good upland/ family dog

skeet · 10-13-2003, 02:56 PM

Im looking to get a family dog that would be good for upland bird hunting also. I would appreciate any suggestions of breed from you guys.

Chromaflage · 10-13-2003, 03:06 PM

One of the questions you must ask yourself - do you want a flusher or a pointer? IMHO pointers require a lot more training than flushers. Also, for a family dog, I don't thik you can beat labs. If you're willing to spend the $$ and time, a pointing lab might be the way to go. I hunt with several guys who have English Pointers - I'm more inclined to label them "hunting machines" rather than family dogs. There are other breeds too, but personally, I like my labs for both upland and waterfowl. They're also great pets.

There is a philosophy that a bird dog can't be a good pet and vise versa - I have seen that proven false many, many, many times.

For what it's worth.

ORS

[ 10-13-2003, 04:07 PM: Message edited by: OregonRedside ]

Firedog · 10-13-2003, 03:17 PM

I have a chocolate lab and she loves to upland hunt. Just have to train them to stay close. Also great pets, nothing more loyal than a lab :smile:

10-13-2003, 04:11 PM

Pointer; Britney
Flusher; Springer

swattinsalmon · 10-13-2003, 08:31 PM

I.ve had em all! Brittany, Golden Retriever, Short Hairs and labs. Some smell better than others while resting in front of the fireplace in the evenings. I'm on my third Lab (She's 14)and this will be her last season I'm certain. Female Labs seem to be more protective and yet more docile with kids and spouse. They work very well for upland as well as waterfowl. If you are going to get a young adult, just make sure you see the qualities thru a trainer, who can do some confirmations for you.

drhall99 · 10-13-2003, 09:48 PM

Skeet,

Check out Vizsla's. They aren't everyones favorite breed, but they definately fit your description.

JMO,
D.

MarlinMark · 10-13-2003, 09:55 PM

I have a pointing lab. He's great. A little "on the go" but a VERY friendly dog. PM me if you want details. Or I can post more later.

Mark

10-13-2003, 10:02 PM

There might be an IFISHER that has a Vizsla he needs to part with. She's a sweety and I don't know if he will let her go.

periwinkle · 10-13-2003, 10:40 PM

German Wirehaired Pointer
Skeets, I have had 3 Labs, Beagle, 2 Airdales, and 1 1/2 G Shepard 1/2 Lab... My GWP is more devoted, attached, bonded to me than any of the others ever were... She might be the 'exception' but I really love this dog.. I'm older (70) and kids are gone but my wife tutors elementary kids and they just love this dog and she reciprocates.
She sleeps in the house on a chair, greets everybody, even tho w/ a beard she looks mean.. Even the UPS driver likes her.. Not only will she point upland birds she is a very good retriever. Okay .. only downside ..she hates cats and would kill any she could get ahold of (fenced in) it's in the breed.. My son also has a GWP,, has most of same qualities my dog does....
male and has killed several cats (in ND & Minn.)
There are good breeders in Portland, (a Vet) and Bend..... My dog isn't a good watch dog, but my sons is.. I think getting a dog from a reputable breeder who stresses temperament in any breed is a must.... My dog, Emma) is 7, I'll get another in a couple of years (if I'm still around) :grin:

Hoosier Daddy · 10-14-2003, 06:05 AM

If you can handle the hair a golden works pretty well. Just make sure they have some hunting background. Mine did fine when I still hunted him and you absolutely cannot get a better family dog.

Mojo · 10-14-2003, 07:22 AM

English Springer. Just make sure the parents aren't too wired. I got a pup this summer, and she's a genius (really). Her parents are pretty laid back dogs, and that's important to me, because I don't need a dog tearing up the house. Now I'll tell you straight up, my dog is 6 months old, and is currently destroying everything she can, but I have been assured by many "dog experts" that in her case it's just the puppy thing.

By-the-way the best dog I've ever hunted over was a springer (not mine). I hope Maggie will be half that good.

birdhunter · 10-14-2003, 07:38 AM

Goldens can make a great great hunting dog. We use them for upland and waterfowl. Very very versitile. Just make sure that they have a hunting background. Couldn't ask for a better family dog either.

If it's just upland and just hunting, then I'd have to go with a German shorthair though.

10-14-2003, 07:52 AM

birdhunter,
I love German Shorthairs but all of the ones I've ever been around were too high strung for housedogs. When we let my Brittany (long gone) into the house he would do circles for a few minutes then settle right down. Brittany Spaniels tend to work closer than shorthairs and mine was a great grouse hunter. Usualy took my yellow Lab with us when we were after phesants. They worked prety good as a team, unless there were any raccoons or skunks around. My Lab loved to kill them and I was sprayed many times.

[ 10-14-2003, 08:53 AM: Message edited by: Keta ]

Redbull · 10-14-2003, 08:01 AM

SOOOOO, I have a GSP and I love him. But I have to say I'm not sure he was the right choice. He is the sweetest dog I've owned but man do they have legs and lungs. The boy needs to roll - daily. I've met other GSPs the are much more low key than mine, but in general the breed is a bit more keyed-up.

If you really break it down, it's 99% family dog and 1% outdoor dog. If I had to do it over again, I would go out to Oregon School of the Blind and get one of their 'reassigned' dogs. They are trained for the house not the hunt, but I think you can train and watch natural instincts develop.

I'd go lab! Tough to beat.

[ 10-14-2003, 09:03 AM: Message edited by: Redbull ]

Salty Walty · 10-14-2003, 12:47 PM

I have had 3 labs and my kids are 4 & 6. They both get along great. My dogs do great on waterfowl and upland. If you do more upland than waterfowl and want a smaller breed a springer is hard to beat. Most of the pointers are high maintenance and not as child friendly (high strung). Find a good breeder, shop around and make sure you get one from hunting stock not just field trials and hunt tests. These are great and look good on the papers but actual hunting is not the same. Also inquire about past litters and any health problems i.e. tumors, cancer. Beware of friends of friends and 1 or 2 line adds in the paper. The initial price of the pup is just a drop in the bucket compared to the life of the dog. It is money well spent though and I don't regret spending 1 cent of it.

Good Luck!

id. painter · 10-14-2003, 01:15 PM

I on my 7th generation of Britt. spaniel.
Wonderful family pet ,,, fantastic hunters.
I do not recomend a Britt unless you are going to spend lots and lots of time with dog ,out doors. They are a high energy breed that will need lots of running or you will have a "nut dog" and wont want to hunt with it.
Ive seen people take a high quality dog and lock it in a dog run and expect to have a hunter when they come to get it. The dogs go nuts ,,one ate the corner of the peoples house off they had it put down cause it was crazy. Britts need lots of running... id. painter

'nut dog

Best Fishes · 10-14-2003, 11:51 PM

You may want to take a look at Nova Scotia Duck Tollering Retrievers. These dogs look like a Golden but only get to be 35 to 45 pounds. Our dog just turned one and we are just begining to get her hunting. Our kids love her to dath and she is very friendly.
Our dog's mother consistently gets her owner into 15 to 30 chuckers a day. These dogs will run all day and will fetch a ball until your arm falls off!

Best Fishes

SlamminKokes · 10-15-2003, 02:44 AM

Im going with the Brit also! An unbelievable hunter and the sweetest dog! As far as there is more training involved on a pointer than a flusher, i disagree! Its all in the genetics!! My brit was pointing on wings the day i picked her up on her 6 week bday. Her first season(2 years ago) she was 5 months and she tore up the chukars. Nobody could believe that she was just a pup! As far as how much training i did with her? She trained me! :smile: Always trust a good bird dog!!!!

King Fisher · 10-15-2003, 10:04 AM

We have a springer, He is a great family dog. However, we didn't check out his parents well. He is a bit wild, he'll take off on you once in a while. He does need more training, and is calming down after a couple years, and has a great nose. We are going to try for a gsh or choc lab next time.

Bait Bucket · 10-15-2003, 10:24 AM

This is the best house dog I've ever owned. He ain't bad on upland game either.

periwinkle · 10-15-2003, 10:02 PM

Bait Bucket,,,,,,,your by-line is so accurate,,,,,I forgot to mention in my post how intelligent the GWP breed is.. Mine is so smart I have told my wife (a tutor) that she could teach her to read if she wanted to.....her understanding of English words constantly astounds me.....
My sons GWP was a natural pointer ... first time I put him on a bird (pigeon) he froze on point at about 30' .... I had to teach him 'allright' which was a release to go flush.....

:grin:

deschutes2 · 10-16-2003, 09:24 AM

Get a Lab!...

periwinkle · 10-16-2003, 05:41 PM

House Dog -- Lab, ummmmm
Get a big vacuun cleaner and a wife who enjoys pushing it...daily!!! :grin:
OR one of those robots that you control from your couch.

Been there, done that.. except my wife hated vacuuming. They are nice dogs, eat lots... But!
Let us know what you decide on, you have been given lots of choices. :grin: