for working lines next time and it would probably be a cocker again, although i have been toying with the thought of a black lab....................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 Cheers for all the feedback, does anybody know of any for sale? I am not fussed whether it is a spaniel or a lab as i cant really afford to be fussy as i dont have that much money. samowen, the purchase price of the dog is just the entry fee. Dogs aren't cheap to keep and the initial price is far less than the 'running costs'. As an example, I got my roxy as a pup in the US from hunting stock. She was $600, which is fairly normal for well bred but not super field champion hunting lines. Over the first year we had 4 vet visits including an initial visit to meet the vet and get roxy's second shots, her last set of shots, and a visit to get her fixed. The total for the 4 vet visits that year was closer to $1000 than $600. She goes through a bag of food every other month for £16 a month (£200 a year). Assorted toys and treats come and go as funds are available when I see something for her. Vet bills this year (not counting the $275 from when she got bit on a sunday) were in the $200 range. Of course we also moved her from the US to here which incurred a lot of cost, but that was an exceptional circumstance that few others will hae to deal with (if someone else DOES have to do it, I can help with the planning). So just be advised that you should figure a dog for £25 a month in your budget scheme plus pet insurance if you get it, all on top of the initial price of the dog. Sometimes I think it would just be a lot easier and cheaper without a dog in the house. Then she comes and cuddles up against you on the couch and I know why I'll probably not be without a dog. Thanks, Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracker Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 CBF, beg pardon if you've noted it elsewhere and I missed it, but what breed is your American import? Did you import the dog, or perhaps bring it over with you when moving to the UK? Either can be a tricky tack seldom deployed because of the quarantine or even the Pet Passport scheme, meaning you cannot get a pup in your possession in the UK until at least 6 mos. old. I've never known Labs or spaniels brought (back) into the UK from elsewhere for working purposes, the only gundog that's gone that route in my familiarity is the Chessie, an American breed. For the original What Gundog? poster, the answer, if the above could be circumvented, would be a spaniel and a retriever that are one and the same, the Boykin spaniel. MG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 I have said it a million times but i do like the Boykin, just a shame they are not recognised by the KC as they are in America But if you are not woried about that they seem great all round dogs to have, although i have not seen many advertised in the UK...but i could be wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikee Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 That many people cant be wrong, get yourself a labrador i would advise a bitch for a first attempt, dogs can be head strong and hard work at times mikee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Sweepy Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 My little springer do everything the lab would do and more. She is a real star. Sweepy has taken her wildfowling with him this year.And she has done everything that he has asked of her. Shes always eager to please. And she will sit beside him all day in the hide. At home its just like having the cat . She must be the only springer that is not mad. And she will quite happy lay in her bed. All day if you yet her. I would recommend springers as the family pet too. We would never swap her for the lab. But that is are own personal choice. xxxxSuzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 Marco has done nothing all day except lie in his bed lazy sod. but when we are out with the gun he works like a trojan.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anser2 Posted February 1, 2009 Report Share Posted February 1, 2009 Sam to do all the things you ask for its got to be a lab realy . Springes are great dogs , but their instinct is to busy all the time while a lab will be happy to sit and watch the world go by while wildfowling. Labs also have the advantage over springers that they dry off very quickly and they are strong enough to cope with big geese , something a lot of the smaller springers struggle with. On the down side some labs can be shy of thick cover when you are rough shooting. As for me I have a golden retriever and a young lab. I have also had springers in the past , but as you say its going to be your first dog perhaps a lab would be an easy option. There is an old phrase which can ring very true for a beginner at dog training " Most labs are born half trained , most springers die half trained ". Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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