Agreed, but a Cheesie can be somewhat hard headed every now and then, a nice little lab might be easier for someone with less experience training a bird dog for the first time.Quote:
Originally Posted by yellow dog
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Agreed, but a Cheesie can be somewhat hard headed every now and then, a nice little lab might be easier for someone with less experience training a bird dog for the first time.Quote:
Originally Posted by yellow dog
I have hunted with a really nice well behaved Chessie out of good breeding. My point is an extreme weather duck dog should also have the coat to go with it not just the water vest. Since my labs have always been house pets i would not risk putting them in an extreme weather duck hunt unless they had an outside dog coat.Quote:
Originally Posted by stilchen67
Well I guess I will pipe in here for Goldens. Yes their hair is a little longer, but not much if you are getting a working dog. Working goldens hair will be 2-4" compared to short hair breeds of 1-2". it doesn't make much difference when you are vacuuming. Goldens also have an excellent nose which comes from the blood hound that went into the making of the breed. I can't speak for anyone else's goldens but cold weather and cold water have no effect on them. I have seen mine in swimming in Dec or Feb and in the spring before all the ice is gone. Goldens are great family dogs as well.
deb
I have had 2 goldens and yes they are a fantastic family pet and have fond memories of my children climbing all over them. I DO NOT MISS ALL THE DOG HAIR !!! Never again .
Who doesn't like a challenge??? I have a Britt no papers, got lucky...he's VERY smart(hard headed). Can't use for late waterfowl tho. I would go with the PP. Good luckQuote:
Originally Posted by stilchen67
If my grandfather read this, he'd smack me and tell me a golden retriever lol it's all he had and hunted with from what my dad tells me (passed in '67) my uncle owns three and are not gun dogs but he has them trained to the nine. They'll go to the fridge and get him a beer for a scratch on the ribs!
This is great information, for me, time is not an issue spending it with the dog. I live 10 minutes from work and come home for lunch, I live near the Seaton trail and am out walking and fishing on a daily/weekly basis. I'm a member of the OFAH and the Ganaraska, I'm in the forest almost every weekend. Finances are there, it's just ensuring that my fiancée is pleased, but I agree what had been mentioned, whatever is brought home will eventually be loved as a family member no matter what.
I must say, the thought of a lab has began to intrigue me and will still do more research on that. I think my next step is to visit the breeders, even bring my fiancée along so it's not just a report she is getting.
Again, I appreciate all the input, it helps! If anyone knows of good trainers for gun dogs, let me know as this is something I have also included in my finances and feel it is important!
Thanks,
W
You could also visit some of the retriever clubs training/picnic days and see most of the breeds first hand.
deb
Good suggestion Deb!Quote:
Originally Posted by Longgun
In fact plan to attend a licensed field trial here in Ontario and see for yourself. I can tell you if there were 60 dogs entered, there would hardly be a chessie there....likely none. There might be a golden or two or three there and the rest will be labs. The labs will consist of mostly black followed by yellows and almost no chocolates. Tollers....you can forget seeing them...they are so few and far between.
Remember to keep in mind just because very few of the other working breeds may not be represented in large numbers at a licensed field trial doesn't make them any less capable. It has to fit your criteria and family life style.
I think you're on a slippery slope with that comment. If they were able and capable, then there is a likelihood that we would see an increase in numbers representative of their breed. I would not expect those numbers to be on par with Labradors but perhaps a few more.
We have some very nice goldens that you will see butI do not know of a FC Chessie in Canada and know for sure there is not a FC Ducktoller in Canada. One could always hope that we would see more of these just to broaden the competition and broaden the general level of retrievers.