Help on Hunting Dog..

Fish n Fowl · 11-04-2006, 08:08 PM

Well my dad and I have recently been looking for a new hunting dog. One of our friends had puppies six weeks ago and there is a good chance we will probably get one of those. As I am in college and can't look after a dog by myself, my dad and I are going to share the responsibility.. This meaning the dog stays at my parents house. If I was getting the dog by myself, there is a Black Lab male that I have picked out.. Problem is, my parents say they don't want a male dog.. My mom doesn't want to have to worry about it lifting its leg onto household items and my dad says the males are too hard to train. Also we have a 14 year old Yellow lab female who is not fixed and my dad doesn't think its a good idea to have a male around the house with her.

So here's my questions:
1)Do any of you male dog owners out there have a problem with it lifting its leg to household items?
2)With the proper training, males and females can both be trained to have very good manners. Am I right?
3)Will a 14 year old dog still be able to breed?

Hope someone can answer my questions..

Kyle

gottafish · 11-04-2006, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish n Fowl

.

So here's my questions:
1)Do any of you male dog owners out there have a problem with it lifting its leg to household items?
2)With the proper training, males and females can both be trained to have very good manners. Am I right?
3)Will a 14 year old dog still be able to breed?

Hope someone can answer my questions..

Kyle

Question 1) Not after you potty train them

Question 2) Yes, no question, males are just as easy to train. they do seam to get stuck in the teenage thing a bit longer.

Question 3) Not a vet but Id say if she still hits her cycle then yes she can, but it would probably kill her. ask the vet to check her out.

doryfish · 11-04-2006, 08:35 PM

My lab still marked after he was potty trained until I had him fixed. Now he is a perfect gentelmen.

jimh · 11-04-2006, 10:17 PM

I guess I don't understand. Your parents are going to take care of the dog in their house. It seems you are trying to manipulate them when you should be thanking them. Females hunt just fine.

1) Yes
2) Any dog can be trained. Generally speaking females have more desire to please. In addition, they tend to be softer temperments and smaller. The exact opposite of why you probably want a male.
3) It depends, but it wouldn't be healthy.

SlamminKokes · 11-04-2006, 10:23 PM

1. I own both a male and female. No problem with the male lifting his leg and marking if you get him fixed around 6 months of age. 2. My male was calmer than the female from day 1, but the male will never touch her hunting abilities. 3. Would kill the female at that age if she did get pregnant, not sure if she could though?

FishinTechnician · 11-05-2006, 06:41 AM

1) Started out with males, but after my first female, over 25 yrs ago, I never went back. Found females to be no less effective, usually more manageable because of their size and temperment and they eat less and are easier to clean up after.

2) Trained both (males for other owners) and believe that females are a little easier to train. They seem to bond quicker, are less stubborn and tend to stay focused on whatever it is you are doing with them at any given moment.

3) Out of the question. A fourteen year old dog is already living well beyond it's normal life expectancy and it could prove fatal to a female. I suppose anything is possible, but I for one would not want a pup from a dog that old. My vet in VA, who was also a prominent breeder and trainer, recommended no litters after eight years of age. Pup count is usually lower and it's tougher on the female. In my own experience I bred every other year and pup count went down one pup with each litter over the course of three litters.

Some additional advice for you is to be sure the breeding parents have certifications for eyes, hips and elbows, are registered, and are from working/hunting stock.

Capin' Dan · 11-05-2006, 12:08 PM

I personally prefer the males to hunt. Yes they are just as easy to train.
As far as marking goes you just never know but I will tell you girls have been know to mark too. Its a dominance thing and there are many alpha girls out there.

Breeding yep not likely though but nature is strange that way.

One thing about the females is I always say that hunting is the #4 thing on a male dogs mind #1 Sex, #2 Fighting, #3 marking and then finally hunting. Girls have a tendancy to just get down to it. So thre are many pros an dcons here. I'd get a live pigeon and let it decide which one goes home with you that day. Although that doesn't always work either.

Fish n Fowl · 11-05-2006, 04:26 PM

Thanks for all the info.. We went and picked it out today and ended up with a black male.. Dad and I both decided this was the best dog out of the litter and there was no choice about it.. Thanks again and i'll have pics of him up soon!!

Kyle

taggbro · 11-06-2006, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish n Fowl

So here's my questions:
1)Do any of you male dog owners out there have a problem with it lifting its leg to household items?
2)With the proper training, males and females can both be trained to have very good manners. Am I right?
3)Will a 14 year old dog still be able to breed?

1. Yes. Buy a female if that concerns you. Even fixing a dog may or may not cure this.

2. Yes, both males and females can be trained to do things equally.

3. I personally would not breed a female over 10 years old and as far as males go, it depends if they are in good enough shape or not to mount. If not, frozen or fresh semen is an option. My last fresh semen litter (which was a backup to a natural breeding) produced 10 pups.