Second Guessing?

[1_pointer]

As I've posted before I would like to get a bird hunting dog of some flavor. While I've narrowed down what flavor I want, I got some info while at home that was contradictory to my thinking.

This dog will be a pet first and foremost. An aquaintance from back home who's had bird dogs (mostly Britts, and English Pointers) thought I was looney for wanting to have a bird dog for a house pet. My thinking is that if they are trainable to be a GOOD hunting dog they should be trainable enough to be good in the house.

Anyone had any problems getting bird dogs aquainted to living indoors? His worry was the energy, but I'm hoping that keeping the dog in shape will help me shed some pounds. I just don't know, I'm just starting to second guess...

Also, beings that we already have a dog in the house would it be best to start with a puppy instead of an older dog?

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1">[ 01-01-2003 21:06: Message edited by: 1_pointer ]</font>

 

[Calif. Hunter]

My bird dogs have always been house pets, too. As far as I am concerned, it is the best way to develop discipline and cooperation. If I was into competition like field trials, it might be a different story, as I would want a hard-charging, independent dog. For a foot hunter, however, I want a cooperative dog that checks in with me, watches which way I am going, etc. I think you develop that kind of relationship best when the dog actually lives with you.

 

[Ithaca 37]

I agree with Cal. My dog is a house dog and she's great in the house. I have friends with every breed of hunting dog you can imagine, and many of them are full time house dogs. Even English Pointers and Setters. I don't know for sure how to advise you on an older dog moving in with a current house dog. That would probably be an individual case.

 

[T Bone]

I agree with Cali and Ithica.

My GSP loves being let inside, loves being mauled by my kids. When she sees my shotgun and vest she is all business in finding a bird.

T Bone

 

[1_pointer]

Thanks for killing my apprehenshion! I'm still shopping, but I'll probably wait to get a dog until I'm out of school and have a job to see if I'll have the time to devote to it as is needed.

My wife wants a dog with longish hair (she likes border collies). I'm thinking a Britt or a French Britt would satisfy her and me both (it's to be a family dog). I do love the 'rough' look of the wirehaired dogs. Anyone with any experience with Britts and water?

I know I keep talking in circles but this is all Greek to me.

 

[Ithaca 37]

A friend of mine who has always had Golden Retreivers is considering getting a pointing dog, so I arranged for him to hunt over a Griffon a week ago. He likes long haired dogs and a Griffon would make a good transition dog for him. I don't think he can adjust to a big running dog that ranges out real far yet.

I usually recommend Griffons for people trying to make the transition from a flushing dog to a pointing dog if they seem to want a dog that will stay close to them. I've hunted over about ten Griffons and every one of them was a good bird dog. I think anybody who thinks they want a pointing Lab would be better off with a Griffon.

The Brits that I've seen haven't been very good water dogs and I don't think that's one of their strong points. I think they're nice dry land pointing dogs.

I think the Versatile Dogs site is a good place to ask questions about different kinds of dogs. Those are the subjects they specialize in on their message board.

http://www.versatiledogs.com/

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1">[ 01-02-2003 23:13: Message edited by: Ithaca 37 ]</font>

 

[Washington Hunter]

The first thing I would recommend is NOT getting an older dog. Actually it may be ok if the dog was raised in a house and was used to being around people. I got an older GSP once, thinking it would save me time in training. Well the dog didn't know how to act around people, didn't know how to act in a house, it was just terrible. I took her back to the breeder after about a month and got my money back, and put a deposit on a puppy from a litter he had. I just think you would be much better off getting a pup at 7 weeks old. And, don't worry about keeping your dog in the house with you. My GSP is great in the house, He's 5 now, and yes he does have a lot of energy but in the house he mostly just lays around and sleeps. Sometimes he gets a little wound up and brings he his tennis ball and I throw it and throw it and throw it for him, until he tires me out. But if I just put the ball up he will leave me alone and go curl up in his bed. I think it's really a shame for a dog to live outside all alone it's entire life.

 

[IndyJay]

We've got two English Setters and I was raised with an English Setter. Hank, my childhood dog was an excellent hunter until the time he died and a wonderful house pet too. Very gentle with kids but an absolute fiend when it came to finding birds.... he was professionally trained and kept as a bird dog until we got a hold of him and turned him into a pet.... I remember when we first got him, he'd sleep at the foot of my parent's bed and we'd have to wake up my father so he could tell "Hank" it was OK to get up and leave his side!

Now, my two setters are great pets, very docile and great to have around the house. They haven't received any formal hunting training but one seems to know what to do when in a field of birds.... I just haven't had the spare $$$ to have them professionally trainined or the space/knowledge to do it myself....

My opinion... English Setters all the way.