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Gun dog for Colorado
I am looking for the first gun dog, live in CO, hunt and will be hunting pheasants, quail, rabbits, ducksin eastern CO. Big yard, small kids, 2x3 hrs alone in the yard/ house M_T.
Any rccomendations? Thanks. |
RE: Gun dog for Colorado
To answer your question, my answer would be a Pointing Labrador.
Where in E. CO do you live? Just wondered why you didn't mention Doves. . |
RE: Gun dog for Colorado
i agree with Doc E a lab would be perfect. they are so good with kids and can trust them by themselves during the day. i also might consider a GSP. they have a bit more energy, but you said you have a big yard. All the GSP i have been around have been good with kids. i have one of each and have had very good success in eastern colorado.
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RE: Gun dog for Colorado
I would recommend looking at some of the European Versatiles.
Examples and good websites to look at would be: Deutsch Drahthaars - www.vdd-gna.org Deutsch Kurzhaars - http://www.nadkc.org/ Pudelpointer - http://www.cedarwoodgundogs.com/ Wirehaired Pointing Griffon -www.wpgca.org Large Munsterlander - http://www.lmcna.org/ I have a 3 1/2 year old son and decided that a Pudelpointer is going to have absolutely everything I need in a hunting dog at the same time being a great member of the family (well, maybe not with the cat, but we'll see). One of the good things about the first three breeds I have listed (maybe the Munsterlander as well, I'm not sure); none of them are recognized by the AKC. So, none of the breeders will be breeding show dogs. They are all hunting dogs. This is not the case with other breeds, which only means the excercise of finding the right breeder could be more difficult; especially if you don't know a lot of people in the dog world. Good luck, |
RE: Gun dog for Colorado
tough to beat a lab IMO
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RE: Gun dog for Colorado
Any breed will do you right if you seek the right breeder that produces pups that work for you. Eastern Colorado hunting and Western Kansas is taylor made for big running dogs. Big milo, wheat, and CRP grass. It does not get terribly cold. My first choice would be a NAVHDA bred shorthair or a Deutsch Kurzhaar. Maybe even an English pointer.
I disagree with the lab thing as I lived and hunted in eastern colorado for many many years. It is not like hunting in the midwest. Unless you hunt river bottoms strictly, that is pheasant hunting made for dogs that will run wide open. |
RE: Gun dog for Colorado
Laufer
Are you wanting an all around dog for fur, upland and waterfowl? Then a versatile or pointing lab would suit you. But if you're just wanting an upland dog then you may also want to check out the english setter. I'm kinda of bias though. Everyone worries about their coats but a simple brush or trim the feathering and you basically have a brittany with a tail. If you get one, get a Llewellin setter x English setter (most english setter have Llew blood in them anyways). But generally, the crosses tend more towards the english (stylish points and run big) but retain the Llew bird drive and nose. |
RE: Gun dog for Colorado
ORIGINAL: AlaskaMagnum Any breed will do you right if you seek the right breeder that produces pups that work for you. Eastern Colorado hunting and Western Kansas is taylor made for big running dogs. Big milo, wheat, and CRP grass. It does not get terribly cold. My first choice would be a NAVHDA bred shorthair or a Deutsch Kurzhaar. Maybe even an English pointer. I disagree with the lab thing as I lived and hunted in eastern colorado for many many years. It is not like hunting in the midwest. Unless you hunt river bottoms strictly, that is pheasant hunting made for dogs that will run wide open. Thanks for your comments. |
RE: Gun dog for Colorado
ORIGINAL: mustad I would recommend looking at some of the European Versatiles. Examples and good websites to look at would be: Deutsch Drahthaars - www.vdd-gna.org Deutsch Kurzhaars - http://www.nadkc.org/ Pudelpointer - http://www.cedarwoodgundogs.com/ Wirehaired Pointing Griffon -www.wpgca.org Large Munsterlander - http://www.lmcna.org/ I have a 3 1/2 year old son and decided that a Pudelpointer is going to have absolutely everything I need in a hunting dog at the same time being a great member of the family (well, maybe not with the cat, but we'll see). One of the good things about the first three breeds I have listed (maybe the Munsterlander as well, I'm not sure); none of them are recognized by the AKC. So, none of the breeders will be breeding show dogs. They are all hunting dogs. This is not the case with other breeds, which only means the excercise of finding the right breeder could be more difficult; especially if you don't know a lot of people in the dog world. Good luck, |
RE: Gun dog for Colorado
ORIGINAL: laufer303 ORIGINAL: AlaskaMagnum Any breed will do you right if you seek the right breeder that produces pups that work for you. Eastern Colorado hunting and Western Kansas is taylor made for big running dogs. Big milo, wheat, and CRP grass. It does not get terribly cold. My first choice would be a NAVHDA bred shorthair or a Deutsch Kurzhaar. Maybe even an English pointer. I disagree with the lab thing as I lived and hunted in eastern colorado for many many years. It is not like hunting in the midwest. Unless you hunt river bottoms strictly, that is pheasant hunting made for dogs that will run wide open. Thanks for your comments. |
RE: Gun dog for Colorado
The water is very cold here during duck season so I would recommend a lab. Also the pheasants here are mostly running and will not hold tight for the most part.
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RE: Gun dog for Colorado
I wouldn't worry too much about water temp. There are very few places in North America that get colder than where I am. I am anticipating no problems with regards to my pudelpointer going in the water. Yes, labs are well known to being able to deal with cold water, but they are not the only dogs that can do it. With the breeds that have been thrown on the table so far, I don't think you will have any problem whatsoever with water temp.
Cheers, |
RE: Gun dog for Colorado
Mustad,
I live in one of those places where the water gets colder than even you. The versatiles do just fine. In fact, my shorthair routinely swims in glacial rivers when duck hunting, and that water is actually below 32 degrees due to the salt content.From my experience, the only waters that a versatile really do not do okay in is ocean hunting. I would want a large lab or a chessie if I did a lot of sea duck hunting out in the salt. Big waves, strong current, extremely cold water = the larger labs and chessies excel in this environment. I have had my shorthair and my lab swimming in the salt and there is a difference out there. The other thing about eastern Colorado is that most of the waterfowling is done in large winter wheat fields, corn fields, etc. very little large water bodies to hunt out there. |
RE: Gun dog for Colorado
Oh come on AM,
Next thing, you'll start telling me that the moose are bigger in your neck of the woods. Oh wait... they are :)) Cheers, |
RE: Gun dog for Colorado
There is alot of good input here for you to decide on. Myself I like
the Irish Setter they are very good with small children and have been noted to get between children and trouble.Their history tells you they can be very versatile.They can run big when needed and be brought in close ranging when the need requires.I hunt open fields and the big cedar/alder swamps here with them.I do not care for duck hunts, however my Irish loves water. I had to pull him out of the ice this spring as he had seen water and decided to jump in on me. For as far as being left alone that could be a problem for a young one. As they do not like being bored. Although I had a friend who had one loose and that one stayed around for him really well. The biggest down fall is finding the hunting variety and not the show, so good luck on what you decide. |
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