Your breed of dog and why

I have had mainly labs, but added a DK to the mix a few years ago. I think I'll always have one of each and may add a hairy dog to the mix someday. ( DD or Pudelpointer). I like any dog breed, mix, or mutt that finds birds or loves to hunt. Only con about a bird dog is if I didn't have one I wouldn't hunt.
 
Dakotazeb said:
Nothing compared to a Lab. I keep my Brittanys brushed with a Furminator brush and it's not too bad.
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A Furminator brush? I would like to buy one.
 
Dakotazeb- you are so right- very nice- very nice indeed

thanks for posting that pedigree- she'd be a real sweetheart- feel like I know what she's like
 
English Pointers and German Short Hairs..Best pointing dogs on the planet :D..
Cant run them out,easy training,super style,no burrs to pull out when finished hunting and dry fast when wet. :cool:
 
For me its always been setters. I have had Irish, Gordon, Red, and Llewellin.

Pro
Very good noses
Good stamina and range
Lots of natural point
As good with family and kids as you can have.
Best looking dogs on the planet.
Can take cold conditions better than most

Cons
Some don't have much natural retrieving instinct as some breeds
Do take some grooming
Heat tolerance can be a problem for some.
 
The two GWPs I had were the best dogs I've ever worked with, but I don't hunt with others very often. The female was the most congenial hunter, but the male had a prey drive that came out of a GODZILLA movie. :)

Mick, the new, used, dog is a ESS and is coming along for an older rescue dog. We'll see. A lot of the pressure is on me.

A lot of you folks work with many dogs, and see others in a wide variety of breeds. I'd consider your opinions much more well-informed.
 
RoosterTim-
moms brother really trained a female Golden Retriever- then presented her to dad- brother and I were 7 & 8 when we really got to see her do her thing- grouse and ducks and being the resort free ranging dog- she was known for putting on a show in the duck blind and pheasant hunting- darn fine grouse dog- but then again- dad said we made good grouse dogs

We had a freind in Wisconsin who was campaining two male Goldens in AKC-
we learned how to relate to mild mannered family Goldens who had all the hunt you could ask for- we raised a few from pups and had them right thru college- we just taught them to stay inside 30 yards and bring back anything we asked them to- or shot

First time I came to visit my brother-in-law in Overland Park I really understood what a fine pointing dog is all about- he had the female Britt and his buddies most always gave him a hard time- he'd just say to me- watch her- they don't get to shoot when she locks up

when college was over I came down- and stayed- hooked on pointing dogs with manners- the guys gave me a young suspect little female English pointer- said to have outstanding breeding to much to handle was the word- so I let her live inside with me (which was a big no no back then) and the next season with the guys- that little Pointer and Britt were a hard pair to beat- we hunted those two for a couple years till my brother-in-law moved

that little Britt was always in the back of my mind- the Britt's now days aren't quite like they were back then- many lines have been bread to compete with the best of them

there was a little firebreather of a Britt who entered a national AKC field trial all alone with 32 pointers- he took second- was said to have captured everyones hearts

If I lived in N Minn where I grew up I would have to say I'd want a Golden Retriever- one I could pick out of a litter- my brothers big male was taught to pull a dog sled with kids on it- you could just sit and wait- he'd bring the kids back when he got tired- fine dogs those Goldens

just not the right medicine for these uplands-

I think most have it right when they say- bond with the dog when it's real young- sets the stage for everything that comes after- most hard headed dog are made not born that way
 
Shadow said:
I think most have it right when they say- bond with the dog when it's real young- sets the stage for everything that comes after- most hard headed dog are made not born that way
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Amen to this. Both of my EP now are rescue dogs. Maggie was a field trial dog and it shows. Very independant and she hunts for herself. I've worked with her for 6-7 years now and I think the reason for it is that she never bonded with a master when she was a pup.
 
Lab for me
Pros....
Easy to train
Natural ability to retreive
Heavy cover does not bother them ( Cattails )
Cold is no big deal
Great family dog
Great nose


Cons
Not warm weather dogs
Shed a lot

I really think it all comes down to how you train your dog to hunt. All breeds are great to hunt behind if they are well trained. I have hunted with quite a few different breads and right know labs fit the state I hunt in and the way I hunt.
 
RoosterTim said:
This is the trick I used to slow my female down so I wouldn't have to chase her all day. I kept the log chain on her for a year of hunting and working. Now if she starts getting a little far out I have a couple of links I carry in my vest, rattle them together and she straightens right up. This is a great tip for anyone that has a dog that ranges far too much.
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quail hunting over thanksgiving in the 80's going 4 days I'd mentioned to my breeder I'd got a pup from that I was going to be taking pictures of my 2 Britt's and Setter and he suggested I take his field trial female along- she needed the work- was a bit worried as I'd been on horseback at a trial she ran- he pulled out two of those black rubber bungie/tie down things with hooks on one end- said they worked pretty good as they just dangled and were between her back legs- he also had 2 bells- said it sort of let her know she wasn't all about getting away- only thing he said was "bring her back" whew

she had wheels- caution was- always keep her in sight or be ready and willing to run where she headed- left my two nephews that detail-

she'd run big- she'd find more coveys than mine- she hold- she'd be backed- she would back- we never lost a hit bird- 4 days I got some really good
pictures

had a bunch of 11X14 enlargements- gave everyone some nice ones

oh- I did sleep with her for 2 nights before we went hunting- might have helped- then again looking back- I think she always knew we were not to far away

my pup after that I decided I wanted her to stay inside a 1/4 mile- hard thing but we worked it out- basically that's what I want- inside a 1/4- not a big deal in this open country to let them really roll- but I don't want them way out to long- sort of like ok to go out but remember where I am and check in- I've been known to just sit and wait a time or two- like to think they care to be arround but really like getting out to find- think it helps that I take mine just about everywhere I go

the nose and the run is what really gets me- but you have to let them have their head if you want results
 
I love this conversation. Its really fun to hear why guys love certain breeds. Some guys think EP's have the best noses, some guys think trial dogs are too high strung and only hunt for themselves.. And thats why I prefer Brits. :D Nolan's Last Bullet already proved that Brits have the best noses, and my field trail Brit is independent, but doesn't hunt for herself. Besides that, she knows the difference between someone hunting off foot, and hunting off horse! Ie.. The perfect dog! You guys who love other breeds really should just quit fighting in and jump on the brit bandwagon!;)

On a more serious note. The reason I love brits is because they make great family dogs (even though they can be a little wild without enough exercise) and they also make great hunting, and trial dogs. Its hard to argue with NLB's record in NSTRA, and Brits do just fine in AKC/AF trials as well. They just aren't built for a 3 hr trial like EP's. I love brits because of their size, which makes them great house dogs, and believe it or not, their coats. My dog gets shaved several times a year, and her coat gets to grow out in the winter (I still trim her feathers so the burs don't get her). IMO it makes her the perfect warm, and cold weather hunting dog (ES's are great for this as well). My pup is one of those "supposed" wild and high strung Field Trial dogs, just don't tell her that. She sleeps in bed with use when shes home, and I foot hunt the heck out of her. Break out a horse and a bracemate though, and its a totally different game. You can literally see the competitiveness come out in her. She doesn't pace herself like she does when we foot hunt, and she is balls to the walls for the next hour. She backs very well, but you can tell she hates it. Ive seen her dinking around in a trial and watched her bracemate lock up on a bird. The handler purposely handled her towards the standing dog to make her back. Its really funny what that does to her. Its kinda like it pisses her off, and its all business after that..

At one point I wanted a Vizsla. But after watching one or two run is some trials, Im happy I stayed with Brits. IMO they really are the best all around gun dog due to their size, speed, noses, natural retrieve (in many, but not all brits), and their desire to please. Makes them easy to train.
 
jetjockey said:
My pup is one of those "supposed" wild and high strung Field Trial dogs, just don't tell her that. She sleeps in bed with us when shes home, and I foot hunt the heck out of her. Break out a horse and a bracemate though, and its a totally different game. You can literally see the competitiveness come out in her. She doesn't pace herself like she does when we foot hunt, and she is balls to the walls for the next hour.
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Sounds an awful lot like my 2 1/2 year old female Brittany. I don't do horse trials but I do run her in NSTRA trials. She certainly knows when we are at a trial. When our brace is up and it's time to get in the blind she's ready to rock. She drives me nuts in the blind, can't settle down and is yipping and crying as she wants to go. When the judges say "Bring 'em out!" She damn near drags me to the starting gate and when we're told to "Let 'em go!" she's off like she's been shot out of a cannon. These dogs were bred for this and absolutely love it. Totaly different dog when we hit the hunting fields and in the house you'd never know she was around. What more could I ask for in a dog???
 
jetjockey- chuckling at your post- I happened to tape Buddy and Brave kick butt at a National- everyone was talking about Nolan getting his just- some were laughing- I have that tape and sent copies arround- Brave 1st Buddy 3rd

Nolans words- Buddy was a gift from God- just a perfectly well ballanced male Britt- who was there to be with Nolan- my opionion- most any well bred Britt is only there to be with an understanding person- and you are correct- some of these Britt's can put it to pointers

Had a fella who field trailed many of his 17 pointers make a statement-
"there wasn't a Britt in the country that could run with his pointers" when I said I was getting a field trial bred bred Britt pup"

so I stepped right up with- "you want to go on foot or horseback, we need a bit of time to get a Britt here and expect you'd like to wager $5,000.00- you want to see a good Britt right"

a breeder/trainer stopped in for a vistit a month later- it was all good- he did say he'd put his in a field with a good Britt and would enjoy the show-

I do say to a few who don't think GSP are up to it-
I went down to Texas with my Britt's, one guy had 2 GSP, the other guy had 4 GWP- we hunted 2 days on a 2,300 acrea private lease

it was pretty close between one Britt and one German Shorthair
they didn't think a Britt's pads would hold up- their opinion chaged

they acused my male Britt of stealing shot birds- what could I say- he thought what was shot at and came down he should go get
 
Dakotazeb- yep- know exactly what she's like- would sure enjoy being with you/her and one of mine in a nice big field- and I think you'd appreciate these mile by mile fields

mine are a bit wild when they first come in the house- settle down right nicely- but even in the off season they're watching me when I get up

open the door they have nothing in their heads but to blast out- and heck- they could all clear this yard fence- but never have-

you have to be really carefull of opening the gate- 3 Britt's drag race out and into the field- 240 so yards they swing arround-

100+ degrees for quite some time now- the 3 of them don't seem to understand- as they leave a dust trail out the gate-

could put up a picture if you'd like- I have a small stock tank inside the fenced in yard- they know it's there- they go for a run and swing back and jump in- hum- sometimes I feel they just want their picture taken- now mind you- I don't really let them out to run- but heck- when they are leaping 2 feet off the ground to get out and go- no reason not to let them out for a bit-
sometimes I wonder if mine know how to walk calmly-
 
Gotta stick with a well bred Springer. I have owned several Labs, Chessies, Short hairs, and an EP. I just love the total team player. It does not matter what I want to hunt from state to state I can do it. Even Geese with a nice male. I can water fowl hunt and grouse hunt the same day. Head to quail country the next. Hop on a plane and hunt willow ptarmigan the next. Wood cock if desired and so on.They will work hard for you all day. If in shape you will not last as long as them. They are great retrievers and not shy to any cover. The ability to find game with an unmatched nose is wonderful. They can trail out runners and crips like a hound. Rarely loose a downed bird ever. They cover the ground thorough, leaving no stone unturned. They rarely pass birds even behind other hunters and different dogs. They have a willingness to learn and please that is unmatched. They will literally go through barbed wire to get at a bird. creek bottoms, cattails, open prairie, woods it does not matter they will just do it. I have ran from Texas to Canada on several different birds and every cover there is with out skipping a beat. I like that. Then the ability to sleep at the end of the bed and let you know when a bump happens out side. I liked my other dogs as well, I just like these for me best. I convert people every year:D. I will be a Spaniel guy till I take a dirt Knapp.:thumbsup: I have nothing bad to say about a well trained Spaniel. Well they do whine when hungry or got to go P. Very much a people dog. But you better want to spend time with your dog if you want to own a Spaniel, because they will be there with you every second till they die.
 
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SW Kansas- can see Oklahoma-surprising there's any green- Britt's feel this is their play area
 
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