Which Dog For Me?

[MissRhianL 70]

Hey guys, ive just applied for my shot gun license and have been thinking about getting a gun dog to retrieve and bush, flush or possibly mark holes, but im stuck in as to which breed will be best to my needs. Is it best to get one at a few weeks old or a few months old? Any help would be apprechiated.

[Dan Newcombe 58]

Id wait a bit before you get a dog.

 

If you are learning to shoot / newish to it the last thing you want is to be worrying about your dog. PLus you might find you dont really enjoy it as much as you thought you would and you are stuck with a dog for the next 12 years.

 

BUT

 

As to what dog to get, again if you wait you will figure out the best kind of dog for you. If you end up a pigeon shooter then there is no point in a spaniel.

 

A walked up shooter then a lab will not do the job a spaniel will (no matter what people say)

 

But for a bit of everything, a lab is hard to beat.

 

I have a cocker spaniel and wouldnt be without one but i wouldnt take him in a hide. He would hate it, shooting rabbits with him though is a different story. Best sport you can have

[Ideation 8,216]

That's some very good advice there.

 

No point in rushing into a dog, you may not have the work for.

 

But given that you run the lurchers etc, i think a springer will end up suiting you

 

Training a gun dog to work with lurchers and gun independently is a real ball ache mind.

 

Training a good gun dog is very time consuming.

[labstaff 0]

I'd agree with the above advice, start shooting and see what you do the most of. I love my labs but if your rough shooting and walking round then i'd say a spaniel is better.

[DIVERD 34]

i have found the advice given here very interesting, i am in a similar situation. I have been shooting for years, but have never worked a dog. I have a pal, a gun dog trainer with a lab pup with my name on it. He is holding it for me whilst i battle with the decision over taking a dog, or leaving it a year or so. We already have a dog as a house pet, an elderly english bull terrier and i have had dogs all my life, but never a working one.

 

I am looking for an all rounder, a pet, a dog to locate shot deer, retreave game and also to flush game. I am told that as a jack of all trades a lab is ideal and my pal will help with all the training, so i have no worries there.

 

Both parents are working dogs, and my pal is by all accounts an expert, well respected and well known locally. I know and trust him, and he assures me the dog will be able to do everything i am looking for and it will considerably open up my shooting opportunities.

 

We are looking at a dog that can work with ducks, geese, deer, rabbits, pheasants, grouse and pigeons.

 

Folks - your thoughts and advice would be welcome.

[Dan Newcombe 58]

Lab every time. Simples