In the market foe a new pup need opions
- Thread starter SALLYSUE
- Start date
Bob M
New member
I went through the quest for a new dog this year and wound up with a Springer.
I mostly duck hunt with a trip or two to Kansas for phez thrown in. My go to dog for some time has been a Chessie and she is getting a little old. After much research, calls, and reading I chose a pup from Blue River Kennels of Minnesota. The owner, Ken Hanson is a moderator here. I have not been dissapointed in my pup Gus.
He has been very trainable, has superior intelligence, drive, nose, everything!
If you think of a Springer think of Blue River: Ken is very helpful.
As to DDs and Small Mooneys I have no experience.
My 2cents
BobM
I mostly duck hunt with a trip or two to Kansas for phez thrown in. My go to dog for some time has been a Chessie and she is getting a little old. After much research, calls, and reading I chose a pup from Blue River Kennels of Minnesota. The owner, Ken Hanson is a moderator here. I have not been dissapointed in my pup Gus.
He has been very trainable, has superior intelligence, drive, nose, everything!
If you think of a Springer think of Blue River: Ken is very helpful.
As to DDs and Small Mooneys I have no experience.
My 2cents
BobM
Downtown Bang!
Member
How about a Boykin? They are basically the lab of the spaniel breeds and originated in the south. As I understand it they are much more heat tolerant than your average lab.
Looked at Boykins as my next dog but settled on an FBECS because I hunt upland 99% of the time. The only thing I saw with Boykins that gave me some pause was a potential for orthopedic issues. Since there are not that many Boykins out there a guy would have to look hard at the parents.
Looked at Boykins as my next dog but settled on an FBECS because I hunt upland 99% of the time. The only thing I saw with Boykins that gave me some pause was a potential for orthopedic issues. Since there are not that many Boykins out there a guy would have to look hard at the parents.
goldeneye
New member
Gus.
BobM
Anyone that gets a MN dog and shoots a SxS can't be do bad:thumbsup:
bobeyerite
New member
When you have a Winner in a dog like Gus. I would think another of the same from the same breeder would be in order. Never push good success to the side. Take it and run.............Bob
quail hound
Moderator
Nice looking dog bob, I have to agree with you on the springers. Here is my dog on opening morning of dove season. He retrieved for 6 guns that morning (60 doves), all but about 5 birds, and we didn't lose one bird shot. If you can't tell it was warm that day, probably 85 by the time we were done, and as long as JP has some mud to wallow in and fresh water to drink he is good to go.
Dakotazeb
Well-known member
The two breeds you mentioned are both pointing breeds. You really have no need for a pointer so I would stick with a retrieving/flusher breed. You haven't given us any indication if the size of the dog is of importance. Perhaps you could provide us with some additional feature, traits, etc. that you would like to see in a dog and we could help better. Will this dog be an inside or an outside dog?
Here are a few breeds I can think of you might consider.
Golden Retriever
Springer Spaniel
Boykin spaniel
American Water Spaniel
There are certainly more breeds out there but the above would be at the top of my list and of those the Springer and Boykin would be the tops choices.
Good luck and if I can be of any further assistance shoot me a PM.
FCSpringer
Moderator
I would not rule out a Field Cocker either. I gotta come duck hunting some year Bob. It would be nice to get the hell out of MN about now. Gus is growing up, going to be a good sized boy. He's what 8 months in his duck pic?? Can't wait to see what he looks like at 2yrs.
If you want the pointer Salleysue I would put the DD up there at the top of those two. Good luck
If you want the pointer Salleysue I would put the DD up there at the top of those two. Good luck
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Gatzby
Well-known member
I am a lab guy but a ESS would probably be the best dog for me if not for the ear issues. Get an ESS they are impressive field dogs. I just put money down on another BLM but I thought long and hard about an ESS. I have very little experiance with Musters but the 2 we have had in class were sweathearts but not really driven as far as retreiving.
tmrichardson
Banned
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FCSpringer
Moderator
There is no ear issue with an ESS if you clean the ear with foaming cleaner every 2-3 weeks or so, pretty easy. And even if not I have 5 and have not had any issue but with 1 dog, and that was food related. After switching diet it is non existant. Any dog will have ear issues if you don't take care of your dog. I would not worry about the DD thing attacking every animal on the planet either. A pup is a pup and what the pup grows up with will be there friend, other dogs , cats etc. If you want a pointer, both would be good choices.
Dakotazeb
Well-known member
I have a friend that has a Small Munsterlander female. She is a real sweetheart and probably goes about 48 lbs. Very good hunter for as little hunting as he's able to do. If I would have had her out here in SD to hunt a lot she would be super. I also know a SMP breeder here in SD and have hunted with his dogs. They do a very good job. As far as coats on the SMP's from what I've seen they vary greatly. Some have nice shorter coats and others were really bushy. In my opinion the SMP would make a much better pet than the DD.
I also have a springer that I think's a great dog/companion/hunter. If you are considering a springer and want to get a better idea if they're what you're looking for, there are a number of springer field trials coming up in late January and February in Texas that you could go watch. There are two the last weekend of January near Huntsville, which I don't think is too far from you.
-Matt
-Matt
Bob M
New member
Not to rob the thread but, Come on down next year Ken. If I can put a 10 year old on a bunch of gadwalls I can probably find one or two for a froze out Northerner!
Sorry you don't see Gus here....he is still working on steady, the grandson needs a little supervision, and Ol Bailey still wants her turn on occasion!
BobM
Sorry you don't see Gus here....he is still working on steady, the grandson needs a little supervision, and Ol Bailey still wants her turn on occasion!
BobM
beaglebob1
New member
Not to rob the thread but, Come on down next year Ken. If I can put a 10 year old on a bunch of gadwalls I can probably find one or two for a froze out Northerner!
Sorry you don't see Gus here....he is still working on steady, the grandson needs a little supervision, and Ol Bailey still wants her turn on occasion!
BobM
nice:10sign::thumbsup::cheers:
birdshooter
Well-known member
I agree that if not a lab then one of the spaniel breeds, may that be Springer, Boykin or American Water Spaniel. Excellent retrievers, good upland capabilities and smaller than a lab if size is an issue.
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