BEES KNEES,
Not sure who has 7 dogs and hunts 2 days. All dogs are different in some ways, even those of the same breed. The only lazy dog I have is 14 but still goes out and hunts. She can't move like she used to but still knows how to find a bird and retieve. A hunting dog is what you make of it. I have a male that I feild trial, Hunt wild birds and hunt waterfowl. I even track a wounded animal now and again with him. He can go from a 300 yard dog (feild trials) to a 60 yard dog (wild) or set in a blind. Granted, not all of mine can do this but there is both ends of the spectrum. Yes, they are both house dogs. Both are well mannered. maybe I don't understand your bottom but when I go Chukar hunting my dogs have to go all day long, up and down big hills. This is no means a my dog is better than yours. I am fortunate to hunt with other breeds as well and enjoy good dog work. I have had various dogs through out my life and decided on the Wirehairs. They are not for everyone but they are for me. If I had to start over again I would probably go with the Itallion Spinones but thats another long post.

ROBKONG
Go see the parents work if possible and if they have referances you can check some of those out. No matter what, you have a starting point with your new pup. How you train it and what you teach it are up to you. Be consistant and keep it fun.
GOOD LUCK
WYOWIRES

An active dog with alot of running room normally would keep a dog calmed down once the dog had a chance to run it off some.

For as far as shedding keep in mind fur and hair, fur is the thick hair underneath that creates most of the shedding problems in dogs.

Question # 2 is a hard one as you will need to keep the dog trained up in most cases. Some breeds do remember better than other breeds so they can retain it better and that means less training time when getting ready to hunt.

For as far as size most breeds have pups that can and will very in size from big to small. I have the Irish Setters and I sold a pup to a friend that hunted several dogs in the past. He also raised the English Setter and pointers for a while. His first hunting dog was an Irish Setter that was more like my male. When he got my female pup from he became very impressed with it. It was very small for an Irish he thought as it road around on the dashboard of his truck when working. He worked for Federal Express and took the pup everywhere. He stated he never saw a dog so birdy before and at full grown the Irish wieghs in at 28lbs. So one needs to concider exactly what they want and then check the dogs out for size as well as hunting ability.

Ps I tried to post sooner but had trouble logging on....

This recent webpage makeover really screwed things up. Anyways, I would seriously consider not getting a dog in the first place. It sounds like you only hunt a few times each season if even that. If you found a good hunting dog, would it be fair for the dog? There is also time you need to spend training them. 10 mins a day is fine until adolescence then its more, up to 1/2 - hourdaily. When you're hunting, you don't want the dog mis-behaving. You find that much too often. People screaming and burning their dogs. Too much reliance on the ecollar. It really is, 'you get what you put into it' especially with dogs.

So 15 days isn't enough to justify a dog? What is the cutoff? What's the minimum days needed to be in the field in order to have a dog in your opinion?

I would say a Wiredhaired Pointing Griffon would meet almost everything you're looking for. The only exception is that it is not a shorthaired breed. It isn't a longhaired breed either, but right in the middle.

Very calm dog in the house. Won't mind not hunting every day. Many people buy these dogs just as house pets and they perform very well to that extent in addition to hunting. When you get in the field, it will hunt hard. It will not be the fastest and it will not range the furthest, but it will definately not be the slowest either.

Twice to SD and 3-5 times per season. Which makes 5 or 7 times if the dog goes with, if not 3 -5 times. Only three times a season I would seriously consider not getting a dog, five maybe. If the dog goes with you to SD then I say you can justifiably get adog.

So many owners don't spend the time needed to train a hunting dog and expect the dog to obey. I know of a brit owner, doesn't spend time training, who will be going on a hunt in early Nov. The dog is not gun conditioned, bird conditioned and they'll be a couple of hunters shooting over aten month old pup. It can be done if he applies himself but it doesn't look like its going to happen.

These are the things you have to consider when getting a dog. It's not all about money.

South Dakota NR seasons are 5 days each. That makes 10 days in the field, and I'd DEFINITELY take the dog. The in laws live in Huron, so we're there quite a bit. And if I could find more areas to hunt here in SE Iowa I'd be out a lot more, believe me!

Thanks for the input; I think we're on the same page. I take adding a dog to the family very seriously. I want a dog that both Iand my family will be happy with, as well a dog that'll be happy with us! Which is why I'm going to be so picky.

When Buying a hoarse or a dog the cheapiest money you will ever spend is the inital investment.
I know a 500 pup sounds good compared to 2500 for a finished dog.
But, here is what that 500 pup will cost you over the next 2 years until it is trained
vet bills 400-600
Training 6 mnths 2400
tune-up next sesaon 400
you will have to hunt the dog a bunch the first 2 yrs for them to get the experience that they need.
even if a pup is free it still costs more to get one trained and keep them usable.
Here is what i would suggest. Buy a finished dog that has been hunted on a preserve for 2 yrs or more. Typically the dog will have been trained and hunted a bunch with thousands of birds shot.
You will never have to retrain the dog, even if only hunt a few times a yearor go once every other year.
You can bring your children to see the dog.You cansee exactly how the dog will act around them in the lodge and outside. if the dog can't go in the lodge you don't need them.
Labs and English Setters are the best family dogs.
All dogs shed, that is a fact of life

I've thought about a finished dog, and that is probably my best bet. I just hate to miss out on the puppy stages with my daughter, lol.

I know full well about initial cost versus cost of ownership. Airplanes are the exact same, except on a much larger scale... Hangar fees, insurance, fuel, annual inspection, regular routine maintenence, incidental maintenance, engine every 2000 hours, it never ends [&:]