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Post by nhmountains on Feb 21, 2021 22:25:21 GMT -6
I had beagles growing up. I spent seven -20 days in the woods rabbit hunting and loved it. I haven’t had dogs since. I also coon hunted with some older gentlemen growing up and spent many late nights out in the dark woods going to trees hounds. We put on lots of miles in the woods and corn fields.
I don’t have the time to properly devote to dogs now. Nearing retirement in the future I don’t think I want to be tied to a dog then either. I know I’m missing out on them being a good loyal friend but, I see the heartache you guys go through when they get sick or pass and don’t want to go through that. I want to be able to take off and head somewhere and not have to deal with a sitter, kennel, or taking them along.
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Post by Catscratch on Feb 22, 2021 6:57:25 GMT -6
I had beagles growing up. I spent seven -20 days in the woods rabbit hunting and loved it. I haven’t had dogs since. I also coon hunted with some older gentlemen growing up and spent many late nights out in the dark woods going to trees hounds. We put on lots of miles in the woods and corn fields. I don’t have the time to properly devote to dogs now. Nearing retirement in the future I don’t think I want to be tied to a dog then either. I know I’m missing out on them being a good loyal friend but, I see the heartache you guys go through when they get sick or pass and don’t want to go through that. I want to be able to take off and head somewhere and not have to deal with a sitter, kennel, or taking them along. I'm with you on a lot of those fronts NH. We often aren't home in the daylight during the winter, which means the dog won't get a whole lot of attention other than a quick run around the yard on a lot of weekdays. Weekends are different, usually more time to devote. We also travel quite a bit for sports. Mostly nothing more than a couple of days at a time, but we may be gone most weekends this summer. The wife's mom has been a huge help. She is very willing to check on the animals while we are gone. I'm actually torn on it, but I think it's important for the kids to have a dog. To be honest I selfishly like having one around when I'm out tinkering (which is quite a bit in the summer). If we get one it won't be for a couple of months so that we will have time to raise it as a young pup. Too busy right now.
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Post by Sandbur on Feb 22, 2021 11:04:10 GMT -6
My best dog was 3/4 lab and 1/4 shorthair. Great hunter.
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Post by daydreamer on Feb 22, 2021 11:28:39 GMT -6
Funny story. My kids (namely the oldest at age 11) just put together a 22 page powerpoint presentation on why and what breed of dog we should get. I've been staunchly against getting a dog. They can't pick up after themselves much less a dog. I don't want to get angry at them or at the dog.
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Post by benmnwi on Feb 22, 2021 13:22:37 GMT -6
I'm 41 and on my 3rd Golden Retriever. They are great all around dogs that are good for both upland and waterfowl. Having said that, I think labs are more natural duck dogs than golden retrievers so if ducks are the priority a lab would be tough to beat. My golden retriever retrieves the ducks I kill, but she wouldn't win any style points for the retrieves because it is clear she doesn't like the taste of them.
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Post by biglakebass on Feb 22, 2021 13:29:13 GMT -6
I'm 41 and on my 3rd Golden Retriever. They are great all around dogs that are good for both upland and waterfowl. Having said that, I think labs are more natural duck dogs than golden retrievers so if ducks are the priority a lab would be tough to beat. My golden retriever retrieves the ducks I kill, but she wouldn't win any style points for the retrieves because it is clear she doesn't like the taste of them. My white lab will NOT pick up a duck. End of story!!!!!!!!! its got to be the only thing on the planet she wont carry around.
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Post by chummer16 on Feb 22, 2021 16:44:35 GMT -6
I asked this same question on qdma about 7 years ago. Got a lot of responses and ended up getting a wired hair pointing Griffin. We got another one this year. It is perfect for everything on your list. Added bonus is they don't shed. My oldest even blood tracks deer. They are supper smart and great with the family. The oldest sleeps in our bed the new guy sleeps with my daughter. Best breed I have ever been around and you can't tire them out in the woods. They will hunt until you to tell them to stop.
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Post by Catscratch on Feb 22, 2021 17:41:47 GMT -6
I asked this same question on qdma about 7 years ago. Got a lot of responses and ended up getting a wired hair pointing Griffin. We got another one this year. It is perfect for everything on your list. Added bonus is they don't shed. My oldest even blood tracks deer. They are supper smart and great with the family. The oldest sleeps in our bed the new guy sleeps with my daughter. Best breed I have ever been around and you can't tire them out in the woods. They will hunt until you to tell them to stop. Holy crap Chummer, the Wirehaired Griffon is on my short list (Standard Poodle, Pudelpointer, Wirehaired Vizsla, and German Wirehaired Pointer). Problem is I'm having trouble finding dogs near me. How did you come across yours?
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Post by wiscwhip on Feb 22, 2021 19:22:06 GMT -6
When I was a kid living at home, we had a purebred English Springer Spaniel. That dog would hunt anything, in any environment. Grouse, pheasant, woodcock, ducks, geese, you name it. Upland woods, picked or unpicked corn/soybean fields, jump hunting creeks and ponds, and even big water retrieves. He even taught himself to retrieve geese without stepping on the wings and tripping himself (he was the largest puppy in his litter and he was well above average size as an adult). Best grouse dog I've ever hunted over and one of the top 2 or 3 pheasant dogs as well (and that includes a multitude of GSP, GWP, English Setters and lots of other breeds over the years). Super affectionate and eager to please, almost to a fault. He was great in the water, but larger geese were a bit of a challenge in choppy water. He could be dead asleep on the other end of the house and the minute you would rack the action of a pump shotgun, that dog would literally fly across the house and stare at you until you left the house or put the gun back in the cabinet. RIP, Moose! You were the best!
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Post by chummer16 on Feb 22, 2021 19:54:07 GMT -6
I asked this same question on qdma about 7 years ago. Got a lot of responses and ended up getting a wired hair pointing Griffin. We got another one this year. It is perfect for everything on your list. Added bonus is they don't shed. My oldest even blood tracks deer. They are supper smart and great with the family. The oldest sleeps in our bed the new guy sleeps with my daughter. Best breed I have ever been around and you can't tire them out in the woods. They will hunt until you to tell them to stop. Holy crap Chummer, the Wirehaired Griffon is on my short list (Standard Poodle, Pudelpointer, Wirehaired Vizsla, and German Wirehaired Pointer). Problem is I'm having trouble finding dogs near me. How did you come across yours? My runner up was the vizsla. Mine both came from a breeder in Michigan. They are actually related. Most of the breeders are in midwest. There are a few in SD. They are pretty tight on the breeding. Another great thing is there is nothing like hip displaysa in the breed.
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Post by chummer16 on Feb 22, 2021 20:00:32 GMT -6
The other thing I like is they are called close hunters. You can not loose them in the woods. They always know where you are. I have tried to hide when they aren't looking and as soon as they realize they can't see you they back track until they find you. It is pretty neat. I don't actually hunt them but the old one has come pretty close to catching partridge and turkeys. She will point the partridge but turkeys is an all out sprint. She damn near catches them when they have a 50 yard head start. New guy hasn't gotten woods time yet but he points everything in back yard and his nose is always working.
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Post by Catscratch on Feb 23, 2021 14:56:27 GMT -6
Those Springer Spanials and Goldens both sound good too. I'm having a hard time sorting through adds and finding much of a selection. I would be ok with a cross, but I'm pretty certain I want something that doesn't shed.
Chummer, your GWG sounds better every time you post. I really don't like a wide ranging dog, prefer them to be close.
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Post by chummer16 on Feb 23, 2021 16:28:28 GMT -6
Those Springer Spanials and Goldens both sound good too. I'm having a hard time sorting through adds and finding much of a selection. I would be ok with a cross, but I'm pretty certain I want something that doesn't shed. Chummer, your GWG sounds better every time you post. I really don't like a wide ranging dog, prefer them to be close. It is fascinating to watch. It is bred into them. My dogs as a kid would bust loose and you wouldn’t see them for hours.
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Post by jbird on Feb 23, 2021 21:22:20 GMT -6
If you want a pet....get a mutt. Give a dog in need a good home. If you want a working dog...get one of the breeds that are specifically suited for that task. Instincts bred into an animal make their training far easier.
We have pets...all have been mutts...smartest dog I have ever had was a black lab/red healer mix. She came from a rescue/shelter.
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Post by Catscratch on Feb 23, 2021 21:44:06 GMT -6
I considered a rescue dog or a regular old mutt. I do want a dog that will hunt, retrieve, and play in the water though. The last one did none of that, she just hung out and was lovable. 10-15 years is a long time investment for an animal that might not have the instincts.
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