Advice on Dog Breed

G. M. Zimmermann

unread,

Nov 3, 2003, 12:13:56 PM11/3/03

to

I would like to get a hunting dog in the next few years but at this point,
I'm totally undecided on what breed or breeds would be best.
I'm looking for a dog to be both a hunter and a house pet.
I enjoy lots of different types of hunting: Pheasants, rabbits, waterfowl,
deer, dove, and occasionally grouse, bear and turkey. I would like a dog that
I can bring along for as many different types of hunting as I can. ( I don't
want to give up pheasant hunting for duck hunting, etc.)
I live in Pennsylvania so hunting conditions can range from 90 deg. and
humid in early dove/goose season to well below zero in late duck season and
second rabbit season.
A few of the breeds I am cosidering are Labrador Ret., Springer Spaniel,
Brittny, and Weimaraner (sp?).
I'm really not sold on pointing breeds though. I've hunted over
brittny's, a german shorthair, and an english setter. And they all were good
dogs and good hunters, but without exception, birds that run instead of hold
for the point give them trouble, especially pheasants which have a nasty habit
of running out of the fields and into the woods.
Thanks for any advice.

-Zimmy

Chris Barnes

unread,

Nov 3, 2003, 12:36:05 PM11/3/03

to

G. M. Zimmermann <duckhun...@aol.comnospam> wrote:
> A few of the breeds I am cosidering are Labrador Ret., Springer
> Spaniel, Brittny, and Weimaraner (sp?).

Given your weather ranges, and the fact that it seems you might like a
flushing dog, I would suggest a Lab. *Definitely* get one from field
lines (not show lines).

--

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Chris Barnes AOL IM: CNBarnes
ch...@txbarnes.com Yahoo IM: chrisnbarnes

jmccall000

unread,

Nov 6, 2003, 1:28:33 PM11/6/03

to

i had beagle crossed with a springer got the best all around hunter i ever
seen and she was the house pet to sadly missed by her family my sons and
myself hunted with her every season .ohioand pa jr

Scott French

unread,

Nov 10, 2003, 1:12:19 PM11/10/03

to

Labrador Retriever. Find a breeder with a good reputation. Don't buy from a
pet shop, puppy mill or backyard breeder.

Ask the breeder about hip and eye certifications from the parents.

Scott

"G. M. Zimmermann" <duckhun...@aol.comnospam> wrote in message
news:20031102061857...@mb-m25.aol.com...

Hunters Edge

unread,

Nov 12, 2003, 3:08:05 PM11/12/03

to

Get a GSP from a reputable breeder with proof of there dogs performance and
put the time of training needed for the dog to handle the birds properly.

Sid

----- Original Message -----
From: "G. M. Zimmermann" <duckhun...@aol.comnospam>
Newsgroups: rec.hunting.dogs
Sent: Monday, November 03, 2003 12:13 PM
Subject: Advice on Dog Breed

MikeG

unread,

Nov 14, 2003, 2:12:36 PM11/14/03

to

If you have room, look into a field trial bred Brittany.
GREAT! bird dogs.

"G. M. Zimmermann" <duckhun...@aol.comnospam> wrote in message
news:20031102061857...@mb-m25.aol.com...

Doug Steinbach

unread,

Nov 17, 2003, 3:03:27 PM11/17/03

to

A FlatCoated Retriever would fit this bill. I have used mine for
everything accept Turkey and Doves (don't have those in my area.) I use mine
to track big game all the time. I am also an avid grouse and duck hunter,
and love the versatility of this breed.

Doug

Solitude Kennels Reg'd
Flat-Coated Retrievers
http://www.geocities.com/flatcoatsca

Kirk

unread,

Jul 14, 2007, 2:29:35 PM7/14/07

to

Take the time to read about the English springer spaniel, I think it is
just the dog for you. Gun dog magazine called it the best breed for
hunting pheasant, and mine, a three year old male loves to hunt almost
anything. Also these dogs love the water.

Chris Barnes

unread,

Jul 19, 2007, 10:36:29 AM7/19/07

to

Kirk wrote:
> G. M. Zimmermann wrote:
>> I enjoy lots of different types of hunting: Pheasants, rabbits, waterfowl,
>> deer, dove, and occasionally grouse, bear and turkey. I would like a dog that
>> I can bring along for as many different types of hunting as I can. ( I don't
>> want to give up pheasant hunting for duck hunting, etc.)
>> I live in Pennsylvania so hunting conditions can range from 90 deg. and
>> humid in early dove/goose season to well below zero in late duck season and
>> second rabbit season.
>> A few of the breeds I am cosidering are Labrador Ret., Springer Spaniel,
>> Brittny, and Weimaraner (sp?).
>

> Take the time to read about the English springer spaniel, I think it is
> just the dog for you. Gun dog magazine called it the best breed for
> hunting pheasant, and mine, a three year old male loves to hunt almost
> anything. Also these dogs love the water.

If upland birds were his game of choice, then I would agree with you.
But springers don't hold up well at all to cold water (duck and goose)
hunting.

Given the wide variety of game he intends to hunt, and the weather
conditions he will be facing, I believe a Lab is *by far* the best
choice for him. G.M. - note that you will definitely want to find a Lab
out of proven hunting stock (meaning: look for a litter where the
parents are both TITLED; an objective valuation of their abilities and
not just the 'word of the breeder').

--

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Chris Barnes AOL IM: CNBarnes
ch...@txbarnes.com Yahoo IM: chrisnbarnes

"Usenet really is all about standing around and hitting the ground
with clubs, on a spot where many years earlier a dead horse lay."