Wanted: started dog

M

mike m

New member
I have multiple sclerosis and am an avid pheasant and quail hunter. I have been unable to walk through the weeds for several years and have to hunt behind my bird dogs off an ATV.
For the same reason with difficulty training with my limited mobility, I don’t think I can properly train a puppy but I can give plenty of exposure and bird training to a started dog.
I currently have an 11-year-old French spaniel, which has been a wonderful Hunter and family dog. I’m looking for a pointing breed that not only hunts but will be calm and lovable around the house.
If anyone has any available or any suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated
 
My hat's off to you Mike. That French spaniel is not a bad choice. Brits, Griffs, Vizla's come to mind. Check out Gundog central.
 
Mike - commend you for getting creative and still getting out to hunt. Lots of options out there for started dogs that would fit the bill nicely. Good luck and keep us posted.
 
Having friends who purchased started dogs , as I have the experience has been EXPENSIVE…. Make a through list if you can’t see the dog due to distance, of open ended questions. Not does your dog retrieve? Share with me how well your dog that’s for sale will retrieve. To hand? Chewed? Water tested? Need correction?
Videos are helpful too. After the seller has answered your questions if you still are interested, consider asking for a trial period for a full refund. The started dog I purchased I had video of her pointing, and he told me she had hunted a fair bit!!! I didn’t ask all the right questions, like is she gun shy? He might have not told me the truth, that she ran back to the truck on report, but at least we could have had an argument! She took two summers of intense trainer work to fix her! Lesson learned!
 
When someone says "started dog" there can beg a big range of that means. It could be a 6-12 month old dog or a 2-3 year old dog.

Do you have a preference on male or female?

What are you looking to spend?

If you are used to a French Spaniel I would think maybe an Emglish Setter or an American Brittany would be a couple of good options.
 
Dakotazeb said:
When someone says "started dog" there can beg a big range of that means. It could be a 6-12 month old dog or a 2-3 year old dog.

Do you have a preference on male or female?

What are you looking to spend?

If you are used to a French Spaniel I would think maybe an Emglish Setter or an American Brittany would be a couple of good options.
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I would spend $3000 or under. I have no preference, male or female. I was also thinking English setter and Brittany I prefer a French spaniel again, but realize they’re pretty rare and the breeder currently doesn’t have any started dogs.
 
mike m said:
I would spend $3000 or under. I have no preference, male or female. I was also thinking English setter and Brittany I prefer a French spaniel again, but realize they’re pretty rare and the breeder currently doesn’t have any started dogs.
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Also, I’m thinking more along the lines of 2 to 3 years old
 
dustin mudd said:
Having friends who purchased started dogs , as I have the experience has been EXPENSIVE…. Make a through list if you can’t see the dog due to distance, of open ended questions. Not does your dog retrieve? Share with me how well your dog that’s for sale will retrieve. To hand? Chewed? Water tested? Need correction?
Videos are helpful too. After the seller has answered your questions if you still are interested, consider asking for a trial period for a full refund. The started dog I purchased I had video of her pointing, and he told me she had hunted a fair bit!!! I didn’t ask all the right questions, like is she gun shy? He might have not told me the truth, that she ran back to the truck on report, but at least we could have had an argument! She took two summers of intense trainer work to fix her! Lesson learned!
Click to expand...
Yes you are correct. I bought an 18 month old black Lab from a guy in South Dakota that turned into a pretty decent dog. He wasn’t gun shy, but he neglected to tell me he was a bit neurotic and had severe separation anxiety issues not to mention had never been indoors. He also needed a lot of work to become acclimated to me. I would have a lot more questions if I went that route again
 
There’s a guy here in west Michigan that runs second chance bird dogs. He is non profit. He takes in dogs from people that get a bird dog because they think they are cute or something. Soon they realize it’s more than they bargain for. Mike takes them in and trains them up and offers them to real hunters that will take them hunting. He is also a guide at the hunt club I belong to. He has had dogs people paid thousands for. They are often a few years old. You need to be qualified to get on his list and he can fix you up with a dog that should work out for you. He has a web site and facebook page if you’re interested. I think the local tv show Michigan out of doors did a feature on him as well. That should be on utube.
 
I would not concern myself with age on a started dog. With 3-4 months of training a dog can learn basic commands. Now using those commands and learning to hunt. I was given a free trained dog this fall. He was flawless in his pointing and retrieving in this guys backyard. Breeder told me that the dog looks amazing but is messed up. I would have never believed him. Took him home and quickly learned he was definitely messed up. I kinda knew what I was getting into but my caution to you is he was a totally different dog away from the kennel. I think $3-4k is a fair price for a dog with all its shots and basic training. The magical question will be what someone’s definition of started means and more money doesn’t always mean better product. Don’t over pay
 
My best hunting friend has a started English setter coming home today, 20 months old.. I’ll give you an update as he develops. Comes from a proven, well known kennel after lots of correspondence and videos showing where he stands.
 
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