Flat-coat Retriever ???

[yellow dog]

I haven't read any book on the flat coat , but maybe Cass has read a great book! Any pheasant found Saturday? Did you go where I suggested?

I went Sunday with my brother and flushed one. I missed and my brother forgot to take his safety off. My springer had a great time . And yes I did go where you suggested and that was the area Elly flushed a rooster.

[Sharon]

Wow, this thread has over 1,200 views and 50+ posts. I truly appreciate all the advice that so many of you have taken the time to share. Now it seems that sarcasm is starting to creep in .... that is too bad because for so long all the input was helpful and contributed positively to the question at hand. I have learned a great deal, and now realize just how naive I was. I am wiser and now ready to move on and begin a more focused study of the breed that will be right for me, and I thank you all for helping me. I hope that no hard feelings have arisen from this discussion.

Not to worry. I know Vince ; he's just poking at me for fun. Actually Vince and I haven't had a good fight in a long time.

trkyhntr21 asks excellent questions and is very knowledgeable . Always enjoy bantering with him.

Glad we've all been helpful; let us know what you decide. Enjoy the search.

[Sharon]

I went Sunday with my brother and flushed one. I missed and my brother forgot to take his safety off. My springer had a great time . And yes I did go where you suggested and that was the area Elly flushed a rooster.

That'll be $50.00 please.

[yellow dog]

Cheque is in the mail

[krakadawn]

Not only are many books poorly written but hardly a fair description of certain breeds and their capabilities. One just has to tune in to any of the 'large' dog shows and listen to the announcer rhyme off a long litany of inaccuracies. Take your pick, this exists in many sporting breed perspectives.
Just a couple of comments from many years experience,
-I'd rather have a dog with too much 'go' than one who won't go when things get tough
-field trial lines have the best chance of getting drive and health
-high drive and lack of control are not necessarily causal in relationship
-labs dominate the trial/hunt test world, followed by a few goldens, almost no chessies and virtually no flat or curly coats. There is a causal relationship for this.

Selecting your new partner takes research, time and work. If the visual presentation is what rules your world then make your call. Personally I want the smartest ,trainable, loyal, hard driving animal I can get. I want keen eyes, high prey drive and strong memory as well. If you are after these qualities then pedigrees that have produced the same are where it's at. You will not find these qualities on a regular basis with breeders or breeds who are limited in those qualities.

[yellow dog]

NorthernGrouse all you had to do was ask krakadawn.

[welsh]

If I may add 2 cents, it strikes me that you'd be well served by a Lab. They don't all have to be 80 lb dogs. If you look for a breeder producing smaller dogs you might be very happy with the result.

[Sharon]

"field trial lines have the best chance of getting drive and health" quote Krakadawn

Not convinced. Have to think on that.

Best ? Hmmm

For me drive and health can also be found in a breeding from a good hunt test pedigree.

What separates a good test dog (FDX) from a field trial winner is range not drive or health.

PS Realize these posts are off the OPs topic but he has said that he has the info he needs now.

Read this the other day which gave me lots to think on:

A fellow was asked how he would decide whether a young dog would be kept for trialing etc ..

............some of what it will take I can already see like (in no particular order),brains, nose and desire to find birds, endurance, nice gait, good skeleton(with balance), boldness/courage, high tail, good hearing, good eyesight,calmness (un-excitable) yet energetic, eager to please, etc.........What I hopeto see is power, speed, unrelenting drive to hunt and locate birds, extremeendurance (lots of bottom), bird sense, toughness under any circumstance, GUTS,grace, feminine features, disease free....and more. quote SCT

[yellow dog]

If I may add 2 cents, it strikes me that you'd be well served by a Lab. They don't all have to be 80 lb dogs. If you look for a breeder producing smaller dogs you might be very happy with the result.

I could see that right from the beginning of the thread Andrew. I prefer a rare breed like the one i have and wouldn't change a thing. I did at least 1 year in researched probably longer and already had a small 55lb Lab. Would I get another Lab, possibly many years down the road. I wished i had gotten a spaniel much earlier in life and feel i missed out on an amazing breed. She's been an awesome addition to the family and an incredible little hunting dog .

[3 black dogs]

When did a springer become a "Rare breed" great dog to the ocassional hunter by that I mean someone who goes out 3-4 times a year I hope the op finds the dog he is looking for no matter what breed he chooses. Every one knows I am partial to a well breed field lab I hunt right till freeze up so I have the dog that has the go to be there with me. When you choose the breed that is right for you the training is the important part you get out what you put in.

Chris