Allround Small Gundog?

[Stuart Murray 0]

Hope this is the correct forum for this ,apologies if not ( new member). I am currently researching into a breed or cross breed of dog that would be useful for our farm shoot, rough shooting, pigeon shooting & beating. which would also be on the small side & a family member in the house ( not asking much)! Have previously had Springers (kennelled) but I need a dog that is a bit less active as the knees dont allow for miles & miles of exercise, needs to retrieve, but more of a jack of all trades than specialist. maybe a terrier of some sort? Any thoughts greatfully received, Stu.

[Mochastorm 68]

The disciplines you've outlined are the job for a spaniel, be it Springer or Cocker. The only box they don't tick are the low energy to save your knees, but you've owned spaniels before and know that. A terrier would be very hit and miss, although I'm sure some will reply explaining how they own a terrier that hunts cover like a spaniel, stops to the whistle, retrieves like a Labrador and cleans your gun at the end of the day. Have you considered a Cocker?

[Jedi Master 30]

Another vote for a cocker from me much more likely to fulfill your needs than terrier also Smaller and not as mad as a springer

[Stuart Murray 0]

Thanks for the advice, funnily enough I had to do some business with a local-ish keeper this morning & put the question to him, answer - cocker all the way & he has access to some rather good working lines, cheers.

[dee mac 579]

Cocker would be the obvious choice but in saying that we ve kept a lot of springers over the years and brother has a cocker on at the moment and I think the springer is that bit more calm when not at work the brothers cocker can't even sit without twitching and is just go go go 24/7 which is why I have nicknamed it the black whizzer lol

[Puddinghead 6]

I've never owned a cocker mate but the ones I've known on shoots tend to be as mad or sometimes madder than springer's, saying that the brother in law has a springer and he's a real calm dog and just as good at retrieving as he is hunting but he is kept kennelled. Have you not considered a lab mate there are a lot of smaller sleeker looking labs about nowadays they will do everything your asking, admittedly maybe not hunt as well as a spaniel but they tend to be easier around the house.

 

atb Dave

[ftm 3,357]

all the cockers ie seen are like springers --but on speed or some other drug I owned a little cocker bitch and she was a lot harder to slow down than the springers I currently work . I would seriously try a nice tidy lab mate

Edited April 4, 2014 by ftm

[whitefeet4190 1,725]

Springer x lab

[adbirdy 14]

Another vote for a cocker, got two and would get another tomorrow if I had the room!

 

maybe think about a keeper bred dog as they are perhaps a bit calmer and easier to train, rather than an out and out trialling dog and these can be very hot to handle

[the monkey 338]

Personally I would go for a lab if it will be in the house,I have had cockers in the house before .....never again

[mushroom 12,878]

Get yourself a Staffy

[irishnut 297]

Springer or cocker are the only true gundogs. The rest are nnot the complete package for rough shooting.

[mushroom 12,878]

Springer or cocker are the only true gundogs. The rest are nnot the complete package for rough shooting.

Beg to differ and so do several kennels that were beaten by a Staffy :laugh:

[RubyTex 1,957]

I'm not sure 100% but what about a Lab?

 

I'm thinking of the exercise more than anything, my two Springers will work all day then still want to go out when we get home!

 

Same goes for the beach, we walk and walk and walk, run, swim, play....and i'm the only one who's knackered

[Lab 10,979]

 

 

Springer or cocker are the only true gundogs. The rest are nnot the complete package for rough shooting.

Beg to differ and so do several kennels that were beaten by a Staffy :laugh:

You still pretending that throwing a dummy 20 yards and picking it up is 'gundog work'.....lol