dogs

recce43 · #1 07-20-2015, 12:40 PM

well most people know that I had a beagle duke .He is in heaven now

My wife figures we should get two dogs this fall . either rescue dogs or from a breeder
Iam just looking for some input on dogs that are good with kids and love the outdoors camping travelling and maybe one for hunting they don't have to be the same breed
thanks
Shawn

SportHuntingHelp · #2 07-20-2015, 12:43 PM

I would suggest a Lab I have a Chocolate one going on 11 years old. All things you listed are all the things this breed is known for.

goose · #3 07-20-2015, 12:45 PM

I agree that labs fit the family well. I have two of them and they are awesome and always wanting to please you.
Goose

stuckincity · #4 07-20-2015, 12:53 PM

If you love exercise, black Lab pup or German shepherd pup. (or one of each!)
You won't go wrong.

3blade · #5 07-20-2015, 12:56 PM

Condolences, he will be waiting for you.

2 dogs, man you are lucky.

Lab and brittany, or lab and gsp. Covers every hunting situation imaginable as long as you have time to train. and all are great with kids.

Deep · #6 07-20-2015, 01:00 PM

Take your time and check out rescue dogs- I have one, and what a great dog he is.

FishingMOM · #7 07-20-2015, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recce43

well most people know that I had a beagle duke .He is in heaven now

My wife figures we should get two dogs this fall . either rescue dogs or from a breeder
Iam just looking for some input on dogs that are good with kids and love the outdoors camping travelling and maybe one for hunting they don't have to be the same breed
thanks
Shawn

Sorry to hear about Duke, we had the please of meeting him that once.
We saw how much you loved that old pup.
He was very loyal to you and your family and I know how much you will miss him.

Good luck in your search for the new family members and I am sure you will find 2 great pups.

Selkirk · #8 07-20-2015, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deep

Take your time and check out rescue dogs- I have one, and what a great dog he is.

That ^

All my dogs have been rescue dogs ... and probably always will be. The last one that passed (a Golden/Lab) was a Great hunting dog!

Sorry for your loss, Recce.

Mac

wwbirds · #9 07-20-2015, 01:44 PM

Get one and then when first is trained get a second. Getting 2 at once is difficult as they tend to bond to each other and are not nearly as reliant on human companionship. Read tougher to train!

Newf · #10 07-20-2015, 02:21 PM

Have to agree with wwbirds. Get one, train and bond with it, then get the second.

But as for what kind of dog....can't go wrong with a lab.

alacringa · #11 07-20-2015, 02:40 PM

I would highly recommend a Britt. In addition to meeting all of your criteria, it will definitely get you out for a walk/run every day. I am, of course, completely unbiased

. If you happen to decide to get one, I can refer you to a great breeder.

Nova · #12 07-20-2015, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwbirds

Get one and then when first is trained get a second. Getting 2 at once is difficult as they tend to bond to each other and are not nearly as reliant on human companionship. Read tougher to train!

Very true. Search littermate syndrome. They don't even have to be actual littermates, the same concept will apply to any young (non-matured) dogs that are placed together. It can be managed. Separate aside from play time, train separately. Still more work trying to train two pups than one.

bubba 96 · #13 07-20-2015, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacLeod

That ^

All my dogs have been rescue dogs ... and probably always will be. The last one that passed (a Golden/Lab) was a Great hunting dog!

Sorry for your loss, Recce.

Mac

X2 with rescue pup, ours is now two and she is awesome, she's a muti breed, Shepard, lab, and what ever was on the reserve, check out the cochrane humane society, that's where ours came from, they have a website that you can view, we got ours at 6 weeks, her mom had the pups while in there...

http://www.cochranehumane.ca/adopt/dogs/

Pudelpointer · #14 07-20-2015, 06:15 PM

Not looking to start an argument, and I likely won't respond beyond this post, but here are my thoughts:

While you may be lucky and get a heathy, well balanced rescue dog, they are an unknown entity; will they have health issues (blindness, deafness, food allergies, skeletal issues)? Will they have temperment issues (either genetic or from previous owners)?

I have seen lots of great pound/rescue dogs, but I have also witnessed some disasters (including permanently scarred people).

There are always lots of people who say "you can't go wrong with a lab" or breed "X" without any further qualifications... well, if you have to put your 2, 3 or 5 year old dog down because it has hip displaysia, or have to fork over $3500 for ACL surgery, or a number of other all too common issues labs are plagued with, you might disagree.

Due to the "pet trade", not all "hunting breeds" hunt, and not all breeders are concerned with the general "health" of the dogs they produce. There are some great labs available from some great breeders, but there are many more from dogs that should NEVER be bred.

Yes, these are considerations for ALL breeds, that ALL owners should be concerned with, however, some breeds are more problematic.

IMO, a well bred pup should be physically healthy (conformation, eyes/ears, skin, skeletal, digestion) and psychologically sound.

Just some thoughts, and strictly my opinion.

u_cant_rope_the_wind · #15 07-20-2015, 08:59 PM

Chesapeake bay retriever
Golden Retriever
beagle
basset hound
springer spanial

roach · #16 07-20-2015, 09:12 PM

I would also have to vote for one dog until you are happy with the training and have made the connection.

CanuckShooter · #17 07-20-2015, 09:19 PM

Rotti cross is a good dog, and likely to find some of them in the shelters. If your wanting a bird dog, well some sort of lab is what most people would look for.

We have two shelter dogs, sharpei [spelling] and a sharpei/pit cross, just giving them a good home to live their days out as they were horribly abused.

wwbirds · #18 07-20-2015, 09:51 PM

There are all kinds of dogs in shelters that need good homes so if you wnat to provide a safe environment that is a great thing to do but,.....
If you have specific expectations of a dog, (such as hunting) do yourself a favor and buy from a reputable breeder.
Reputable means someone who is not in it for the money and actually care about the breed. They know and will be honest about the capabliliites and expectations you have for the dog.
If it is not registered do not settle for statements like in Kijiji that "hunting parents".
those simplified statements can mean anything from field trial champion to walked along beside a man with a gun once.
Saw 2 Kijiji labs this year for assessment and build, demeanor and retrieving instinct seemed weak. Cannot say if physical weakness caused lack of interest in retrieving but the back yard breeder assured them that "labs were all hunting dogs" Told them to save their training fees for aside from improving their obedience there was nothing I could do to get them to want to retrieve more. Better off spending the training fees on buying new pup from proven lines if you want a hunter. Also you will get a guarantee on health and performance from many reputable breeders.
You wont be able to find the Kijiji ad folks within a couple years when the problems start surfacing.

Skybuster · #19 07-21-2015, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwbirds

Get one and then when first is trained get a second. Getting 2 at once is difficult as they tend to bond to each other and are not nearly as reliant on human companionship. Read tougher to train!

This is very wise advice. I have two Chocolate labs, sisters. I got them the same days as pups. Now I admin I am not very good at training, but having the two of them really makes training difficult. I was warned that having two would make it difficult because they would bond with each other rather than with me. This certainly seems true. I have a very difficult time training. The only way I get any success is to completely remove them from each other geographically, but even then the training is difficult.

If you can get one and live/train him/her for at least a year, or better yet, two years and then get another, I think you will find they are bonded to you more and will listen better.

However if all you want are two fun, energetic, lovable dogs that love to play, can't go wrong with labs.

FishingMOM · #20 07-21-2015, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanuckShooter

Rotti cross is a good dog, and likely to find some of them in the shelters. If your wanting a bird dog, well some sort of lab is what most people would look for.

We have two shelter dogs, sharpei [spelling] and a sharpei/pit cross, just giving them a good home to live their days out as they were horribly abused.

We have an amazing Rotti breeder in our midst.
Not sure he is going to have more pups. But I am sure if you ask he will tell you.

EZM · #21 07-21-2015, 09:48 AM

We have two rescues ....

A female Retriever / ?? cross and a Black Lab / Collie Cross both love the water, outdoors and running around with the family and kids. I don't hunt with the dogs but the discipline, intelligence and instinct of both of these dogs would lead me to believe they would do very well.

The dogs get along very well - the Lab/Collie was adopted first and dominant as the female Retriever Cross was a puppy when she came into the house. She is bigger/stronger now but they remain compatible - He (Lab/Collie) is still dominant.

Having two dogs that are compatible is sometimes an issue. Because the Lab/Collie is a gentle soul (he's not a tyrannical dominant type) things work out good.

As far as where to get your dogs ....

If your dog is "tool" go to a elite breeder and take less of a risk in terms of health issues. You could spend thousands. And you will be likely very happy with your dog. Many breeders produce very good dogs. Trophy breeding, certified paperwork and plaques make some people happy but I don't think the dogs or the kids care. You could name your dog Pembleton the fourth but he will still lick his own .... you know what I mean.

If you are looking for a loyal family pet, and want to give a young dog a chance, a rescue is the way to go. I think allot of elitist snobs like to use "you don't know what you are getting into with a rescue" as another selling feature of paying for "superior genetics" and scare people into buying a pure bred dog over fears of medical costs.

So buy insurance when they are young ..... it's cheap ....

Both of my rescues have zero issues (my lab has some sensitivity to food but not severe) so we watch his diet. So far, years into these rescues - no genetically related health issues .....

I'm sure there are stories both ways - but a few people we know have rescues - and they have all been pretty fortunate.

I guess my advice is - get the dog that works for you and your family.

A rescue will be more loyal and endearing to you than any other dog you could ever breed. He/She will be thankful you gave him/her a chance and you will be rewarded for the rest of his/her days.

If you prefer a genetically superior dog who is guaranteed to hunt OR you like plaques and blue ribbons go with a breeder. I'm sure Pembleton will be a champion. I'm sure Pembleton is genetically superior to my dogs.

If you you enjoy a chuckle when your mutt decides he's tired of chasing the stick you keep throwing in the water and lays down to chew up the stick instead of bringing it back to you .... get a mutt. The way I look at it - why would a smart dog give you back the stick if you just keep throwing it in the water over and over and over again ..... it was fun the first 10 times .... but now I need a rest !!!!

I'm also sure Pembleton would keep chasing the stick ...... so my mutt might just be smarter.

recce43 · #22 07-21-2015, 10:02 AM

thanks for all the info guys .
My beagle was a great dog loyal and funny as hell he was mine till my son came around then duke and devil child ( Justin) where double trouble .
Iam leaning towards a rescue and hunting dog time will tell . I will be doing lots of research for sure . And I know I will be comparing them to Duke .
Thanks again
Shawn

wwbirds · #23 07-21-2015, 12:24 PM

members of this forum and the general public spend thousands of dollars on non registered dogs "as hunting dog prospects" every year.

Quote:

"you don't know what you are getting into with a rescue" as another selling feature of paying for "superior genetics" and scare people into buying a pure bred dog over fears of medical costs.

I cant criticize the ads I see here and elsewhere as my comment does nothing to advance the sale but on this thread I will tell you. Registered dogs are registered for a reason "predictable results" and there is nothing elitist about it. If I see a pedigree of 4 generations of field dogs with good eyes, hips and free from EIC, thyroid conditions etc I can tell you with some certainty with the proper care and training what you will have for a hunting dog in 2 years.
Unregistered and unproven dogs are a risk because you do not know the health history and retrieving drive and trainability in advance. Too often these backyard breeder dogs are not registered and tested for a reason and they pass those undesireable health and untrainable traits on to the new owners.
p.s. if you are throwing sticks repeatedly in the water for a hunting dog expect he will bring you sticks when you are hunting them. You trained it!

recce43 · #24 07-21-2015, 12:44 PM

I spent lots on my beagle he was registered from a good breeder .
so I might get one hunting dog and one mutt

Newf · #25 07-21-2015, 01:13 PM

Registered pups doesn't necessarily mean your getting a good dog either. My chocolate lab has registration papers, and a pedigree available through the CKC. But he was a "deal" on kijiji. The breeder assured me of hunting abilities, and health. 5 years later, he can or I should say could hunt, but I've spent a ton of money on him with health issues and he is now retired to the couch. Initially when we were trying to diagnose the issues I tried to get hold of the breeder to at least see if there were any history of allergies etc in her lines. Phone calls, messages & emails went unanswered. So much for the kijiji deal I guess.

The real trick is to buy a pup for a REPUTABLE breeder. Can't stress that enough! While you may still get a dog with health issues, (genetics are somewhat of a gamble) you are at least stacking the odds in your favor of a healthy dog with known genetics. A good breeder with have health checks, references, pedigrees, and lifetime support. Might cost a little more upfront, but it can pay dividends long term.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwbirds

members of this forum and the general public spend thousands of dollars on non registered dogs "as hunting dog prospects" every year.

I cant criticize the ads I see here and elsewhere as my comment does nothing to advance the sale but on this thread I will tell you. Registered dogs are registered for a reason "predictable results" and there is nothing elitist about it. If I see a pedigree of 4 generations of field dogs with good eyes, hips and free from EIC, thyroid conditions etc I can tell you with some certainty with the proper care and training what you will have for a hunting dog in 2 years.
Unregistered and unproven dogs are a risk because you do not know the health history and retrieving drive and trainability in advance. Too often these backyard breeder dogs are not registered and tested for a reason and they pass those undesireable health and untrainable traits on to the new owners.
p.s. if you are throwing sticks repeatedly in the water for a hunting dog expect he will bring you sticks when you are hunting them. You trained it!

wwbirds · #26 07-21-2015, 02:30 PM

Yes your chocolate dog was registered but as a first time buyer did you know to study the pedigree for field accomplishments, did you ask the right health questions and see the test results. Kijiji breeders only thrive because first time buyers do not know that there are companion/pet, hunting and field lines of labs and they can pawn off the bare minimum to an uneducated buyer.
Because it looks like a lab doesnt mean it is going to hunt and be healthy.