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TFin04

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm a responsible 21 year old who will be moving out soon and I want to buy a dog when I do. I want one now, but my parents don't really want another dog. We had dogs until I was about 10.

Like the title says, I want to hunt and fish with my dog. Pheasants and ducks mostly for hunting. I'm new to hunting and haven't had my own dog to take care of ever. I helped out at 10 years old but that isn't really taking care of a dog.

I also want a dog that is a good house pet, good to take jogging and to social functions in the summer.

I'm looking at Labs, GSP's and Britney's right now. I like the size of the GSP and I'm a fan of shorter hair, but those are less important than the qualities of a dog.

Any pointers (pun intended) would be appreciated.
 
TFin look into the German Wire Hairs as well. I wanted a dog with the same qualities you are asking for. I bought one 2 years ago, and am glad I did. She is very birdy, fun, smart, loves to swim with me, and just a joy to be around. Maybe a little hyper, but I don't care. Good luck
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
I'm in Michigan.

I looked at the GWH as well. I like the looks of the GSP better. What are the differences in qualities between the two?

A lab is a bit "bland" I guess. Great family pets for sure but are there still good hunting breeds out there? I know they can and will hunt, but is that still a strong suit for them? I think this would be the easiest dog to own. Seems a lab is the typical family pet.
 
Tfin, My neighbor has a short hair, and he wishes he had a wire hair. We live in western NC and have a lot of briars where we hunt grouse. His dog gets scrapped up more and always has some welps from the briars. The wire hair protects the dog more. My dog is a little better pointer, but I do work her more than he does his, so take that with a grain of salt. He does admit he like my dogs ability and durablilty more. Either one will make a great companion.
 
My first suggestion is to wait a bit once you move out to buy a dog. Starting out is rather expensive and there are often costs one does not expect. Various pieces of furniture, curtains or shades, home or renter's insurance, dishes, pots and pans, silverware, linens, rugs, cleaning supplies and equipment, food, and a host of other household items are needed when one moves and are rather major drains on the income. That is not to mention the obvious such as mortgage or rent (which can be higher if one has certain types of pets), trash, water, electric, and phone bills, car and associated costs, and of course other "social" costs. The care of a dog is rather expensive, between vet bills, food, initial purchase price (proven good hunting stock will be more expensive than many out of the paper), and cost of other assorted items such as travel kennels, toys, leashes, collars, and training costs such as equipment, travel costs to training grounds, membership to a training organization (a great way to access equipment, grounds, help and knowledge, and eventually birds that you can't afford yet), cleaning costs while house breaking the pup, and the replacement of things damaged by pup's chewing. Waiting a bit to get settled in one's home and determine how much disposable income will be at their disposal will give all concerned a better standard of living. As hard as it is to not have a dog, it is even harder to give up the dog or get into financial difficulty trying to support it.
Of the three you mention, I would suggest a lab as it would be a better choice as an all season duck dog than the other two. I also think it is a bit easier to train a flushing dog as a newcomer than a pointer. It may also be easier to find a decent lab from hunting lines as they are so common plus get one at a bit better price (I know purchase price is a minor concern in the long run but for someone just starting out in life, a few bucks can be a deal breaker). The next choice would be the shorthair as I feel they are the lab equivalent of the pointing dog world with many of them being able to take a heavy training hand which can be common with a new, inexperienced trainer, without too much problem. I like Britts but I feel one needs to be fairly knowledgeable on pedigrees as there are so many bred more towards the bench than the field and many dual champs that I have seen seem to have field titles through good fortune
rather than ability.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
uglydog said:
My first suggestion is to wait a bit once you move out to buy a dog. Starting out is rather expensive and there are often costs one does not expect. Various pieces of furniture, curtains or shades, home or renter's insurance, dishes, pots and pans, silverware, linens, rugs, cleaning supplies and equipment, food, and a host of other household items are needed when one moves and are rather major drains on the income. That is not to mention the obvious such as mortgage or rent (which can be higher if one has certain types of pets), trash, water, electric, and phone bills, car and associated costs, and of course other "social" costs. The care of a dog is rather expensive, between vet bills, food, initial purchase price (proven good hunting stock will be more expensive than many out of the paper), and cost of other assorted items such as travel kennels, toys, leashes, collars, and training costs such as equipment, travel costs to training grounds, membership to a training organization (a great way to access equipment, grounds, help and knowledge, and eventually birds that you can't afford yet), cleaning costs while house breaking the pup, and the replacement of things damaged by pup's chewing. Waiting a bit to get settled in one's home and determine how much disposable income will be at their disposal will give all concerned a better standard of living. As hard as it is to not have a dog, it is even harder to give up the dog or get into financial difficulty trying to support it.
Of the three you mention, I would suggest a lab as it would be a better choice as an all season duck dog than the other two. I also think it is a bit easier to train a flushing dog as a newcomer than a pointer. It may also be easier to find a decent lab from hunting lines as they are so common plus get one at a bit better price (I know purchase price is a minor concern in the long run but for someone just starting out in life, a few bucks can be a deal breaker). The next choice would be the shorthair as I feel they are the lab equivalent of the pointing dog world with many of them being able to take a heavy training hand which can be common with a new, inexperienced trainer, without too much problem. I like Britts but I feel one needs to be fairly knowledgeable on pedigrees as there are so many bred more towards the bench than the field and many dual champs that I have seen seem to have field titles through good fortune
rather than ability.
Hey I appreciate the advice. I'm a financial advisor by day and believe me, I know all about the financial aspect of it. I'm fully prepared for this. :)

I'm leaning a bit more toward a lab now. This dog would probably be 75% house pet and 25% hunter. I think a lab would fit that role better than some of the other breeds I mentioned.

I like the size of the GSP and Brittany though. Most labs I see get quite big. Not too big of a deal I guess.

Any other info/advice is always welcome. Thanks!
 
I'm not gonna enter a spitting contest about this (because I love any and all bird dogs and see a place for each and every one of them). So, no need to cut & paste what I say because I'll say no more than:

I'm not a "Lab Man". I've got Springers. Have trained Chessies, Labs, GSP, Golden, and English & Irish Setters. Have competed in field trials in the 70s & 80s. When someone hunts with me, they often say: "Boy, I think I'd like to get a dog like yours". This is after seeing my girls work ducks/geese from a river blind one day and pheasants or quail the next. My breed recommendation to first time bird dog owners who are going to do it on their own: "Get a Lab".

And before you get a pup, read one book, by one of the Lab Guys, and do whatever it says.
 
Get a lab. Join a local retriever club. Buy Evan Graham's Smartworks books and "10 Minute Retriever" by Dahl.

Keep in mind,a young pup won't be able to stay in a crate all day long without accidents. So, someone needs to let them out to go during the day.
 
If you do choose to go with a Lab, be aware that there are huge differences between Field Bred Labs and Bench (show) Bred Labs. Spend the money up front by going with a good breeder. Look for pedigrees with FC (Field Champion) before the dogs name, or AFC (Amateur FC) or NFC (National FC). Or MH (Master Hunter) after the dogs name. The more titles in the pedigree the better. Avoid CH (Show Champion) before the name if you want a hunting Lab.

There are also many clearances that you should look for…hips, elbows, eyes and more.

Labs are number one for a reason. Their personality is wonderful. Mine is asleep on the floor now, but she's a hunting machine in the field.

Lee
 
Not to beat a dead horse but when I was your age, my time consisted of morning class, then work, possible evening classes then what free time was spent going out with friends. There are emotional costs included with owning a dog. You need to spend time training and socializing. You can't just put them in a kennel or send them to the sitter everytime you feel like going out. The dog will want your free time everyday.

I had a young roommate your age last May. He brought with him his dog. Friendly dog but became funny for lack of attention. He would leave for the weekend and leave the dog alone in his room or the backyard. The first month he was fine in caring for the dog but later became too much of a hassle for him. I ended up surrendering the dog to the shelter because it was destroying the house and getting loose by chewing thru the fence. It was also starting to bark at the neighborhood children. After two visits by animal control, two holes in the deck, destroyed hottub cover, and a large bag of dog food in three days (he starved the dog), I finally had enough, surrendered the dog and kicked him out.

To raise a dog takes alot of commitment and time especially hunting breeds. Hunting breeds in general need, time for socialization, time for training, and time for running. Make sure you can commit aleast 3 hours daily at a minimum.
 
Certainly not an expert here - but this may help you - it certainly helped me.

I was in the same boat as you for the past couple months - did a lot of research on the net/library etc. I contacted a number of bird dog "rescue" organizations and met a good number of dogs from puppies to oldsters. Last thursday we adopted Ruby - a three year old German Shorthair Pointer - bottom line - Ruby had a tough life previously and was an owner surrender to the German Shorthair Rescue of Wisconsin.

We COULD NOT BE HAPPIER!!!! Not that it mattered to me but she's an AKC purebread - a natural hunter - completly housetrained - a cuddler. I am SO psyched about Ruby - i can't wait til the weather breaks and we can work on some real birds - it's funny but on the way home from Wisconsin - I was walking her for a potty break - she went on POINT! I kicked the bush and out popped a cottontail!!!!!!! Now I know it wasn't a pheasant, but we've owned her for about 6 days now - and when she points - there is definitely something there - we scored a couple rabbits and three or four doves so far on our walks. Do a search for bird dog rescues - it's a rather weird process to have to be 'interviewed' before you are allowed to adopt a dog - but the price can't be beat (I paid 275 for a trained dog). You mentioned fishing - I have a small jon boat in my garage that she's VERY interested in getting into.If I can help in any way email me at ronald.biel@uscellular.com
Best of luck to you.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
I appreciate the feedback everyone. I know dogs are expensive and time consuming and I'm ready for that. I do appreciate that you are warning me though. I don't want to see a dog neglected any more than you do.

Pocket labs interest me. Is that a variation of the breed or just a name given to the smaller ones?

I've been going back and forth all day on a GSP or Lab. Right at the time I think I've nailed one down I read something else to change my mind.

I don't plan to buy from anyone but a reputable breeder. Info on finding those would be helpful. I think I can get a good dog from a good breeder for about $1500, is that reasonable?

Purebred labs seem to run anywhere from $500-1000 depending on the breeder, and another $500 or so for good training.

Any other info is appreciated.
 
TFin04 - It is more of a name that the guys that hunt the smaller labs call them. If your interested in one I can get you the name and number of an excellent linage of smaller labs. I have been trying to talk my buddy into breeding Camie (his pocket lab). I call her the rocket retriever

Image


That is her heading out for a goose. I have seen her hunt in all kinds of conditions and have yet to see a disadvantage to having a smaller lab. She is one hell of an upland dog also. Now all that aside, her mother and father are in Nebraska and I think their owner is having another set of pups. I will check into it and get back to you if you want.

Your cost is closer to a started to finished lab in my neck of the woods.

This shows her size better.
Image
 
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