Wildfowling Dogs

[Buch 145]

Hi. Ive been contemplating trying some Wildfowling for a long time now but with little or no experiance so id be starting at the deepend. One this ive learnt in you pretty much have to have a dog for your retrieving. Now myquestion is what breeds are considered the best for wildfowling? From what i can tell most people seem to have Labs. What are the limmiting factors for getting the right dog? Im assuming that a GSP or a Wiemerrana (spelling? :icon_redface: ) would be unsuitable due to coat,but can you use a GWP for instance? Thanks for any info. Ive never had a "gundog" before!

[Guest john5]

Hi. Ive been contemplating trying some Wildfowling for a long time now but with little or no experiance so id be starting at the deepend. One this ive learnt in you pretty much have to have a dog for your retrieving. Now myquestion is what breeds are considered the best for wildfowling? From what i can tell most people seem to have Labs. What are the limmiting factors for getting the right dog? Im assuming that a GSP or a Wiemerrana (spelling? :icon_redface: ) would be unsuitable due to coat,but can you use a GWP for instance? Thanks for any info. Ive never had a "gundog" before!

same boat as me pal , seems to be labradors , i got a weirmaraner but the coats are thin so they have to be always moving

[Dave C 63]

All the HPR breeds can be used, although some take to it better than others, the GWP is better equipt with haveing a better jacket, although it may not be the best choice for someone looking for a first time dog, i have had both and will be having another GWP in the future but if i was you i would go for a lab mate, easy to train and biddable.

 

Good luck and let us know what you choose.

 

Dave.

[marlin vs 7]

You won't go wrong with a lab.

[gene66 4]

I'm in the same boat and have decided on an Irish water spaniel, not easy to train but worth the effort.

[kiwi 4]

labs are great, but they still require the same amount of training as any other breed.

if you do alot of rough shooting a spaniel or hpr will do the job, just watch the temp of your chosen breed some like gsp's and visla's don't have the patience for sitting in the mud for hours on end.

the wirehair is my pick, but i use my cockers at times.

both are aussie black swans the biggest birds we get to shoot in nz.

[Dan Newcombe 58]

Not wanting to sound patronising but are you sure that you actually need a dog at this stage. As you have mentioned, you are thinking about having a go. remember the dog will be with you for the next 13 or so years at least, a big investment and commitment for an experiment.

 

It can be hard to get somewhere to go wildfowling so on the simplest of levels that could put the stops on your ambition and then you have a dog you have less use for than you intended.

 

Maybe better to have a go with someone that is experienced etc and then decide on the dog when you decide it sitting in the cold mud is your cup of tea?

 

That aside i would lean towards the specific retrievers because thats what they are bred for!

 

A spaniel will probably do it but lacks the size and strength to do it as well as most retrievers. If you are buying a dog for a specific purpose why not get the most suitable.

 

I would lean towards a Golden retriever but that only because i had them growing up and i like them. A lab is probably the cheaper bet and easier to get a good working strain. Or a chesapeake bay retriever, they are meant to be the ultimate specialist wildfowl dog.

 

Good luck with your choice