ok guys and gals.. i need some opinions here... i have had one of the greatest dogs i could have ever asked for the last 9 years.. recently my dog was found to have cancer and we had to have her put to sleep.. she was a beagle/basset and was the cutest little dog... now i am in need of another friend/hunting partner.. i am just wondering what breed of dog would be the best to get. id like to have it accompany me hunting and it also has to be a good family dog which will get along with anyone it comes in contact with.. also i am not looking to spend alot of money <$500. and suggestions and does anyone have any in pennsylvania?

A female lab is a great family dog. I will never have anything but. I think no matter the breed if you go with females you can't go wrong. GOOD LUCK!!!

I have no problems with the labs after having one for 17 years
before putting her to rest. But, I think your wrong about getting
just females from any breed! In a lot of bird dogs the males appear
to learn quicker, but, that is not all cases either. You have to check
them out good as with any breed you get as well.

I agree Phill about the training part. What i ment is a family dog females are the best. I have had several dogs, and by far my best huntingdog was a male black lab that was 120+. He was a 110% all the time, but family wise no. He didn't try to bite the kids or anything, but he just didn't like them. Good info on the checking them out. They are all like people having their own personallity. Good Luck

I believe he's looking for a tracking hound of some sort since he's hunted with a beagle/basset. Have you looked into a bavarian hound?

you are actually right i was leaning more towards a lab/lab mix of some sort.. i just want an all around good family dog who also will make a good hunting companion.. any suggestions of types of labs or good mixes?

What are you going to be hunting?
Ratio of Waterfowl to Upland etc.



.

Doc,
He wants to hunt squirrels, rabbits and such or maybe bigger game, deer, cougar, or bear.

You need an Original Mountain Cur. Sharpest dogs around in my opinion. They will stay fairly close to you in the woods and will stay loyal. They look up a lot and use their eyes and ears and brains, not just their nose. They will get after varmints like nothing else, too. Great squirrel and coon dogs, and also good bay dogs and guardians. About 30-45 pounds usually. Males make good natured dogs that love their territory and families. My male has even pointed and flushed quail for me. Great dogs, especially great all-around dogs. They will do pretty much whatever you want to teach them to do. They will figure it out, but it seems most nowadays are bred heavy for squirrel/coon dogs or hog dogs.