Looking for a Dog

**goldmember** · 07-18-2008, 09:40 AM

I have a lab, and they are a great dog. Smart, easy to train, great with kids and people, rarely bark, and are excellent hunters.......If you're worried about the size look at the parents, and it will at least give you an idea. My lab is about 65lbs.

**cytech** · 07-18-2008, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

I really like shorthairs too, but my wife really likes the ears on the brittany and setter (I beleive she called them fuzzy ears) so I am trying to compromise. We are also hoping to take the dog out jogging and stuff, so not too worried about the energy...

How are the Yorkies at retrieving pheasent?

jk

I don't know about the ears thing when I was growing up with shorthairs my mom always joked about turning my dogs ears into a purse because they were so soft and smooth.

**Cy Hard** · 07-18-2008, 10:09 AM

My family has had both at one point. They're both great dogs for the family. As far as the hunting, training any dog is the key. That being said I've got a 100 lbs black lab/golden retreiver mix that's great with our kids, my wife's cats, and everything else.

**scottie33** · 07-18-2008, 10:34 AM

I just got a brittney/black lab mix last friday and he's only ten weeks old. he is very intelligent at such a young age. he is in that puppy mode where he likes to chew on things and the moment I say no he stops whatever he's doing and lays down. he likes to whine a lot when I put him in his kennel but he's not quite potty trained enough to have him out overnight. the people who we got him through saidboth the britt and lab were awesome hunters and great dogs in general...it shows already. he is balck in color and has the lab look and coat
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**CyGuy33** · 07-18-2008, 10:37 AM

The Brittneys are great for hunting. A friend a shoot birds with has one and it does a great job. Can't compete with my labs but that's another story and pride plays a roll in that.

**h-man64** · 07-18-2008, 10:41 AM

The Brittany is a good choice. I don't know much about the English Setter other than that they are a very handsome dog.

I went through the same decision as you and ended up with a Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla. The breed is very affectionate, clean, light shedders, not prolific barkers, and not extremely far ranging hunters. At 3 months, my pup points and retrieves like a champ.

**Cybadboy** · 07-18-2008, 10:46 AM

You won't find a better dog than a Labrador (IMO). They are great around kids and are very smart. My nephew wants to ride my lab like a horse but she just stays clear of him. She is a great hunting dog, also. Just a great dog. If you want the name of the breeder PM me and I will give you the website. You can check it out and see if you are interested.

**mj4cy** · 07-18-2008, 10:49 AM

We JUST got a puppy last week. He is a 12 week old Shih Tzu. HE doesn't bark, great with every other dog he's ever met, doesn't shed, great with kids and is quickly learning doggy training and it's been only 10 days. Very playful and cuddly also. Couldn't be happier.

**tzjung** · 07-18-2008, 10:57 AM

Really, the only dog that fits all your criteria is a Weimearaner. A Weim is GREAT with kids, people, hunting, and they are easily the coolest looking dogs there are.

Of course..I'm a little biased, as we rescued one that was found in Ames. Of course we had to name him Jack....after Jack Trice!

**cybsball20** · 07-18-2008, 11:00 AM

But no fuzzy ears...

**2020cy** · 07-18-2008, 11:15 AM

I have an English setter and really like it. Great hunting dog and usually sleeps with the kids. It is nice size for lifting over fences, my buddies 120 lb. lab is a load. It has a great nose, can be a little rangy and retreiving could be a little better, but overall I like it better than my goldens I had previous. In the house you wouldn't know it is a hunting dog, but once it's on the deck it is all business.

**huntt26** · 07-18-2008, 11:27 AM

I would suggest finding a dog at the humane society. It is cheaper, and you're doing a good service, because there are a lot of great homeless pets. The people that work there take really good care of the animals, so you won't get some crazy psycho animal either. Which is nice.

**clones26** · 07-18-2008, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

I love labs but my wife thinks they are too big... I know a few people that have gotten the 'runt' though, so who knows...

We have a "runt" lab (Ellie...after Ellis Hobbs) thats 70lbs, who thinks she is a lap dog.

**Seth** · 07-18-2008, 12:04 PM

One of my really good friend's has a weim. You gotta be really careful w/ weims, because they are often kinda neurotic. I've heard of weims who would get very jealous of other dogs and kids. I've also heard of weims who couldn't learn to control their bowels.

I'm not saying you should steer clear of them, but I would be careful with what you get yourself into.

**1100011CS** · 07-18-2008, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by Seth

One of my really good friend's has a weim. You gotta be really careful w/ weims, because they are often kinda neurotic. I've heard of weims who would get very jealous of other dogs and kids. I've also heard of weims who couldn't learn to control their bowels.

I'm not saying you should steer clear of them, but I would be careful with what you get yourself into.

I'll second that. Every one I've ever came across has been very temperamental. My brother has two, a friend of his has one and I have a buddy that hunts with one. My brother's newest one is the only one that isn't a total freak and it's only a pup. The hunting one has to be kept separated from the other dogs or it will attack them. My brother's older one will growl at anyone that tries to pet it. Very scary with my kids around although it hasn't ever bitten anyone.