How to decide on a breed

birddog456 said:
Nice looking dog, sorry for your loss. Never easy dealing with the loss of a loved one. Doesn't matter what breed you pick, you will find your self comparing it to Tavy at times, especially if she was your first. I don't think there is anything wrong with that. Her memory will always live within you, and that is human nature to cherish what we love. Just have to appreciate all the good qualities of your new companion.
By the way, noticed the English stock on your gun. Have Browning Citori 20 ga with same.
All the best.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the kind words Birddog. The wifey and I don't have kids, so they are kinda like our kids. I did some research on Tavy today, and got ahold of her breeder and he has 2 - 16 w.o. Pups that I'm heading to Indiana in a few weeks to see. Who knows... Also gonna take a good look at the Britts. Just honestly never thought about them.

Yep, love my little english stocked 28 gauge. Had an older Red Label 28 that got stolen shortly after they quit making them so I found this F.A.I.R. Shoots like a dream and weighs less than 6 lbs.
 
Last edited:
Very sorry for your loss, she look like she wa a great dog. There are a lot of great started dogs out there to choose from. You should have no problem finding a started pointer, if thats your preference, for barely more than you can buy puppies for. The biggest advantage I find with buying started dogs is I can see them work and know what they will look like as they are already grown up. Just my opinion.
 
oldandnew said:
My point exactly. If you have what you want.... why change? If there are specfic performance items you want more of, better retreive, closer contact, better couch dog, make a different selection. I was just teasing a little bit, with some truth, we have questions for advice all the time, in the forums, but after 5-6 people tell them from experience to try another track, then they truimphantly post that they did what precisely what everybody advised not too! Who knows it might work out differently, farmers who tile and drain, might save the world too!
Click to expand...
.xactly how this forum is suppose to work!
That may solve world hunger...at the expense of vanishing wetlands:(:(:( Have no idea of world populations, and the amount of acreage it takes per person to feed. As selfish as I see it, our nation shouldn't have to worry about that. Lets take care of our own people, our own problems, and deal with our own issues. I believe our native Americans had all the right values and treated land, wildlife, and the environment with respect. Then along comes the white man who "couldn't see past his billfold, wanted all the buffalo dead." (Theodore Nugent)
Oops, sorry for the hijack
 
Last edited:
A good "started " dog can/will be a bit pricey; you didn't mention your budget.

You could research, online, various breeds and get a general idea about price points. Started dog may depend on how long the breeder has worked with the dog and the breeders reputation.

Regarding dog hair: I have two Golden's in the house most of the winter and to and fro to a pen, during the summer. Winter month's - little to no hair. They need a good brushing in the spring, but shed little after June 1.

How about a "Pudlepointer?"
 
there's different strains in side the breeds as well
some families inside the breeds have been bred for different traits.
ilike the idea that the some of the more exotic breeds have been controlled more tightly for a specific purpose,ie versatile hunting
i often see folks asking for advice ,and there may be some objections by others

maybe there oughta be a "sticky" so that the group understands what direction we're supposed to be heading

example:pointing breeds adhere to this protocol and etiquette
flushers adhere to there formal ,trained behavior, as per the last 200 yrs,
upland hunting labs do this etc. i know there are some semi pro breeders and handlers on these pages and maybe they would pass along an s.o.p (standard operating procedure)

not criticizing but there are dozens of books and articles written as to how the variuos breed should behave in the field
maybe its me ,but i think all bird dog owners should aspire to have the best trained dog they can have,in other words ,the assumed goal is we hope to have our dog particpate and do well in the various hunt tests,whether one chooses to do it or not
 
JohnnyB you are right started dogs may be a bit pricey up front, but from my standpoint you will come out ahead. If you factor in the price of the puppy and all the vet care, shots, and training you put into a puppy by the time it's 2 years old you will have way more into a young dog than you can buy a started dog for (from my experience). If you can find a 2 year old dog for 2000 thats started, and I know you can, that breaks down to that dog costing $2.73 a day. you haven't factored in the cost of birds for training or the countless hours you spend trining or the gas you spend training in different locals. I know that we all love our dogs and I'm not trying to throw stones at anyone, all I'm saying is if you look at the cost over a 2 year period you are "financially" ahead to buy a started dog. That being said puppies are very cute. Keep in mind this is just from my past experience when you add up numbers it get's scary. Sorry for getting on my soapbox, wasn't trying to hijack your thread fishinbrad, I'm sure you will find the right dog for you and your wife. :)
 
Sorry

Geez, I couldn't imaging losing my dog, especially at that age. Was that a condition that was diagnosed earlier and ran it's course, or did it come at a complete surprise? When you hunt behind them they seem like such machines; invincible, professional athletes, just a pleasure to behold. Then something like what happened to your dog, happens. You lose a family member and you really never get over it.

I don't know how old you are, or what kind of physical or mental shape you're in, but in my simple dog world I picked a dog breed that I could simply keep up with in the field, both physically and mentally. I'm 56, slowing down, and have watched a few guys really have to work, yell, and stress to keep control. I can't run at all, and certainly not while toting a shotgun. I taught high school for 32 years, so I'm all yelled out. I want to experience the field in silence, and enjoy the absolute beauty of dog and nature. I found a methodical, close hunting pointer that is constantly checking where I'm at and if I'm alive. She also has made up for some just plain mediocre shooting with close encounters, and is a great companion in the house, with the grandkids, and in non-hunting situations. Her skills were clearly innate. I couldn't have trained a hunting dog because I really don't know anything about dogs. She had more to do with training me how to hunt, then I had to do with training her. Your situation could be the complete opposite.

I let my age, personality, shooting skills, level of physical fitness, family situation, and lack of experience with hunting and dogs help me choose my breed. It worked out pretty well. Take a good look at yourself in the mirror, and the breed will come to you. Let us know. We're interested.
 
if we told the truth about it ,its how the dog looks in the field ,pictures,etc
another priority is hair.long or short
short catches fewer stickers,long is "better" for cold weather,the handler thinks at least,if we could ask the short hair dog he doesnt care!
if we mention brains, biddability ,10 guys would give 11 drop dead opinions
you'll notice when you decide on what you want and start to buy,the more professional breeders usually have a waiting list
youll see the females go faster than the males(placement)this is because many believe the girls are easier to train than boys.
the boys have bigger motors when you get 'em trained however
 
Mgorv: she had a heart condition that we were well aware of. Was told about a "slight murmer" when we got her. She was a "rescue of sorts", and we were not 100% sure of her age and condition... Anyhow, we kept watch of the murmer, which got progressively worse over the course of a few years, and led to a diagnosis in July 2012 of a "severely enlarged heart", after having some severe coughing attacks. These were attributed to fluid build up and the vet warned us that she wasn't going to live a normal length life, and prescribed meds. We decided to treat her with meds and let her live a bird dogs life, and take her out for short hunts only. She hunted 3 times this year and did well. The morning she died, I let her out of her kennel, and took her outside to potty. Went back out to get her 5 minutes later or so, and there she laid - middle of the yard curled up like she was asleep...

As an update to all, I have been out and hunted a few times with three guides and their dogs (GSP,EP, and a Brittany), and ended up realizing that I really just like the EP breed and the way they hunt. His dogs hunted just as mine did! The guide I hunted with had a 5 month old white and liver Elhew female that he planned to keep, but he had some health issues and decided to sell her. One meeting, and I am no longer dogless! Not really what I would call "started" dog, but a very fast learner so far. Hope I made the right decision, but only time will tell...

picture.php
 
Congrats

Sounds like Tavy had a good life and left quickly. Never easy though. Cool looking new dog. I always liked the liver and white combination for some reason.
Same exact colors as my dog. Sounds like you feel really good about your choice and things worked out well. Good for you. After I bought my pointer pup I found out from the breeder that he was selling his older fully trained females and I really wanted a second older dog to pair up with my pup. The wife said if I got the second female she would be moving on, so I mulled it over for a few days and just ended up with the one pup. I'm happy though, and spent almost a full month with her in SD last year. This year it will be longer, I hope. Good luck with the new hunting partner.
 
fishinbrad said:
Mgorv: she had a heart condition that we were well aware of. Was told about a "slight murmer" when we got her. She was a "rescue of sorts", and we were not 100% sure of her age and condition... Anyhow, we kept watch of the murmer, which got progressively worse over the course of a few years, and led to a diagnosis in July 2012 of a "severely enlarged heart", after having some severe coughing attacks. These were attributed to fluid build up and the vet warned us that she wasn't going to live a normal length life, and prescribed meds. We decided to treat her with meds and let her live a bird dogs life, and take her out for short hunts only. She hunted 3 times this year and did well. The morning she died, I let her out of her kennel, and took her outside to potty. Went back out to get her 5 minutes later or so, and there she laid - middle of the yard curled up like she was asleep...

As an update to all, I have been out and hunted a few times with three guides and their dogs (GSP,EP, and a Brittany), and ended up realizing that I really just like the EP breed and the way they hunt. His dogs hunted just as mine did! The guide I hunted with had a 5 month old white and liver Elhew female that he planned to keep, but he had some health issues and decided to sell her. One meeting, and I am no longer dogless! Not really what I would call "started" dog, but a very fast learner so far. Hope I made the right decision, but only time will tell...

picture.php
Click to expand...

She is a beauty, I'll bet she will have you trained in no time!!!

As you have probably picked up on from my previous post, I am "fond" of English Setters, I currently have 4 female Setters but my little Pointer, Bonnie, was a crackerjack dog. Good range, great nose, super retriever and a great fishing buddy.

All the best to you and your new dog.
 
fishinbrad said:
I lost my 5 year old English Pointer named Tavy over the weekend to an enlarged heart that ultimately led to a heart attack. Fortunately, she went quickly, and didnt suffer a long drawn out ordeal. Her last hunt was Feb. 1, and she did an awesome job! Her picture is below.

attachment.php


I'm deadset on getting another bird dog, so I will be able to hunt (hopefully) this fall. Not 100% sure on the breed though. My delima is this: I did not have to train this girl, as she was a year and a half old rescue when i got her and was already very well trained. Question is, which of the following breeds are "easiest" to train? Not loking for a show dog, nor a field trial dog, i just want a hunting buddy for quail, pheasants, and possibly to retrieve doves.

The breeds I am considering are as follows:
  • another EP (but I'm afraid I will not be happy with it and compare it to my girl Tavy),
  • GSP
  • Weimaraner (if i can find a good hunting dog breeder)
  • Visla
  • Pointing Lab (Hunted behind one a few years ago and was AMAZED!)

Help me out and give me some pros and cons behind each. Please lets stick to the ones on the list though... Thanks!
Click to expand...

Brad, I'm a little late to the conversation and haven't read every post, so forgive me if this has already been mentioned.

Here is what I would do if I was unsure of what breed to get next. First determine whether pointer or flusher. Next, if at all possible I would try and find some NAVHDA events to visit. You could also look up some AKC Hunt tests or walking field trials in your area. At each one of these venues you will be able to see a variety of breeds working in the field and have the ability to talk to the handlers/owners about the breed their working. There can be vast differences even within each breed depending on the line. So once you've decided on a breed then research the lines and the breeders.

I will say that some of the more popular breeds will be a bit more established as far as the number of quality breeders. I would certainly put the GSP, Brittany and Pointer at or near the top as far as that goes. Just the same, there are still plenty of good choices with others. You may even want to consider a Wirehair as well. Where, how and what you hunt should also be considered.

Just as important is to pick one that is appealing to you. If your not crazy about the looks and mannerisms of a breed then choose another.

Good luck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top