Best Quail/Dove dog?
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Good lord man are you trying to start a fight :shock:
For doves you just get Anything that can stand the heat and will go get the birds for you. Hell a Jack Russel or Dachshund properly force fetch trained could do that.
For quail there are probably only 100 or so breeds to do that.
Is this dog living in a Kennel or in a house, how much time do you have to train? Any kids around? Lot or little yard? Here are some breeds I or hunting pardners have had good luck with.
Vizsla
Llewellen Setter
Drahthaar
Brittany Spaniel
I've hunted behind some great English Pointers but they were the most unfriendly, no listening SOB's I've ever seen. I've yet to see an E.P. that I really liked and I've hunted behind at least 30 of them and some trained by very well known trainers.
For doves you just get Anything that can stand the heat and will go get the birds for you. Hell a Jack Russel or Dachshund properly force fetch trained could do that.
For quail there are probably only 100 or so breeds to do that.
Is this dog living in a Kennel or in a house, how much time do you have to train? Any kids around? Lot or little yard? Here are some breeds I or hunting pardners have had good luck with.
Vizsla
Llewellen Setter
Drahthaar
Brittany Spaniel
I've hunted behind some great English Pointers but they were the most unfriendly, no listening SOB's I've ever seen. I've yet to see an E.P. that I really liked and I've hunted behind at least 30 of them and some trained by very well known trainers.
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I would go with either a Brittany or Vizsla but no matter which breed you choose make sure they are from hunting lines or the dog will not be to the breeds potential. It's a damn shame that so many Vizsla's are show dogs and not hunters because they are excellent field dogs.
Pigeonhunter:
Not to pick a fight or anything, but most of the Vizsla's I have seen are from hunting stock. Its a recently introduced breed from old Europe and they have kept the bloodlines pure. Of course, once the Americans get ahold of a breed all bets are off. For the most part I would say a Vizsla is more apt to have a nose as opposed to randomly grabbing an English Setter or Britt.
For a hunting buddy/family pet I would stay away form the EP, but thats just me. If you have children then a softer breed is nice for the kids. My Llewellin and Setters in general are gentle. My guy wont bite anything except JuneBugs and thats cause he knows my wife is afraid of them. So he is her hero...
Remember to be honest with yourself about what the dog will be doing. Retrieving, pointing, water, upland, Texas Hell Heat Dove hunting or chasing a ball for the kids. Research the breeds characteristics online and then post something like...
Hey guys what do you think of the Springer Spaniel I am thinking about.... I want to use him for ....
Best of luck...
Not to pick a fight or anything, but most of the Vizsla's I have seen are from hunting stock. Its a recently introduced breed from old Europe and they have kept the bloodlines pure. Of course, once the Americans get ahold of a breed all bets are off. For the most part I would say a Vizsla is more apt to have a nose as opposed to randomly grabbing an English Setter or Britt.
For a hunting buddy/family pet I would stay away form the EP, but thats just me. If you have children then a softer breed is nice for the kids. My Llewellin and Setters in general are gentle. My guy wont bite anything except JuneBugs and thats cause he knows my wife is afraid of them. So he is her hero...
Remember to be honest with yourself about what the dog will be doing. Retrieving, pointing, water, upland, Texas Hell Heat Dove hunting or chasing a ball for the kids. Research the breeds characteristics online and then post something like...
Hey guys what do you think of the Springer Spaniel I am thinking about.... I want to use him for ....
Best of luck...
I did'nt want to piss any body off, I just don't know jack about hunting dogs, as far as the type of hunting 60% dove and 40% quail, big fenced in yard and 2 kids(5 year old& 2year old), and where I live in Texas IT GETS HOT, everybody and there grandma uses labs for dove, GSP's, EP's, and Britts, for the quail, down here so I just wanted some outside opinions, but I heard labs make great companions and are good family dogs, thats what all my hunting buddies with labs say. I have never had one. I'm gonna take your advice Live2Hunt, and research the breeds, but I'm pushing towards a lab, just dunno how hard its gonna be to train it for quail, either way guys thanks for all the input, hopefully in a couple of years I'll be able to answer some new guys questions.
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Roughneck,
If you want a lab, well here you go. I'd never heard of these things but an old customer of mine had one in Kansas that he hunted pheasant, quail and ducks with.
http://www.almabottom.com/
If you want a lab, well here you go. I'd never heard of these things but an old customer of mine had one in Kansas that he hunted pheasant, quail and ducks with.
http://www.almabottom.com/
Labs can be a handfull. They are big loveable goofs that love to retrieve. It would not be my first choice for a Quail dog though... Remember folks are bias towards the dogs they own and should be, just take it all with a grain of salt.
Best of luck and let us know if we can help...
Best of luck and let us know if we can help...
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I'd like to add one thing. Lab puppies are FULL of energy and are about as graceful as a drunk monkey. Don't get me wrong I love my little lab but be ready for walks galore because Lab puppies are the energizer bunny they keep on going and going....
but they do make great dogs.
Oh, and live2 your in a part of the country where hunting is more widley accepted so the Vizsla's there are probably almost all hunters but here they are almost ALL showdogs and family pets only. People buy them because them because they look cool but don't realize the dogs have to hunt. I have a story about a woman and Vizsla and I'll tell you if you ant me to.
but they do make great dogs.
Oh, and live2 your in a part of the country where hunting is more widley accepted so the Vizsla's there are probably almost all hunters but here they are almost ALL showdogs and family pets only. People buy them because them because they look cool but don't realize the dogs have to hunt. I have a story about a woman and Vizsla and I'll tell you if you ant me to.
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That is the exactly what they are. You can't forget about how much they eatLive2Hunt said:
.I am an experienced lab owner and will say that they make a great retrieving dog. They can also be trained as a flushing dog for pheasant, grouse, etc. I have hunted quail with my labs and they were very mediocre. It doesn't matter to me because there aren't any quail left in MO anymore. If you do some searches you will find info on Pointing Labs. I am a skeptic but there are many who are "true believers" in this type of lab. My labs are titled hunt test dogs who are as sociable and calm as any family pet can be but when you send them after a duck you better get out of the way. Same with doves.
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Lenny's a good boy. He's to giant to be an English Pointer, I think he's an American Pointer. We need to get him out on some wild quail and see how he does.
You guys need to come to deep, deep, deeeeep south Texas, theres more wild quail than you can shake a stick at. You really don't need a pointer just a good retriever, you walk a good 30-50 yards and flush out quail like IHOP serves panckes. I would like a dog that does both, but will end up settling for a lab, talked to a breeder this afternoon and am (probly have'nt made up my mind yet) gonna leave a deposit on Fri., still need to talk it over with the wife. Thanks again for all the input and info.
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The best quail and pheasant dog I ever hunted with was a German Shorthair Pointer. She was excellent at retrieving dove too.
Get a ***** and have her spayed. The girls are easier to get along with and are more focused hunters.
Brittany Spaniels are great too, but Texas heat may be a bit much for them.
Scott
Get a ***** and have her spayed. The girls are easier to get along with and are more focused hunters.
Brittany Spaniels are great too, but Texas heat may be a bit much for them.
Scott
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I've had my lab for about 6 weeks now. My mom was alergic, so I couldn't have a dog as a kid. I had to wait untill my wife and I bought a house because we didn't want one in an apartment, so the day after we moved I was on the 'net looking for one. He's been a really good dog. All he needs is a piece of dried rawhide in his mouth at all time to chew on and 2 walks a day.
Pigeonhunter we'd love to hear a story about a lady and her Vizsla.
Does anyone else's lab eat like its the last time its been 5 days since its eaten last? I feed him twice a day, but he literally inhales his food. By the time I oput the bag away in the cupboard he's done.
Pigeonhunter we'd love to hear a story about a lady and her Vizsla.
Does anyone else's lab eat like its the last time its been 5 days since its eaten last? I feed him twice a day, but he literally inhales his food. By the time I oput the bag away in the cupboard he's done.
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