Gun Dog Advice Help

[terrierman 1 0]

Hi what's the best gun dogs you own/owned

I'm been out shooting with spaniels enjoyed it I would like a pointer my self for shooting and working to flush stuff out for my bird of prey ect

What would you recommend best dog would be

[peterbirdman1 206]

The dog that suits the man and the land he intends to hunt

[Mochastorm 68]

A spaniel is meant to work just in front of you, the reason being that a bird flushes within 25 yard range of a shotgun. A pointer works at far greater distance. I've never owned a pointer but have seen good ones work with hawks. I've also seen some terrible ones in a beat line, running round going whistle deaf. If a spaniel gets awkward or goes off whistle at 20 yards you can get out and correct it. A pointer running round 150 yards away on a heather covered moor is a different prospect. You have a better chance of getting a good working spaniel, but if you really want a pointer shop around. Don't be fobbed off with anything other than proven 100% working stuff. Avoid anything that doesn't have both parents working, and I mean working, not just going out for the day and messing around like the dogs on the beat.

[terrierman 1 0]

A spaniel is meant to work just in front of you, the reason being that a bird flushes within 25 yard range of a shotgun. A pointer works at far greater distance. I've never owned a pointer but have seen good ones work with hawks. I've also seen some terrible ones in a beat line, running round going whistle deaf. If a spaniel gets awkward or goes off whistle at 20 yards you can get out and correct it. A pointer running round 150 yards away on a heather covered moor is a different prospect. You have a better chance of getting a good working spaniel, but if you really want a pointer shop around. Don't be fobbed off with anything other than proven 100% working stuff. Avoid anything that doesn't have both parents working, and I mean working, not just going out for the day and messing around like the dogs on the beat.

Hi mate thanks for that I'm looking a springer for next season I know few people who work them n few keepers so going see if they can recommend ad good breeder or someone who got a litter of working stuff think sprinter would suit all my ground

[ollieollie 766]

Training a spaniel is a whole different world to training a HPR, i have both. Spaniels are a good place to start when learning to train gundogs if you haven't before

[mark williams 7,552]

Yep - can be hard work for a novice the HPR.

I shoot air rifle a lot as well as shotgun. The air rifle and hide work really steadied my G.S.P up. He won`t budge an inch unless I tell him to and his retrieving to hand is second to none.

Best thing I learned is make it fun for you both and " bond".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good luck .

[Naustroms 92]

I would recommend any of the versatile dogs GWP, GSP, Musterlander, Spinone. Possibly even a nice hard hunting setter. The pointing breeds can be great as a falconer's team and taught to go in for the flush once you're in position.

[Mochastorm 68]

The ground

I would recommend any of the versatile dogs GWP, GSP, Musterlander, Spinone. Possibly even a nice hard hunting setter. The pointing breeds can be great as a falconer's team and taught to go in for the flush once you're in position.

In the US you have larger areas to hunt and I'm sure that the breeds you mention are available from working/hunting kennels. They are not however available in any significant numbers in the UK as working types. A spaniel is better suited to a UK style of walked up/rough shooting. Typically you will be gaining permission to shoot on farms or estates where most of your hunting will be along hedges, ditches and small areas of rough ground. There's no reason that if you have a spaniel that stops to the flush it can't be used as a hawking dog. The triallers will be finishing shortly for the season and lining their bitches through the spring and summer. Just keep an eye out for the relevant adverts. On a personal note springers are better than cockers.

[nastybilly 55]

a brittany spaniel, they will work close to you and stand on point

Edited February 23, 2017 by nastybilly

[Hunting Dogs Europe 16]

HWV possibly the best all rounder you could want, for walked up / rough shooting and a dream to train

[ALECTORIS 113]

Any pointer with a very steady trained point would suit you. Continental ones are more "calm" and easy to train but hey, you have the most specialized pointing dog breeds in Britain!

My opinion: consider the type of land you hunt on, check how much training hours you could spend on it, find nice working bloodlines and train, train, train and train. After that try and train a bit more!

Ive never had a bad dog, the issue has always been the training time spent.

Good luck on your search.

[david901 165]

a brittany spaniel, they will work close to you and stand on point

I have never seen a Brittany that worked that close.

Mine range out to 150 to 4 or 500 yards.

Some will range even wider ....Like into the next county...LOL

[ALECTORIS 113]

Speaking about brittanies...

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vk3WKiDMrPw

[nastybilly 55]

 

a brittany spaniel, they will work close to you and stand on point

I have never seen a Brittany that worked that close.

Mine range out to 150 to 4 or 500 yards.

Some will range even wider ....Like into the next county...LOL

 

maybe david yours aren't as well trained as they should be then, watch alectoris video and you'll see how they should behave if you put the time in ..that said you need to do that with most spaniels or like you say they'll end up in the next county

 

[Hunting Dogs Europe 16]

Hi

Planning a litter from my trial winning HWV bitch to establish my own line , thinking of using a french import dog owned and trained by Rory Major

Any other stud recommendations would be appreciated

Regards