Need help choosing a dog breed

[jetjockey]

You can take the Brittany and GSP's off your list, if ducks are a priority.

Why do you say that?

[bobcat]

You can take the Brittany and GSP's off your list, if ducks are a priority.

Why do you say that?

They're not good in cold water. I've had both.

[jetjockey]

You can take the Brittany and GSP's off your list, if ducks are a priority.

Why do you say that?

They're not good in cold water. I've had both.

I think it depends on the dog, I've seen lots of Brits who loved cold water.   A lab or cheesy or any other dog with an under coat would be better in the cold, but I wouldn't underestimate a Brit, especially if you throw an Avery boat dog vest on them to keep them warm.  For west side sucks a Brit would be just fine.  There is a guy up on Whidbey who uses a Brit for a duck dog.  He says the dog has retrieved over 170 ducks in 3 seasons.  I know there are plenty of others who do the same.  Again, they won't compete with a lab, but they are great house dogs, under 50 lbs, and much better in the upland field, especially when it gets warm....   IMO the best three options would be a springer, Boykin, or Brit. 

[Atroxus]

Atroxus I would suggest the GWP. Of course I am partial to that breed as that is what I own (x2). We have had labs and a GSP also, but I like the GWP the best. There temperament, their will to please, their will drive to hunt (anything and bad for cats, raccoons, and such). They can do water, they dive in the deepest brush, and are an all around great dog. They do need to be run everyday, so make sure they get their exercise.

 If money is an issue then try the GWP rescue http://www.gwprescue.com/. Right now they have a couple of dogs and they put you through the ringer "somewhat" to make sure that the dog is going to a good home.

Run has me considering poodles now.

I checked out that rescue site and am thinking gwp may not work for me. The site said they are not good for people who are away from home long hours. Due to my commute I leave home at 5am for work and don't get back until 5:30-6.

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[akirkland]

I obviously have labs. Dallie is a smaller, 55 pound female. Drake is a larger male at 98 pounds. Vacuum 2 times a week and the shed hair is minimal. Keep them maintained and brushed, feed them good food, maybe some dish oil to help their skin and you dont have problems. I live in Yelm. My dogs obviously flush. (When I am old and lazy, i might consider a pointer) I like the anticipation of the flush plus I duck hunt. You are more than welcome to come check my kids out. They hunt, go on trail rides with the horses, they go fishing with us plus we live on a lake. So needless to say they swim alot. And to top it off, they are indoor dogs. They sleep on the bed if they want. I serve them for crying out loud! And it ahould be that way. If you are gonna have a dog, you might as well spoil it rotten or its nothing more than a chore. I wont live a single day of the rest of my life without a lab! They even go to work with me! Im not bangin any other breed cause I like most of them too. You just cant and wont go wrong with a lab....plain and simple.

[DaveBTS]

Pudlepointer

[Holg3107]

Heres our little guy (photo taken 2 weeks ago). Take your wife somewhere with some lab puppies and she will turn into butter and all will be well. A woman cant resist a lab puppy!!! A wise man once said: "Its easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission."

[KFhunter]

if the dog lives indoors that won't help the cold water tolerance - for any dog

labs get cold too, I've had some labs shivering so bad I've called off the hunt and sat in the truck with the heater on, this on an outdoor dog - lab was too dumb to stop though, I think he'd have hunted till he froze stiff 

miss that dog

[bobcat]

Here you go:

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,107667.msg1392866/topicseen.html#new

[akirkland]

When waterfowl hunting, my labs wear neoprene vests (5 mil). They have been cold for sure. So have I. I wont put them in danger. I when enough is enough. However, I had my male with me, fishing the reload on the Tilton. That sum gun swam in one place, against the current with snow on the ground and ice on the edge of the river for more than 5-7 minutes before I made him get out. Ive also had them hunt pheasant til you think their hearts gonna explode. I have been scared in the past, thats why I dont push them over the limit.

[Atroxus]

Here you go:

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,107667.msg1392866/topicseen.html#new

That thread is about a truck

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[bobcat]

Here you go:

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,107667.msg1392866/topicseen.html#new

That thread is about a truck

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Looks like a free 6 month old female lab to me.

[Atroxus]

Here you go:

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,107667.msg1392866/topicseen.html#new

That thread is about a truck

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Looks like a free 6 month old female lab to me.

Weird I will have to try it on my pc. Might be a glitch with my tapatalk app.

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[Atroxus]

Well crud, looks like it was a glitch with my phone app. Someone else already responded.

[Kola16]

A poodle is a chicks dog rat.   

Also, I think that whatever breed you get (which should be a lab  ), it MUST be a puppy  You need to train it when it is young.