Looking for a Dog

**cybsball20** · 07-18-2008, 09:08 AM

So, after bugging my wife for over a year now she has finally broken down and agreed that we can get a dog. I would like to get a dog that would be great around people, kids, etc. but can still go out in the field and hunt from time to time. After alot of research by me, and judging by looks (the wife) we have narrowed down to Brittany Spaniel and English Setter.

Anybody have any experiences with either breeds? Anyone know any breeders for either? Any other suggestions for breeds?
Thanks!

**RyCy04** · 07-18-2008, 09:14 AM

High energy dogs. You will need to take a lot of time to get them outside and into open areas to burn off that energy.

**Knownothing** · 07-18-2008, 09:18 AM

I have a cocker spaniel. He likes to hunt rabbits. Spaniels are great dogs.

**Seth** · 07-18-2008, 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

So, after bugging my wife for over a year now she has finally broken down and agreed that we can get a dog. I would like to get a dog that would be great around people, kids, etc. but can still go out in the field and hunt from time to time. After alot of research by me, and judging by looks (the wife) we have narrowed down to Brittany Spaniel and English Setter.

Anybody have any experiences with either breeds? Anyone know any breeders for either? Any other suggestions for breeds?
Thanks!

I've got a 3.5 year old black lab that is amazing in the field and has a very mild disposition. He's playful, but really good around other dogs and children. I first took him out at 5 months and he was retrieving half of my birds. He's been out several times since and every time his nose just gets better and better. He's also got a tendency to point, which has really helped when I wing my birds. I got him from Okoboji Game Farm up in Milford, IA. Here's their website: Okoboji Game Farm, LLC Doug Dodge is the guy that owns it and he was really helpful in the whole process. For a fully registered lab it only cost me $300. Both of my dog's parents were OFA Good or better, with excellent eyesight as well. The sire also is a NAHRA started retriever, so he has excellent hunting instincts. I gotta tell ya man, if I were in the market for another one, there's not a doubt in my mind I'd go w/ these guys again.

**clintr** · 07-18-2008, 09:21 AM

Sounds like you have your mind already made up, but I've had a lot of success with labs through the years. Can be trained pretty easily and get along with kids (at least that's my experience).

My wife and I are getting a pup here in August, so I'm excited to have one again.

**cybsball20** · 07-18-2008, 09:21 AM

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...

**soccercy** · 07-18-2008, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

So, after bugging my wife for over a year now she has finally broken down and agreed that we can get a dog. I would like to get a dog that would be great around people, kids, etc. but can still go out in the field and hunt from time to time. After alot of research by me, and judging by looks (the wife) we have narrowed down to Brittany Spaniel and English Setter.

Anybody have any experiences with either breeds? Anyone know any breeders for either? Any other suggestions for breeds?
Thanks!

So does that mean I get to help you dig holes for fence posts? I bet she was just so relieved to have her test done!

**erikbj** · 07-18-2008, 09:26 AM

Not too much experience with those two. I have had 4 german shorthairs over the years adn they are great with kids and family dogs, but also wonderful hunters. I don't think I would ever get another breed.

**jakemcilroy** · 07-18-2008, 09:26 AM

We have 1.5 year old Yorkie (named Hilton)...he's great. He's 9.5 pounds, great around kids and other dogs, and always willing to play or sleep - you pick.

The best part, one thing I look closely into is shedding. Dogs that shed require daily attention to vacuuming (something I don't like to do). If you get a dog that doesn't shed, it greatly cuts down on the mess around the house.

We got him from a highly respected breeder in Indianola called Yorkies Galore. Yorkshire Terrier Puppies Yorkshire Terrier For Sale Yorkshire Terrier Puppies For Sale

We keep his hair short so sometimes people don't know he's even a Yorkie. I'm not a big fan of the long haired, girly, looking Yorkies.

**Seth** · 07-18-2008, 09:28 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...

Yeah, it's really hard to guess how big they'll get too. Hank, my lab, is right at 100 lbs, and he's ridiculously lean. His parents were 75 & 70 lbs, so I definitely didn't expect he'd turn out this big. A lot of people hear "100 lb lab" and figure he's gotta be overweight, but he's just tall and long. I bet when he stretches out all the way, he's 6-6.5 feet long.

**cytech** · 07-18-2008, 09:28 AM

I just want to add in that I would highly recommend a german shorthair pointer to you.

They are great family pets and great hunters at the same time. And I know a breeder for them and brits over here near Coralville. But they are going to cost you around $750-$1500 depending on what you are looking for.

**1100011CS** · 07-18-2008, 09:29 AM

German Shorthair Pointer. Shorter hair (obviously) than Labs, Setters and Spaniels (so shedding isn't as noticeable), great hunters, great house dogs. I prefer females since they seem more controllable (might be just me) but you have to deal with the "female stuff" which can be a pain. I've had English Setters too. They ranged more than the Shorthairs I've been around and keeping them groomed is a bit harder. Good pets though.

EDIT: As noted above, you can pay quite a bit for a "good blood line" but you can also find them at the pound. Usually in the spring there will be several that breeders couldn't get rid of so they dump them on the side of the road. I almost got one this spring that way and would have if my current dog wasn't still around.

**cybsball20** · 07-18-2008, 09:31 AM

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

**1100011CS** · 07-18-2008, 09:33 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

Ah, the fuzzy ears. Can't argue with that.

**jakemcilroy** · 07-18-2008, 09:35 AM

Yorkies = worst hunter you could you buy! Unless your hunting tennis balls, he's really good at those. The best thing is, we've never had to put him a kennel. I travel a lot and we're gone a lot in general, but with a small dog (who doesn't shed) it's quite easy to find someone to take him in for a couple days.