doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Looking for some recommendations for a bird dog

Jerry, I'll pass along the houskeeping tip to my wife. LOL

Geno, I already said YOU might not smell the dog (pointing or otherwise). I assure you though, everyone else can smell'em. You're right about the house dogs being "smarter". I think that's because they are more socialized in relation to us.

Chuck, you BETTER be knocking on wood if you left the beast in the house alone...Geo

Our new yellow Lab puppy already thinks her name is Dammit Stella!...Geo

These discussions are similar to "Maryann or Ginger?"

In all honesty, I have not read all of the posts. I glanced through most of them. You are looking for a smaller breed, a good family pet, and outstanding hunting ability. You mention a focus on Quail, with some duck hunting. I think you also mentioned coat maintenance.

A French Brittany may fill the bill. I also agree with another poster who mentioned the Small Munsterlander. If you want or prefer a pointing breed, I would highly recommend you find one with a strong testing background through NAVHDA, the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association.

You also mention the Golden Retriever and Welsh Springer Spaniel. Both beautiful breeds. However, you will really need to dig deep and search hard for a true, hunting breeder. Sadly, these dogs have been taken over somewhat by the show people, whose chief focus is conformation, rather than hunting. Beware the breeder who simply slaps an AKC Junior Hunter title on their dogs and claim that they hunt. In the Goldens, look for strong testing in either NAHRA or HRC. When I was looking for a pup, I looked into the Welsh SS. I could not find one hunting kennel. In fact, some breeders did not want to sell me one when I mentioned using the pup for hunting.

You may want to consider an American Water Spaniel or perhaps a Boykin. They are small, have lots of hunting ability, and are well behaved in the home. I ended up getting an AWS and could not be more pleased. He weighs in at 40 pounds. And, I have shot more wild quail over him than any other breed. Just my opinion. Good luck and try not to let emotion overide logic. Hope this helped.

Kind regards,

When I first got my dog, the pedigree said "My-Emma's-Jasmine". After a few weeks, I changed it to Dammit-Jas. In her adulthood, I've re-registered her as "Good-girl-Jas"...Hey! I was optimistic!

At sixty years old, I found my first German Wirehair Pointer. Now, at sixty five, I will not have another breed. However, they don't meet everyone's requirements. My wife's two generations of Springers were most delightful and the son was still doing water retrieves at fourteen. However, our present Wirehair is just off the charts for personality and hunting ability.

Bill:

I retired my littermate to your GWP. I in turn gave her to my son where she occassionally points and retrieves pheasants and provides great companionship to his two little girls.

I have had Brittany's all my life. I am not likely to change. My current dog Zeke is a great one. Buy a Britt. MDE

BUY GOLD NOW....... Great Photos ALL. Expect more this fall. Geo. Love the photo of Trent getting on it quick. The reflexes of youth. Wade, your dog sure has it tough. My first registered field Golden was bought in 1988, a Top Brass pup named Cody. Brother and I have been raising and hunting with them since then. Randy
Glen and his Parker [dog and gun], great aunt to my Oakley. Parker is one terrific upland and waterfowl dog.


My Brachen, with brace of pheasants, Parker VH, Fox SW

Brother Glen and I with his Chitna and Caribou, ND

Glens Caribou and Hawken, Reeb 12ga.

My Timber after an exhausting coon hunt

MY 11 Month old, Oakley, as in Annie Oakley, first retrieve last fall on a preserve hunt

Need I say more!

I have a Vizsla female that weighs 50 lbs. Will hunt any bird but will not retrive in water. That is just her, most Vizsla like water. A great family dog. Loves people and very quiet. She does need exercise every day. For us that is just a nice walk every morning. I live in Weed, CA so would be happy to show her to you.

Hi All, Just wanted to again thank everyone for the comments and suggestions. My wife and I had a great time looking at all the photos and reading the posts. She was very impressed with the response. A dog is a long term commitment so we're going to take our time and have fun looking for the right dog. The information on here has been very helpful.
Ron