Small Hunting dog, which one?

[ghosthunter]

 My wife and I have been having a discussion on our next and final dog of our lives. We have two senior dogs now.

A 16 year old rescue dog mixed rat terrier and a 12 year old Ireland Farm Lab. The Terrier has a heart condition which is getting worse.

The Lab is the picture of health except a little slower these days. I expect to get two or three years out of her yet. We have not duck hunted last couple years, but we enjoy grouse season. I am 73 my wife 68.

My wife thinks the Terrier fading fast and wants to get another dog to partner with the lab.
I on the other hand want to be a one dog family and I told her she could pick the next dog.

However I am coaching her to look at small hunting breeds, thinking a dog I could train and casual hunt and a house dog for her too.

We travel some in our small trailer and fish lakes around the state out of our pontoon boats.
The terrier goes with us, rides on the pontoon s with a life jacket because he cannot swim a lick.
The lab stays home half the time with a sitter at our house. The lab has kennel outside very large ,protected by a roof and dog house . She prefers outside to inside.

My goal for the final dog is to live inside, go where we go, hunt grouse, ducks and upland and be a companion for my wife in a smaller package. Female

My wife’s goal a dog well mannered, in the house that can go on walks with her and chum around with in the yard, can fish with her and has an off switch. Male
 
We are not looking now just research we are committed to the dogs we have. But just doing a little researching.

Soooo. Looking for comments on these breeds only.

French Brittney Spaniels
Boykin Spaniels
English Cocker Spaniels

So anyone have any knowledge advice or experience with these breeds? I am confident I can train any of these to do the job.

[Latakia]

Have an English Cocker here and he's great. For hunting they work close so no need for fancy gps collars or much gear. High energy but with some outdoor play and a little mental stimulation each day they are great in the house. We got ours from Kirby Mountain Kennels in Vermont 11 years ago and he's definitely bread for hunting. He still has more go on opening day than I do. He's 41lbs, not overweight at all which is on the big side for the breed. Cozy on a couch but too big to be a lap dog. Only health issues are ear infections if you don't stay on top of cleaning.

[Man Tracker]

We have 2 Boykins. Great hunters, great family dogs. Need exercise and stimulation. They weigh 30-40;bs. Ours doesn't shed much. Love to ride in truck, car, boat. Great in the water. Don't slobber. Will sleep in house or outdoor kennel. Quick learners. PM if more info needed.

[metlhead]

Small Muesterlaender ifn you can find em

[follow maggie]

I have a friend that hunts upland with two cockers & they are bird finding machines and very pleasant  to be around.

[shootem]

A strong second on a Boykin Spaniel. I have been a lab guy for a long time but wanted a second dog that fit your description and did better in early season warm weather than my lab. My Boykin has been a pleasure. He ended up being over 50 lbs fit and trim which was not my plan. If I get another it would be a more traditional smaller size. He loves the water at least as much as my lab.

[HighCountryHunter88]

field bred english cocker would be the ticket 

[jrebel]

We have a Brittany and she is pretty amazing.  Smart, well behaved, and very loyal to our family.   She loves rides in the truck doing whatever the family does.  You have to keep her groomed or she will over heat very easy in the summer around here.   Her pic is my profile pic.   

We have a WHP too.  She is our old lady and has been a great dog.  We aren’t to far away from looking ourselves as our old lady doesn’t have to many years left in her. 

[Happy Gilmore]

Well bred Britney tested for health certs or a springer

[ghosthunter]

Up date and reviving this thread. Our little terrier mix passed the day before Valentine’s Day at 16.
The lab is 13 this year appears to be going strong. I have been very careful with her managing weight at 60 lbs. On days when we can’t get to the Skagit wetlands we do ball in the yard. Shes doing 30-35 ball retrieves 200 ft one way before she gets winded.

When we go to wetlands we do traditional waterfowl type retrieving and upland quartering.

Not looking for replacement yet as I am committed to my lab. I have revived my research and kinda have settled on looking at Boykin. Mainly because much of or time is on water in pontoon boats fishing. When not hunting.

So interested in hearing any Boykin input. Female simply because much of the time we will be in canvas wall tents and just would rather not have the leg lifting.

Not in market yet, the lab still going strong.

[Bucks2Ducks]

Have you looked at American water Spaniels at all? Sounds exactly like what you're looking for, very similar to a Boykin. You also have 2 breeders in Skagit county.

[Shooter4]

I had a french Brittany, beautiful dogs they are good family dogs and excellent hunting dogs check out sunburstbrittanys

[ghosthunter]

Have you looked at American water Spaniels at all? Sounds exactly like what you're looking for, very similar to a Boykin. You also have 2 breeders in Skagit county.

I have looked into AWS on the internet. Some state they can bark quite a bit. That wouldn’t suit my style. We travel quite a bit in campgrounds. I taught my labs to be silent. Also size is a factor looking for as small as I can get . Because of traveling in small truck, trailer and fitting on the back of a pontoon boat.

I have given thought to French Brittney too. My hold up there is I would like something durable in cold weather if that makes sense.

I have not ruled out any of these breeds. Just seems the Boykin fits better from what I read.

This is all research at this point my lab at 13 is doing well. And I am 100% committed to her. We e had two dogs for 10 years but at 74 I want to be a one dog house and as small as possible for some duck and upland hunting.

[Shooter4]

Have you looked at American water Spaniels at all? Sounds exactly like what you're looking for, very similar to a Boykin. You also have 2 breeders in Skagit county.

I have looked into AWS on the internet. Some state they can bark quite a bit. That wouldn’t suit my style. We travel quite a bit in campgrounds. I taught my labs to be silent. Also size is a factor looking for as small as I can get . Because of traveling in small truck, trailer and fitting on the back of a pontoon boat.

I have given thought to French Brittney too. My hold up there is I would like something durable in cold weather if that makes sense.

I have not ruled out any of these breeds. Just seems the Boykin fits better from what I read.

This is all research at this point my lab at 13 is doing well. And I am 100% committed to her. We e had two dogs for 10 years but at 74 I want to be a one dog house and as small as possible for some duck and upland hunting.

Ive had a lab a golden and a french he hunted in cold snowy conditions just fine french Brittanys will always be our go to now

[ghosthunter]

Have you looked at American water Spaniels at all? Sounds exactly like what you're looking for, very similar to a Boykin. You also have 2 breeders in Skagit county.

I have looked into AWS on the internet. Some state they can bark quite a bit. That wouldn’t suit my style. We travel quite a bit in campgrounds. I taught my labs to be silent. Also size is a factor looking for as small as I can get . Because of traveling in small truck, trailer and fitting on the back of a pontoon boat.

I have given thought to French Brittney too. My hold up there is I would like something durable in cold weather if that makes sense.

I have not ruled out any of these breeds. Just seems the Boykin fits better from what I read.

This is all research at this point my lab at 13 is doing well. And I am 100% committed to her. We e had two dogs for 10 years but at 74 I want to be a one dog house and as small as possible for some duck and upland hunting.

Ive had a lab a golden and a french he hunted in cold snowy conditions just fine french Brittanys will always be our go to now

I do like French Brittney s. Still researching.

Thanks

[ghosthunter]

Well I have spent several hours researching dogs. And right now today I am kinda leaning now towards a Field Bred English Cocker. Other than grooming needs they seem like a good fit.

It’s been 13 years since I bought the lab. Anyone got a ballpark idea about the cost of a field bred English cocker from hunting lines . Not doing trial and all that jazz. Just a healthy , hunter as a last dog for an old guy. Pup because I prefer to train my own.

.??

[Henrydog]

I have had 2 field bred Springers...Not the same but kissin' cousins to the cocker.  My current one was $900

[Jpmiller]

Our Ireland farms lab is small (50 pounds or so) and sounds exactly like what you’re describing you want. Since you already have one of theirs it takes some of the guess work out of it for you.

[ghosthunter]

Our Ireland farms lab is small (50 pounds or so) and sounds exactly like what you’re describing you want. Since you already have one of theirs it takes some of the guess work out of it for you.

Thanks, I am a huge fan of Ireland Farms , I have this wonderful gal . She is 60 lbs and a retrieving machine. Not a lick of fat on her. At 13 this years she looks strong ,but slowing a little. But still stronger than most.
She’s too big for the pontoons boats or the yak. She came from Ireland.

I have had two labs both good dogs. But we are at the point in our lives that a smaller package suits our life better after this gal is gone. The English cocker females would be half her size and weight.

All this could be a while off as this gal is still a goer for her age. And I am committed to her.

And now it time for her and I to take a hike and throw some retrieves.


Ps , but if the time comes I hope I can find a breeder like Warren. Easy to work with and wonderful dogs.

[ghosthunter]

I have had 2 field bred Springers...Not the same but kissin' cousins to the cocker.  My current one was $900

I paid around that for my lab , years ago.

[Henrydog]

First photo is full grown 52lbs.  2nd photo is older puppy in training about 40lbs

[ghosthunter]

First photo is full grown 52lbs.  2nd photo is older puppy in training about 40lbs

Nice

[Smokeploe]

Might want to check out Brittanie’s .  They average about 40-45 pounds, tireless energy very devoted and wants to please.  I have had 2 Brit’s since 2006 lost one got another.

[Tafinder]

my daughter has a little French Brittany… she is a great home companion and she does good hunting but needs more experience in the field! Sadly my daughter has has a bad knee that stops her from getting out hunting a lot!
 If you want a smaller pointing dog then I think a French Britt is a great choice!
They can meet your hunting needs and your wife’s home companionship!
  If a flushing breed of s what you want then an English Cocker would definitely be a great option!

[huntnfmly]

Another vote for French Brittany great dogs will go for hrs and has a off switch when in the house most times lol
Nugent is right at 33#

[huntnfmly]

Here this might work

[ghosthunter]

Nice

[Colin]

I've trained a few boykins, and you really want to be sure you know what you're buying. With any of the specialized breeds there are a lot more pitfalls to be aware of.

Of the breeds mentioned I'd favor a boykin for retrieving ability coupled with upland flushing. Not my cup of tea but be sure to get one from a top tier breeder (Brandywine Creek BS) or you're likely to get a couch potato rather than a hunting dog.

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk