Small breed Bird Dog's

[GrampasGuns]

My Gordon is about 60lbs, fits in a medium crate, and a queen size bed just fine! Just don't spoil em!

[Curly]

I saw a guy by Potholes one time hunting pheasants with 2 wiener dogs.  It was a funny sight to see, since I'd never heard of wiener dogs used for hunting, but they were actually hunting pretty good.      

[AspenBud]

Generally speaking, just about any of the pointing breeds from trial lines will top out at 45-55 lbs max. Some are a little lighter than that in some cases. But they are all going to be higher powered than the average dog owner is used to.

If that weight range is "smaller" to you I would take a look at labs bred for upland work if you have a small house or yard. Otherwise go with an English Cocker from field lines, do not buy one that has AKC show titles all over it.

[pens fan]

How big is your yard and how much time are you able to spend with the dog?

Pointer or flusher? Plan on hunting ducks also?

I saw an english cocker a couple of weeks ago. Maybe 20 pounds at three years.

[wiremonkey]

Well, I did some more looking, I am thinking a brittany seems the way to go for me. I have an alright size yard and the small ones seem to run around 30-35 lbs. That would be just about right. The English Cocker spaniel also seems like it would be good although I would worry about the ears a bit more. Thanks for all the input, I am still a ways out from getting another dog, just curious for future. 

[akirkland]

I would strongly suggest finding a smaller female lab. My 8 yr old black is 50 pounds. On the flip side, my male is 100 pounds. I personally like the smaller size females, especially for upland bird. And ya cant go wrong with a lab. Best dog ever.

[huntingfool7]

How big is your yard and how much time are you able to spend with the dog?

Pointer or flusher? Plan on hunting ducks also?

I saw an english cocker a couple of weeks ago. Maybe 20 pounds at three years.

Pens Fan, aren't you a Boykin spaniel guy?  How heavy are those good looking little dogs?

Brittanys are a great little hunting breed.  They don't do anything for me in the looks dept. but that's a personal thing.

[skinzner]

Pudelpointer, my dog is 53 pounds, she is everything i could have hoped for in my first hunting dog. Damn good hunter and great around the house and as a bonus doesnt shed much. I got mine out of Cedarwoods Pudelpointers in Boise , bob is a great guy to talk to. Heres a pic of my dog Cedar

[AspenBud]

The English Cocker spaniel also seems like it would be good although I would worry about the ears a bit more.

As long as you don't go for the AKC bench type that shouldn't be a worry for you. The field type is not the same.

If you're looking at Brittany's you should check out some field trials and look at setters and Pointers as well. Trial bred shorthairs also tend to run smaller.

[netcoyote]

English Setter
Nothing Better than hunting with a Setter!

 
My setter is from sporting setter line. He's about 45 lbs and fast as lightening and great on upland birds. If you look at setters stay away from the show setters, they are much larger dogs. Don't get a setter if you think you want to use him for water.
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[johng]

Hi,

Lots of great suggestions so far.... I am still learning the whole hunting game (4th season coming up) but I went with a Brittany a year ago.  He is a great little dog.  Opie is 1.5 years old and weighs just over 35 pounds but he can hunt All Day.  In fact, that is one of his many nicknames.  AD.

We headed afield with him just as a pup last season and I can say that he was kicking up birds when other dog breeds (which will remain nameless- haha!) had no idea birds were in that area.  He is smart, friendly, super super high energy (like he needs to be ran every day or he goes bat *hit crazy), loving and fairly easy to train.  I got him from Jim Lallas of Acme Hunting Club in Deming, WA.  (www.acmehuntingclub.com) 

So far he doesn't seem to be too keen on getting in the water though.  From what I hear Britts will retrieve ducks but just something to be aware of if you want him to get a duck for ya.... we plan to work on that more this summer.

Good luck and let us know what you get.

p.s. I have lost 15+ pounds since owning a Brittany...

p.p.s.... here are a couple of pics of him... how can that one guy say Britts aren't handsome looking dogs?!   

[huntingfool7]

I have no defense.  There's a cute pup.   

[JJD]

Have a friend who had a German Wirehair.  Very tough, high energy dog.  If'n I was lookin for a great little upland dog, I'd give one serious consideration.

[AspenBud]

Honestly, if you're looking for a bird vacuum in the uplands I would take a serious look at Pointers. Not all lines run to the next horizon (get a dog of elhew lineage) and I've talked with plenty of shorthair, Brittany, and setter owners who told me they'll never go back to those breeds after owning a Pointer. At 45-55 lbs generally, I'm not sure they qualify as small and they do need a fair amount of exercise to be good house dogs, but they're really second to none. If fur and ducks are part of your game plan they are not a good option however.

Shameless plug for my favorite breed over.

[pens fan]

Pens Fan, aren't you a Boykin spaniel guy?  How heavy are those good looking little dogs?

Brittanys are a great little hunting breed.  They don't do anything for me in the looks dept. but that's a personal thing.
[/quote]

Huntinfool, most of my males have run 40 pounds. Females 30-40.
But, i am becoming a believer in that they will grow as much as you feed them.
People have their reasons for liking a particular breed. Just like cars, theres all different brands and models, and lemons in everyone of those. I won't stand on anyones soapbox to promote what i think is a great alternative, but i do like to get them to question their reasons.

Boykins are a special breed and not for everyone. Neitjer ate labs or Brits