Need Help on What Kind of Dog to Get

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rcskidoo

New member
Looking for some input on what kind of dog to get....Now that I graduate college, got a job, and am getting married the future wife and I are ready for our own dog. We both have had dogs in the past. She has had her dogs in doors and mine out doors. Of course her being the wife, what she says goes. She wants a dog that will be in doors. That is no problem with me, however I want a bird dog for pheasant, grouse, and pats. I was originally leaning towards a lab, however I have been told they shed pretty good. Labs are a great family dog. I was then leaning towards a brittany. So what I am in need of is some in-put on a good bird dog that does not shed to much so it can stay in doors. Any input would be nice. Thanks for everyones help.

RC
 
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revman

New member
Both breeds are great. The Brit is going to be, I don't want to use the word "hyper," but VERY energetic. My buddy has one and she's a sweetie. She, however, would run for days on end if he would let her. They even do the treadmill walk/run with her on some of these really cold days.

I have a lab. He does shed and that's no fun, BUT, in my opinion, there is no better all around breed. If you hunt birds, they are great. The nice thing about labs is you can get them in all sizes. Mine is a beast, but there are some great looking medium sized labs too. So she's right, they will shed, and my wife hates that too, but MY hunting dog has also become HER baby. Don't think she'd trade that EVER!

Good luck and have fun with that puppy stage! Try to stay sane!

REVman
 
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zimmbob

Member
A lab is going to be a great friend, and a great hunter for you. The down side: Some of them are very excitable, especially when young. They've been bred so much and there are so many out there now, there is a lot of talk that the breed is losing it's purity. Also, they do shed quite a bit, and bigger yet, their oily coat (water dog) tends to bring in dirt and oil and it will get on your carpet, furniture, and anywhere else the dog lays. Not that it's bad, but just be prepared for it. Had a yellow lab for 14 years, and loved her. She was an indoor dog.

My neighbor has a French Pointer. Super cool dog. They are small (40 lbs or so), very short hair, and great hunters. Expensive dog to find though.

There are 'find me a dog' type of tools on the internet to match you up with what you desire and like about a dog. Give one of those a try. I currently have an English Mastif. All 150lbs of her lives in our house with us! Don't know if I'll ever get used to the drool though.....
 
srt20

srt20

Active member
Proper grooming helps reduce shedding. They also make vacuums that are better at getting up dog hair. We got a Lab pup 3 months ago. Do alot of research, on what breed will fit your lifestyle the best. It took us 6 months to be completely comfortable with the right breed for us. Which includes figuring time spent training, socializing, and exercising the pup. We are very happy with our decision and the way things are going. Once you figure out the breed, do more research, on the standards for the breed, so you can make sure you get a properly bred dog. Way to many puppy mills and backyard breeders out there, that dont care about the breed. That usually ends up with problems, hips, eyes, size, etc....
 
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zrgrl

New member
All would be great choices! But either way, any dog is going to shed. I have a lab and he sheds quite a bit. If you keep up on grooming it shouldn't be too horrible. I also have a friend that has a brittany and they require a little more grooming because their coat is a bit longer. She usually keeps up on grooming and gives him a trim quite often. Another option could be your pointers. They have a shorter smooth coat which, they will shed, but might be less noticeable. I think any choices would be great for hunting and companionship, but remember all sporting dogs need a decent amount of exercise and can be high energy a lot of the time. Good luck in your searching!!!


If you would like some great info check out AKC.ORG and you can check out breeds by name or group. They get into detail about anything you would need to know about a certain breed.
 
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Team Elkhorn

Guest
Dont lol but what about poodles? They where originally bred as water retrievers and they are hypo-allergenic and dont shed. We have two, and I can tell you they are the smartest dogs we have ever had. Grooming is a pain,but they are very clean and they sleep with us. (we need a bigger bed:) We dont hunt but they are natural born flushers. Never thought much about them before myself. Check them out.
Also very affectionate.
 
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Cat Woman

New member
Our friend has a German Shorthaired Pointer. He's a beautiful, smart dog that needs daily excercise. They are hunting dogs by nature and are usually a pretty healthy breed and live 12-15 years.
 
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greggk

New member
You might consider an english setter (not to be confused with the wild red irish setter). We did a lot of research as our golden retriever was nearing the end and found that the breed is a great family dog (requirement of mom and kids) and a very intelligent natural bird hunter. She seems to know when to turn on the energy in the field yet loves to lay in your lap and please you around the house. They do need room to run as any hunting breed will require and since they are not overbred they tend to have less health problems. We got our pup from a breeder near Baldwin, WI and her genetics from top grouse champs in the midwest. Can't go wrong with the Brit or Lab but we wanted something different and I think we found a winner. Gregg
 
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wags

New member
Look at these two breeds, Vizsla and the Weimaraner both great bird dogs that are also great family dogs that don't shed as much as a Lab.
 
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upbarleyboy

New member
rcskidoo said:
doors. Of course her being the wife, what she says goes.
RC
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Not even married yet, and already she's got you where she wants you. You're setting the stage for a very long, no sense telling me what you want cuz' it doesn't matter, life. The way you handle things now will most certainly dictate the amount of fulfillment and equality you get out of your marriage. You still have a chance to change the course of the history of marital relationships. It's not too late-there's still time!! Do it for all those that have set the stage for this uneven playing field. Tell her what you want-heck....DEMAND IT!! Than run like **** backwards (this will allow you to see the items she is firing at you and dodge them as you make your exit), get in your vehicle, take a long ride, and think about what you just did. You just went where few men have ever dared venture before. Once she cools down (in about 6 hours), it will than be safe to make your way home. If she's truly the woman you believe she is, she will forgive you. In the end, she will get the dog she wanted (you don't need a hunting dog anyways-you're getting married--the days of pounding the fields are over). You may also end up with a black eye from one of the multitude of flying objects, and a bruised ego, but damn it you stood your ground. Fine job young man!!
 
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sledboy482

Member
Look into the Visla. My daughter has one. Great hunting dogs, that shed very little. They are truly people dogs. Hers comes up and will lay right tight against me while sitting on the couch. They love to feel your heart beating and are super loyal. They are very intelligent dogs and are very beautiful. Hers have been very easy to train, altough they aren't hunters, so this one isn't trained to hunt. She is going to have her bred again. If you are interested in one, pm me. I will try to post a pic of her dog for you.
 
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dolph

New member
RC, We've got three labs,1,3, and12 years old.They are all inside pets, and are great with people. Yes, its true you will get some shedding but it depends on their blood-lines. Are 1 and 3 year old don't shedd as bad as the 12 year old. Also ,with a brittany you will run into problems with burrs ect. and as was stated before can be hyper. Whatever your choice do your research and check out some good breeders.Have fun and enjoy those puppy years.
 
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mxz_chris

New member
upbarleyboy said:
Not even married yet, and already she's got you where she wants you. You're setting the stage for a very long, no sense telling me what you want cuz' it doesn't matter, life. The way you handle things now will most certainly dictate the amount of fulfillment and equality you get out of your marriage. You still have a chance to change the course of the history of marital relationships. It's not too late-there's still time!! Do it for all those that have set the stage for this uneven playing field. Tell her what you want-heck....DEMAND IT!! Than run like **** backwards (this will allow you to see the items she is firing at you and dodge them as you make your exit), get in your vehicle, take a long ride, and think about what you just did. You just went where few men have ever dared venture before. Once she cools down (in about 6 hours), it will than be safe to make your way home. If she's truly the woman you believe she is, she will forgive you. In the end, she will get the dog she wanted (you don't need a hunting dog anyways-you're getting married--the days of pounding the fields are over). You may also end up with a black eye from one of the multitude of flying objects, and a bruised ego, but damn it you stood your ground. Fine job young man!!
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X2
 
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luv2sledd

New member
Hands down a LAB. I am on my second lab right now, actually a british lab this time. More hunter than house. My first lab, Oakley, was bred for obedience and the natural hunting instincts are always there to be tapped. My grandson would sit on her like riding a horse and she would only look up at me - pull on an ear or the tail- she would walk away. There is only one choice! There are supplements to aid in cutting down the shedding and grooming often can help minimize that as well.
 
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patk

New member
We have owned two Brittanys and currently have two German Shorthaired Pointers ages 2 and 6. The Brit's were better bird hunters for my husband. One Brit had a mind of it's own and the other was the most laid back dog either of us has ever owned. We had one of them in the house when she became older and had some health issues and we really did not have alot of shedding issues.
The German Shorthair Pointers are much more "hyper" than the Brittanys were. Great dogs, like to hunt and are very loyal and listen well. However, I would never have either of them in the house as they are each 55 lbs of pure adrenaline all the time.
 
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HIGHLANDER

Member
upbarleyboy said:
Not even married yet, and already she's got you where she wants you. You're setting the stage for a very long, no sense telling me what you want cuz' it doesn't matter, life. The way you handle things now will most certainly dictate the amount of fulfillment and equality you get out of your marriage. You still have a chance to change the course of the history of marital relationships. It's not too late-there's still time!! Do it for all those that have set the stage for this uneven playing field. Tell her what you want-heck....DEMAND IT!! Than run like **** backwards (this will allow you to see the items she is firing at you and dodge them as you make your exit), get in your vehicle, take a long ride, and think about what you just did. You just went where few men have ever dared venture before. Once she cools down (in about 6 hours), it will than be safe to make your way home. If she's truly the woman you believe she is, she will forgive you. In the end, she will get the dog she wanted (you don't need a hunting dog anyways-you're getting married--the days of pounding the fields are over). You may also end up with a black eye from one of the multitude of flying objects, and a bruised ego, but damn it you stood your ground. Fine job young man!!
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L.M.A.O!!! Couldnt of said it better!!!L.O.L!
 
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