Need help picking a breed.

[WRL]

What color was your lab?

I get LOTS of people that have a black or chocolate then go to a yellow and say they shed more. Nope they don't. BUT it is more noticeable.

All the sporting dogs shed. Some less than others but I think its less of a breed thing and more of an individual dog thing.

Whatever you go with, I am here to tell you that going with a DARK dog will make it seem like they shed less.

Everyone thinks "their" breed is the best. I'd call some trainers that have trained a great deal of the "other" breeds....boykins, springers etc......AND really, like the other poster said, I would not get a pointer if you are mainly looking for a family dog and only hunt a handful of times a year. I love the pointing breeds, but a lot of them are going to drive you bugnuts if they are not exercised a bunch.

WRL

[MHWASH]

We are very active family, but most of it is not dog friendly. Sports with the boys 3-4 times a week. Boys are 11 & 7. I expect to bird hunt 5-6 times  year. We live in a house with a fenced yard. We spend a lot of time camping in the summer.

[runamuk]

I live with a GWP and the bugnuts is a correct assertion if he does not get run daily he is a nutball....love him to pieces he is a great dog but he has energy to burn.  I had friends who had a springer and a brittany and they seemed a little less wired.  I have had a standard poodle that hunted, they can be great bird dogs good family dogs something many dont know is they are also very protective of their home, they dont really shed and you can keep them shaved down for a very no fuss coat.  I like most dogs but am only willing to live with certain types after years of taking in and fostering many purebreds.  Many people here may be very anti AKC dog show but if you could go to a show you could see and meet lots of breeds in one spot, and with a family pet in mind that can hunt this might be better than choosing a high drive hunting focused bloodline.

good luck have fun and take your time so you make the best choice for your family.

[Curly]

Don't forget to add english cocker to the list.

Link about the breed.

[Birdguy]

A smaller lab would be my choice, we put a deposit on one yesterday that should be 45-50# all grown.
Outside of that I would look at Boykins (Pens Fan on here has 3 I think should be a good resource for questions) or the springer, and I am certain once you narrow it down you can find specific folks on here to ask more breed specific questions. I applaud you for giving this topic good honest thought before you buy  .

[jeepster]

I have a vizsla.....

Same headache as a GSP....just a different color. Great dogs, protective and loyal, killer nose.... Needs to be trained by somebody who knows what they are doing..... not a good starter dog, awesome family dog tho.....

Needs to run a few miles a day or they will drive you nucking futts........

I'd go with a lab............

[sanderson]

For a flushing breed Springer. For me great family and hunting partner.

[jetjockey]

Springer or a brittany would be my choice.  Maybe we've been lucky, but I don't see the need for all the exercise people keep talking about.  My brittany sleeps in bed with us, and when it gets too warm to run her down here in GA, she doesn't get exercised.   She's a great house dog , but doesn't need to be run every day like people suggest.  Once a week is plenty for her.  My parents are in their early 70's.  They have a brittany a ho has heavy trial breeding. The dog is a log in the house, and at their age, about the only exercise she gets is hunting during the fall, and the occasional walk. She's a great house dog as well.  We also have a lab, and I'm sorry to say, we probably won't have another.  Great dog, but I get sick of the shedding.   I have yet to see a flushing dog or retriever who can keep up with a pouting dog in the field for hours on end.  IMO the pointing dogs are much better athletes because thy breed for it.  IMO, a close working pointing dog would be your best bet.  A Brit is a great choice.

[rasbo]

I just hunted with three springers,had brits and english setters..I would choose a small lab over them breeds. good luck what ever you choose....

[AspenBud]

Springer or a brittany would be my choice.  Maybe we've been lucky, but I don't see the need for all the exercise people keep talking about.  My brittany sleeps in bed with us, and when it gets too warm to run her down here in GA, she doesn't get exercised.   She's a great house dog , but doesn't need to be run every day like people suggest.  Once a week is plenty for her. 

How big a yard do you have? I could get away with not running my Pointers for weeks at a time when we lived on a little more than an acre, half of which was fenced for them. But on a smaller lot I have to get them out at least a couple of times a week. Otherwise they become a pain in the butt and can get destructive.

[coachcw]

boygin spaniel

[jetjockey]

Springer or a brittany would be my choice.  Maybe we've been lucky, but I don't see the need for all the exercise people keep talking about.  My brittany sleeps in bed with us, and when it gets too warm to run her down here in GA, she doesn't get exercised.   She's a great house dog , but doesn't need to be run every day like people suggest.  Once a week is plenty for her. 

How big a yard do you have? I could get away with not running my Pointers for weeks at a time when we lived on a little more than an acre, half of which was fenced for them. But on a smaller lot I have to get them out at least a couple of times a week. Otherwise they become a pain in the butt and can get destructive.

Not big.  Maybe 3000 sq/ft.  Same with my parents.  Mine is fenced and they have an electric fence.  My parents dog is a house dog when they are home, and crated when they aren't.  We leave ours out during the day to play with our lab, but all they do is lay around and sleep in the sun.

[Ridgerunner]

Golden retriever, look at the field line of the breed, most are under 60 pounds, great family and inside pets, we just put a deposit down on one that will be due in late December.  My plan is to hunt with her 5-6 times a year, and mainly have her as a family pet.  This will be our second one, the field line is generally very birdy and easy to train.  Pm if you want more details.

[Heredoggydoggy]

The common thinking is that short hair is easier to clean up.  IT'S NOT!  Long hair lays on the surface and vacuums up easily.  Short hair woks its way into fabric and places, stands straight up, and doesn't vacuum up for anything!

Get a dog that you like.  You will get a lot of "my favorite breed" responses here, and that's not a bad thing.  Choose a dog like you would choose a wife.  (You'll probably have the dog longer!) 

[steen]

A female Red Setter.  Very sweet dogs and hunting machines. Our Ruby is a great family dog also and now we have a granddaughter from one of her puppies.  Two of our kids have them and a few friends.  We don't lock them up, they have free run and stay close to home.  Good luck picking your dog!