Really lost on picking a breed, please help.

I think it is easier to hunt with a flushing dog. Pointing dogs are more fun in my opinion.

There are several good pointing breeds. But on you pointing dog list, Setter should be a the top :thumbsup:
 
Every dog is fun, its just taste. I use to have pointers, my taste tells me they are not for me, although I have thought a few times about one of Troy's setters. Just no room. Nimrod made some great points. Yes, know the difference. Springers have been 2 separate breeds for around a hundred years. Two distinctively separate breeds, yet all the while recognized by AKC as one, and genetically the same. If you want to hunt, do not get a show bred dog. And I agree with the statement about a clumber. I have shot over them and help a little training. If you are serious about hunting, they will not be a great choice. Very slow workers, I mean like slow motion slow. A simple 10 yard retrieve will drag out for an hr LOL. Cute, and good in the house, known as the gentleman's dog. Now if you were 80 and could not move much faster your self, they are the dog for you. Always happy to help someone find a dog. If you choose the ESS route I will certainly point you toward a nice breeding I know of. I won't have anything but know lots of nice parings, and some on the ground now as well.
 
And just one more thing...

given that the dog will be a family dog for 360 days a year and a hunter for 5 or 6 days, when you decide on a breed, go much further and spend a fair amount of time on the breeding of that dog.

I mean, not just the bloodlines, but the energy level of the adults and young adults. Some lines are just "hot" and are hard-chargers in virtually everything they do; others are equally healthy and well-bred, but live their lives at a more moderate cadence--making them more congenial members of a family.

The breeder will know what you are seeking. Take your time and talk to a lot of folks before you go looking at litters. Puppies mesmerize potential owners and suddenly you find you're holding a puppy which is trying to eat the pen with which you are writing the check, when you started out "just looking at the pups."

It's gonna be fun. :D
 
Even within a breed there are varieties, different breeders breed for different qualities. When you decide on a breed, view the breeders dogs before committing. my vote world be for a gwp or a springer. Both seem to have the "switch" they can turn off and on.
 
I went through the same process with my last dog. Momma wasn't thrilled with another hunting dog in the house. The activity level was just too high for her.
Size didn't matter to me much as I have a big house and lots of room. I have a couple of girls at home but wanted a pet that would hunt.

I settled on a Braque Francais. The story was they are good hunting dogs, not real big and when you bring them in the house they are calm. That's exactly what I got in a 50lb dog.

I work from home so my dog spends most of the day curled up next to my desk. He gets a good walk/run in the morning, chases a few squirrels when I take him out a few times a day. I couldn't be happier and my wife is cool with him. No destruction of furniture, rugs, clothes or anything else.

His one failing is he believes that any piece of furniture is for him but I think he's finally broken of that habit.

Not many breeders around. I got mine from a guy in Plankinton, SD Brad Boisen. http://braquefrancais.org/id3.html not sure if he's still doing it. I know there is a breeder in Grand Rapids who got a few dogs from Brad.
 
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I would throw other vote to the Springer. Could not be happier with mine. Hunted over a Golden a while back that was very impressive and got me thinking about maybe going that route. Then one of Ken's(FCSpringer) future breedings looked too good for me to pass up so I went that route.

Good luck with the search!
 
Crossing shot said:
Are you a good shot? A britt will give you straight away shots. A flusher will give you a wide variety of shots.
Click to expand...

Boy, that's a new one. Had Britts for 18 years and never knew that. Must not trained mine right. :)
 
Dakotazeb said:
Boy, that's a new one. Had Britts for 18 years and never knew that. Must not trained mine right. :)
Click to expand...

This, in a very good-natured intent, strikes me as Zeb not moving quickly enough to the right position for when the bird flushes and flies straight away from him.

We learn new stuff everydarnedday, eh?


:D:thumbsup::D
 
Which Dog?

I picked up a dog that's half Britt and half Springer. She points, but looks like a Springer. I like Springers and Britts so much that I couldn't decide, so I bought one of these to get the best of both. The birds still get up and go all different directions though, darn't, and I do my share of missin' no matter what caliber I shoot.
 
Last Fall was my first time hunting with a Brittany. We are working a narrow coulee toward a dirt road and end. Woody goes on point like a champ. I'm ready, getting closer. About 15 feet off a big bird explodes, even though I know there's a bird it still startles the heck out of me. The rooster goes up and right directly above me in to the wind and moving out.
I did make a great killing shot, probably the best of my season. :)
And quite memorable.

I've hunted with flushers for 50 years, Still will, depending on cover, terrain etc. My Britt will get the grasslands, my 4 year old Lab in Her prime will get the heavy stuff and mixed bag. (Mallards and Roosters)

Absolutely can't wait, having a flusher and a pointer. I do hard hunting, having two dogs is a must for me.
 
Zeb not moving fast enough

Judging from the picture of Zeb in the recliner down in Arizona, having a cold one with his dogs, it's hard to believe that anybody would think that he has lost a step. He looks lightening quick to me. That will be me in Florida next week. The wind here right now is blowing at about 40mph. My dog is not much of a hunter, so I'm gonna see how she does fishing down there on the gulf.
 
Hey! nice pics. Got more?

Niether My Britt nor my Lab will be shorted in hunting opportuntities, :)
 
Woody loves the water, does not miss a chance to take a swim.
This pic was taken on his first day of Sharptail/Hun hunting this past Sept.
He will for sure get some chances at waterfowl He will be 2 in late July so, Just a pup.
My waterfowl is all jump shooting, lots of heavy cattails.
 
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