Looking for a hunting buddy

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RiverRatMatt

RiverRatMatt

Joined
Feb 23, 2011
Threads
114
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558
Location
Boise, ID
I've always had German Shepherds, and my parents have two pups that are about 1.5 years old.

I don't live with them anymore and I'm looking for a dog of my own. The best way to describe what I'm looking for in a breed is a companion that will be with me during all my outdoor activities.

Any suggestions? Aside from specific breeds, what about traits to look for in general? The pup will likely be from the Humane Society, rather than a fresh new puppy.
 
What he said ^
 
just a companion?

I'd say any old dog that's at least knee high and doesn't have long fur.
 
As soon as hunting season is over, a lot of people dump hunting breeds. Start looking now.
 
My only quam with getting a lab from the pound is that it probably is not from great hunting stock. My personal thought is why would someone drop off a 700-2000 dollar dog at the end of hunting season. If you buy from a good breeder that certifies eyes and hips you will get many years of love from your healthy pooch plus if you buy from a good breeder that has grand hunting champions then your dog will be very birdy from the get go. Just my 02 cents
 
packetstormin said:
My only quam with getting a lab from the pound is that it probably is not from great hunting stock. My personal thought is why would someone drop off a 700-2000 dollar dog at the end of hunting season. If you buy from a good breeder that certifies eyes and hips you will get many years of love from your healthy pooch plus if you buy from a good breeder that has grand hunting champions then your dog will be very birdy from the get go. Just my 02 cents
Click to expand...

May sound like a dumb question, but how do I find a 'good breeder'?

I too am looking for a good buddy. A dog whom I can train to be a a) be a good shop dog, b) hang out with me while I'm fishing at the lake, c) be a great dog on the trail, and d) come along to help on some upland game hunts.

My thought is to find a german shorthaired pointer or brittany between .5-6 years old. I know its rare to find this dog at the pound, so I search Craigslist. And Craigslist is sparse. While I wouldn't mind spending 1k on a pure bread dog, I'd like a healthy dog with good genetics, so I have been looking at a mix-breed.

What would your suggestion be to find the right dog?
 
They are right about hunting dogs getting dumped at the pound. Its pretty sad.

I'll keep lab in mind, I'll mainly be looking for a mixed breed because even from a certified, quality breeder, a pure breed dog has a high chance of very serious issues. Our last shepherd died at age 6 due to cancer, and she was a $1500 pup from a great breeder in Cali.
 
GRM said:
While I wouldn't mind spending 1k on a pure bread dog, I'd like a healthy dog with good genetics, so I have been looking at a mix-breed.

What would your suggestion be to find the right dog?
Click to expand...

This one is perfect.
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It depends on what your outdoor activities are. If it's flushing and shooting birds, get a lab. If it's walking around thinking about the kind of stupid s*** you write in this forum, get an Australian Blue Heeler. That way, at least one of you will know how to get back to the truck.
 
Atticus said:
It depends on what your outdoor activities are. If it's flushing and shooting birds, get a lab. If it's walking around thinking about the kind of stupid s*** you write in this forum, get an Australian Blue Heeler. That way, at least one of you will know how to get back to the truck.
Click to expand...

Excellent :D
 
If you are looking to do upland hunting with your lab then a pointing lab is the way to go. You probably could get pick one up for around $600. Everyone needs to go by their own experiences when purchasing dogs. My family had pure breed Wolf Hounds and they all eventually came down with bone cancer. I don't think any of our Wolf Hounds lived past 8 years of age. We had a half Wolf Hound half Dane mix that lived to be 12. I had a pure breed Lhasa that lived to be 14 or 15. My lab was from great hunting stock and pure breed and she lived to be 11 eventually succumbing to heart failure. Vet told me it was one of the oldest hunting labs he had ever seen.
 
wob said:
just a companion?

I'd say any old dog that's at least knee high and doesn't have long fur.
Click to expand...

X2 my buddy who kills more s*** than a pioneer on a covered wagon owns a mutt he found it the woods.

PHBeerman said:
As soon as hunting season is over, a lot of people dump hunting breeds. Start looking now.
Click to expand...

which is better than the other half who just lock them in a backyard cage for 9 months.


GRM said:
May sound like a dumb question, but how do I find a 'good breeder'?

I too am looking for a good buddy. A dog whom I can train to be a a) be a good shop dog, b) hang out with me while I'm fishing at the lake, c) be a great dog on the trail, and d) come along to help on some upland game hunts.

My thought is to find a german shorthaired pointer or brittany between .5-6 years old. I know its rare to find this dog at the pound, so I search Craigslist. And Craigslist is sparse. While I wouldn't mind spending 1k on a pure bread dog, I'd like a healthy dog with good genetics, so I have been looking at a mix-breed.

What would your suggestion be to find the right dog?
Click to expand...

there are "rescues" set up for specific breeds, track one down on your area or a lot of times they will ship them pretty cheap.






... labs are great but fxxxing stupid my AKC, half show dog half master hunter is hella birdy and a real sweetheart but she has cost me over 10k in vet bills (outside of buying her and chow and standard s***) in the 6 years I've owned her, eats socks, undies, rags, tears ACLs I love that bitch but if you don't have the bankroll to throw at a dog, go get a pound pup, if it gets sick then you can just get another one for free, seriously.
 
GRM said:
May sound like a dumb question, but how do I find a 'good breeder'?

I too am looking for a good buddy. A dog whom I can train to be a a) be a good shop dog, b) hang out with me while I'm fishing at the lake, c) be a great dog on the trail, and d) come along to help on some upland game hunts.

My thought is to find a german shorthaired pointer or brittany between .5-6 years old. I know its rare to find this dog at the pound, so I search Craigslist. And Craigslist is sparse. While I wouldn't mind spending 1k on a pure bread dog, I'd like a healthy dog with good genetics, so I have been looking at a mix-breed.

What would your suggestion be to find the right dog?
Click to expand...

Check with the AKC or CKC I didn't check where you lived. A good breeder is someone who keeps their dogs in their home and treat them like family, and sometimes pets. Finding an older responsible dog is quite easy, sometimes there are family tragedies looking to relocate great dogs. Sometimes a dog is past breeding age, spayed or neutered and the breeder is looking for a new home. You've already answered your own question in the second and third paragraphs. You seem to know what breed interests you, then do research, buy a book about that specific personality and traits of the dogs you are interested in. Call and email breeders, tell them what you are looking for. If you get a good feeling about the anwers you are getting, then ask to come by and see their dogs. If they won't meet you at their house, then run away, FAST! Probably a puppy mill and not breeding for a pet. You want to see the parents, at least one of them, see that particular dogs personality. Even all dogs of one breed aren't of the same personality, and lets face it, you're getting another personality you have to live with. I call them little 'Fur People' for a reason.
I can't help you find a breeder specifically, but go to a good book store and read a few books. Dog people love to write books, and there are alot of good ones out there. Anyways, if you want more OMHO, let me know. I'm a dog person, got a few, all sizes.
 
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