Potential new pup advice

Long story short, we had to put our family Golden down on Canada day, she was 14 and lived a great life.

I've been heavily into hunting over the last 6 years, and i wouldn't mind a solid field companion + home pup. Have a small fenced in yard and live with my GF. We lead a fairly active life style (above average) and aren't afraid to up our game (within reason) to keep a pup happy.

Hunting wise, due to my job i'm restricted to weekend warrior status but i usually hit it hard 4-6hrs on sat/sun. Hunting with the pup would mostly be waterfowl and grouse. Not looking to win any field competitions but willing to put in the effort to train it to suit my needs.

Our family had 2 goldens growing up so it's hard to get away from them knowing how sweet they are (1st one came from a hunting line, last one was one and done with fetch) but am looking for any and all advice seeing as this will be the first dog i hunt with.

Right now my obvious choices are Golden or Lab but i'm very intrigued by GWPs and have read good things thus far.

I have had a number of labs and are partial to them, do as much research on the breeder as you do on the breed as not all are equal. With varying levels of independence and energy you will need to find the balance which is right for you. One of my labs came from an obedience line and while very suited for the home it did not do well in the field, another came from a field line and was very high energy causing issues at home when not working. You can ask the breeder if you can do some testing before you take the dog, if the breeder will not work with you to select the right dog I suggest you keep looking for another breeder, in my experience the best breeders will work with the prospective owners.

No one can tell you what breed suits you best. Quite honestly if you have not hunted over the various styles you do not know what suits you best.
Bit late in the season but I would suggest taking a little time and see if you can see how each dog works for you. Pointer, Flusher, retriever there are a various breeds that excel at various disciplines and character that it makes it impossible to say which one fits your bill.

ok good advice guys, thanks. i'll keep my research going

I think it's basically impossible to find hunting golden.
GWP is a very very different dog.
As said you have to decide on a pointing vs flushing dog for upland, but depending on where you live you not going to get much action on grouse.
Flat coated retrievers are good hunting dogs (from the right lines). Obviously labs, just don't get a chocolate one, they're all nuts (sort off).
Try to go into the field with different dogs, that's a good advice. But remember, you will spend much more time with that dog NOT hunting, it's important how you like it overall and how it behaves etc. If you have any questions about Munsterlanders, feel free to PM.

Out of the breeds that you are considering I personally would go with the GWP. I love seeing a dog go on point and no matter how many times I see it it never gets old. They are also excellent retrievers on land or water and will also track down wounded game and bring them to bag. Lots of other versatile pointers to look at as well.

parkcity:

Someone to consider:

edited do to new info


Vom Burdock Drahthaars
Quality Drahthaar pups,VDD certified,tested.
Breeds: Deutsch Drahthaar, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Dogs cleared for: Elbows, Blood Disorders, Hips
Members of / Registered with: North American Versatile Hunting Dog Assocication, VDD Group Canada
Services we offer: Dam/Stud Services, Training
Litters/yr: 1
We breed for: The Field/Hunting, Conformation, Tracking
Will Ship: Local Pickup, Regional Shipping, Domestic Shipping

personally I lean towards yellow labs. the one in my avatar was an amazing water retriever and he loved flushing pheasants and rabbits. My new one who is almost 2 years now, hates water, and guns, but retrieves anything you want brought back including ducks, but where she excels, is tracking wound deer and a perfect family pet.
So as said by others, hunting is only as you said about 12 hours a week, the rest is spent doing other things. whats the perfect dog, really good question. you will need to train this new dog a lot more than you actually hunt at least in my experience. remember some breeds need a lot of attention or they will find something to do and you may not like what they choose.

The dog you end up with has alot to do with how serious you are about training. That being said You listed breeds on opposite ends of the spectrum,
Goldens are far different from GWP yeah they both retrieve but that's about where the similarities end. Stuff that Goldens get up to can be different then GWP or DD it's not a bad thing just if all you want is a dog to retrieve some birds but not a stray cat or track a deer or run rabbits then you will need to be prepared because the German dogs have that bred into them. Then it's better to just get a lab or a golden.
Being an active person helps but it doesn't really mean as much as people think ,what matters more is being committed to training and exposure to situations and people and it has to be everyone involved in the house with the day to day things as well.


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Originally Posted by vom Dufenshmirtz

I think it's basically impossible to find hunting golden.
GWP is a very very different dog.
As said you have to decide on a pointing vs flushing dog for upland, but depending on where you live you not going to get much action on grouse.
Flat coated retrievers are good hunting dogs (from the right lines). Obviously labs, just don't get a chocolate one, they're all nuts (sort off).
Try to go into the field with different dogs, that's a good advice. But remember, you will spend much more time with that dog NOT hunting, it's important how you like it overall and how it behaves etc. If you have any questions about Munsterlanders, feel free to PM.

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Um....what?

Golden litter from working lines expected shortly in the Hamilton area. I can name four golden breeders without having to think about it that have hunting lines and they would be able to point you in the direction of many golden breeders whose lines also hunt.

This house has had chocolates since 1985, all have been hunting dogs as well as titled obedience and field dogs

With all possible respect intended, mayyyybe just comment on breeds you're very familiar with?

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Originally Posted by vom Dufenshmirtz

I think it's basically impossible to find hunting golden.
GWP is a very very different dog.
As said you have to decide on a pointing vs flushing dog for upland, but depending on where you live you not going to get much action on grouse.
Flat coated retrievers are good hunting dogs (from the right lines). Obviously labs, just don't get a chocolate one, they're all nuts (sort off).
Try to go into the field with different dogs, that's a good advice. But remember, you will spend much more time with that dog NOT hunting, it's important how you like it overall and how it behaves etc. If you have any questions about Munsterlanders, feel free to PM.

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Along with being in agreement with Burly Girl's comments about both Goldens and Chocolate labs being capable field dogs ..... I would like to know what field lines of flat-coated retrievers you speak of because THOSE are like finding chicken teeth!!!

Attachment 42821

2019 Canadian National Master hunt, after a week straight of competition

And an up-and-come'r who is worth mentioning

Attachment 42822

Attachment 42823

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Originally Posted by Dakota Creek

Along with being in agreement with Burly Girl's comments about both Goldens and Chocolate labs being capable field dogs ..... I would like to know what field lines of flat-coated retrievers you speak of because THOSE are like finding chicken teeth!!!

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You know, there is that fella from British Columbia that judged the Master National and he bred flatties. However, the ones from hunting lines that will work absolutely are few and far between.

Beautiful pictures of that dog River. Thanks. :)

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Originally Posted by Sharon

Beautiful pictures of that dog River. Thanks. :)

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She's a nice dog. I've judged her in Working Certificate Excellent and in Senior Hunter. I like me some muddy blonde girls

hard enough to get the mud out of my yellow lab, can't image a long hair retriever.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...704ccf2365.jpg
Someone mention mud

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Originally Posted by parkcity

Long story short, we had to put our family Golden down on Canada day, she was 14 and lived a great life.

I've been heavily into hunting over the last 6 years, and i wouldn't mind a solid field companion + home pup. Have a small fenced in yard and live with my GF. We lead a fairly active life style (above average) and aren't afraid to up our game (within reason) to keep a pup happy.

Hunting wise, due to my job i'm restricted to weekend warrior status but i usually hit it hard 4-6hrs on sat/sun. Hunting with the pup would mostly be waterfowl and grouse. Not looking to win any field competitions but willing to put in the effort to train it to suit my needs.

Our family had 2 goldens growing up so it's hard to get away from them knowing how sweet they are (1st one came from a hunting line, last one was one and done with fetch) but am looking for any and all advice seeing as this will be the first dog i hunt with.

Right now my obvious choices are Golden or Lab but i'm very intrigued by GWPs and have read good things thus far.

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Sorry about your Golden, Park. We lost our lab around the same time. We initially thought we would surely be getting another lab, but our journey has been winding and has taken us toward a setter. Given the types of hunting you've described, as well as your lifestyle, there might just be a lab in your future. Waterfowl is obvious, but a close working lab makes a fine grouse dog. There is so much in this video that I can relate to with my last dog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLaWDy4y8CE.

Speaking from experience, be prepared to raise your budget. Hunting dogs in general cost $500-$1000 more than they did a year ago, and popular breeds like labs seem to have been affected the most in the current market. Take your time, ask lots of questions, and be absolutely sure that the sire, dam and their owners actually hunt (as opposed to dogs said to have hunting or FT somewhere in their past lineage). If at all possible, meet the sire and dam and their owners. You'll learn more in a 30 minute meeting than you ever will over texts and phone calls. You're going to get lots of advice from all kinds of sources, and some of it will be confusing or even contradictory. However, at some point you'll find that your thoughts will keep going back to a particular breed and ultimately back to a particular breeder. Go with your gut. Good luck and enjoy the adventure!

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Originally Posted by js4fn

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...704ccf2365.jpg
Someone mention mud

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Mud you say…..Attachment 42824

Yup everybody knows happiness is a muddy dog
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2005977e_z.jpg[url=https://flic.kr/p/2kHQqH2]

All those muddy dogs sure look happy. :) That's why we have a cold/hot faucet outside.