Need help choosing a dog breed

[Atroxus]

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.

If it was my decision alone I would go with a lab no doubt...I just wish I had been able to view that link properly from my phone. I could probably talk my wife into going along with a lab puppy that was free and already potty trained a lot easier than buying one. I think I may just keep working on her to see if I can change her mind though.

[Kola16]

Just FYI. My AKC (American Kennel Club [almost means nothing]) lab was $300

[Atroxus]

Just FYI. My AKC (American Kennel Club [almost means nothing]) lab was $300

Ya my wife wants to get a rescue dog, preferably that we can adopt for free. The more I research though the more I am leaning towards saving my pennies to buy a puppy instead...unless I happen across another great deal like a 6 month old potty trained female lab for free....<grumbles> smart phone my behind 

[runamuk]

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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Rescue dogs often cost 200-300 and up rescues are big business these days....however that said you can still find decent dogs needing rehoming for little to no money, getting the right dog for the entire family needs to be the first priority.  I did dog rescue for almost 20 years, it was pretty common for me to have at any time a dog looking for a home, I strictly did purebreds and usually hard to place sorts....dont give up you can find some real gems out there....

That is common with any sporting or herding or working breeds they need to work, if you are dedicated you can fit in an active dog.  Our poodle could clear 7 feet from a standstill he was 27 inches tall and weighed in around 70lbs he was a big dog, and he was not nice to strangers but kind and gentle with all the kids that came and went he was active and bouncy and drove me nuts as long as they played ball with him and made him jump through hula hoops...or some odd game that involved flying poodle and some hunt time he was a happy dog.  They also are reasonably hypo allergenic.  There is another member on here who hunts with a poodle you might hit them up mine is gone and I never got any pics of him out hunting.
I am not a lab fan, just my preference, and I am not a sporting breed fan normally, I like chows, and sight hounds but have tried lots of dogs...at the moment I live with a gwp he isn't mine but he lives in the same house I do....as annoying as this type of energetic dog is to me for the most part I do love this dog....he is great when its just me and him and my "kick" dog dont ask I normally hate toy sized dogs but this one well she fit in my life pretty darn well.....they both have lots of energy and play a lot but they also sack out and watch tv with me or hang while I work on stuff.

[Stilly bay]

(American Kennel Club [almost means nothing])

X2
I think by and large most folks don't understand the significance of an AKC registration. its certainly not a guarantee of quality or a guide to quality.

[Heredoggydoggy]

All dogs shed.  Long hair sits on top of stuff and vacuums easily.  Short hair works it's way into fabric end-ways, and is nearly impossible to remove.  If you need to find that out for yourself, so be it!

[Kola16]

The amount of joy that comes from 1 extra year is worth saving for a lifetime  Plus it is a lot easier to train 

All dogs shed.  Long hair sits on top of stuff and vacuums easily.  Short hair works it's way into fabric end-ways, and is nearly impossible to remove.  If you need to find that out for yourself, so be it!

Don't you love it when your buddies weimaraner's hair sticks up your @$$ 

[bobcat]

All dogs shed.  Long hair sits on top of stuff and vacuums easily.  Short hair works it's way into fabric end-ways, and is nearly impossible to remove.  If you need to find that out for yourself, so be it!

True statement. My GSP's hair stuck in everything, and didn't vacuum up well at all. My Golden Retriever and Brittany have longer hair but it vacuums up easier. I don't think it's really something to base your decision on.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Run is right--rescue dogs aren't free.  My buddy got a dog from the local pound (Yellow Lab mix) and the "special fee" was $150.  Nice dog, but I wouldn't have paid that much for him!

My first Setter I got for free.  She spent the first 1 1/2 years cooped up in the back yard of a doctor's house.  That dog didn't care if she hunted with me or not.  My second Setter, I got as a pup, and we were practically joined at the hip for 15 years.  When we went hunting, she acted like she was worried that I would be the one to get lost!

[akirkland]

I will be breeding my chocolate to a black this spring. I get pick of the litter (which Im keeping) but I can get you a pup for pretty cheap, provided I meet with you and discuss what kind of life tou will provide. Probably have you sign a contract saying it comes back to me if you dont keep it. Just somewhat standard stuff when you go through the process with responsible breeders. Late spring is the best time to get a pup. The weather is better for all training. Let me know if you are interested.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Late spring is the best time to get a pup. The weather is better for all training. Let me know if you are interested.

Yes!  By Fall the pup will be old enough to go hunting. 

[wraithen]

I see tons of bird dogs at cabelas just about every week 

[Atroxus]

I will be breeding my chocolate to a black this spring. I get pick of the litter (which Im keeping) but I can get you a pup for pretty cheap, provided I meet with you and discuss what kind of life tou will provide. Probably have you sign a contract saying it comes back to me if you dont keep it. Just somewhat standard stuff when you go through the process with responsible breeders. Late spring is the best time to get a pup. The weather is better for all training. Let me know if you are interested.

I am thinking if I can't win the great lab debate of 2012 with my wife, I will probably start looking/saving for a Springer Spaniel. I will keep you in mind if I convince my wife to go with a lab though.

[Kola16]

I will be breeding my chocolate to a black this spring. I get pick of the litter (which Im keeping) but I can get you a pup for pretty cheap, provided I meet with you and discuss what kind of life tou will provide. Probably have you sign a contract saying it comes back to me if you dont keep it. Just somewhat standard stuff when you go through the process with responsible breeders. Late spring is the best time to get a pup. The weather is better for all training. Let me know if you are interested.

I am thinking if I can't win the great lab debate of 2012 with my wife, I will probably start looking/saving for a Springer Spaniel. I will keep you in mind if I convince my wife to go with a lab though.

Get her on here 

[pens fan]

Lessee
1. Good with kids......Boykin
2. Less than 50#.......Boykin
3. Does not shed....much...Boykin
4. Will duck hunt...Boykin
5. Will upland hunt...Boykin

The entire group agrees.....lab???

 As for cold weather....Alaska guides are demanding Boykins due to their size and cold weather handling.
As for availability, I have about 30 pups in the northwest, three in Alaska.
As for price...$600-$1000.
My youngest male is getting his OFAs this week. There is a bit h not 20 mules from me getting the same. She is expected to go into heat around Feb. Pups ready around late April. This is if everything goes good with OFA's, eyes and EIC. So, availability is here...