Need help finding the right dog
 

I was waiting until the really cold weather went away before i got me a dog. I want a dog that can fetch a bird, but also can be protective, and playful. I was thinking a lab, but the last one i had only wanted to lick you to death. I like my cousins Boxer,but then i loose the "bird fetching" part of the dog. Please any suggestions?

RE: Need help finding the right dog
 

Alan you know we need coon dogs!

RE: Need help finding the right dog
 

Thats sorta a catch 22 you have there.

You dont want a hunting dog that you cant take hunting for fear he might hurt someone. Labs are good "watchdogs" (meaning an alert bark, but prolly no bite). That being said I have had a couple labs that would bite the sheeetoutta whoever went into their yard.Thats not a good thing really, I didnt like those dogs, they never really produced much.

When you get a dog, if its not a real push over personality, it will instinctively be "protective" of the people it lives with. Doesnt mean its going to bite the bad guy, but it will let you know when someone is near, and you never know what the dog might do in a lifeor death situation until that comes.

Go get yourself the best hunting dog you can, then go buy a few more guns and protect yourself if the dog wont.

Good luck.

RE: Need help finding the right dog
 

I would say either a lab or a golden retriever. When picking a dog, go to the litter of pups, dont touch them, just let one come to you, the first one that comes to you is the one that you will get along with the best.

RE: Need help finding the right dog
 

Ive been looking in the Mule Trader and there are some pretty good deals for Labs. There are some that are free to a good home, then there are some that might cost $100-$150, which isnt bad, But the free to a good home, are either puppies, or there is one that says and i quote, "he likes to be the baby of the house". What kinda dog is that. I dont want a puppy(already been there), i just want a dog that is about 1 year old and is good shape and playful.

RE: Need help finding the right dog
 

Are you going to be doing all the training? Are you looking for a "started" or "finished" dog? You looking for a registered dog? "the baby of the house" prolly means he likes to have all the attention. Really cute and cudly type. Not a hunter/watchdog type.

RE: Need help finding the right dog
 

check out the German Shorthair Pointers, Google them, google the DD breed, and the DK breed. ( german version of them ) I think that you would be impressed to see that they fit your bill nicely

RE: Need help finding the right dog
 

Get a Lab

RE: Need help finding the right dog
 

I was thinking about getting a deer hound. i think their called Walkers.

RE: Need help finding the right dog
 

For game and family safety there is only one that comes to mind; Chessies!! There is no question that this is the best of what you are looking for.

RE: Need help finding the right dog
 

I googled it, and i dont want a dog with that much hair. And plus they look so innocent, and they're a small dog, i want a dog that is more of a "playful protector", and looks mean but isnt really that mean. The hunting part, im not that concerned about, i thought that it would be a bonus since i dove hunt a lot. But thanks for the Chessies idea anyways. Dont want something that is hard to train.

RE: Need help finding the right dog
 

If you're not concerned about the hunting part, get yourself a Doberman. A young female.
She will be very protective vs the males who are agreesive and she will do a great job of looking mean.

She will be a playful protector no doubt andshould be easy to train since they are a very intelligent breed.

RE: Need help finding the right dog
 

Yep--Came's right. You want a Chesapeke. They are everything you listed.

RE: Need help finding the right dog
 

It's going to be either a Doberman, German Shepard, Boxer,or if it comes down to it, a Lab. The Chesapeke sounds like agood dog but it dont look like the kind of dog im looking for.

RE: Need help finding the right dog
 

Yep. I knew my answer soon as I read the post... figured I'd see if anyone else said it first. One of the few dogs that is known to be generally protective and very driven to retrieve. I've seen labs that are protective of certain areas (trucks especially), and I've heard of a few protective Goldens. Personally, Attilah the Hun could come storming up our driveway on an elephant shooting flaming arrows and my Golden would be nothing but excitied to see him... but then Dutch has never been in a situation where he needed to be protective of me or my fiancee. The fiancee's black lab is a bit more people in-touch, and I think would indeed go to bat for either of us if the need arose.

But generally, I think that a Chessie is a good way to go. They can be rather stubborn though, but that is case dependant. If you have kids around and/or lots of company then there may be better choices for you.

RE: Need help finding the right dog
 

This is what i was thinking the whole time, I really want a dog that will protect me and especially MY TRUCK!!!!

RE: Need help finding the right dog
 

I am getting the idea that he is more or less looking for a low cost dog like from a shelter or one that may be given away if I am correct.. I think Chessies come with a pretty darn good price tag if I am not mistaken.. If not and he has the time a good old fashion setter could do what he wants easily.. The same goes for most dogs I am sure. The hunting dogs are more apt to retrieve though and that is something he is asking as well. Protect the kids ,his truck, and enjoys hunting with him. All at a low cost and I do believe it is posible to find what he is looking for from a shelter. I do suggest that he be carefull in his selection from them.I would recomend that you get as much background from them of the dog or dogs you maybe interested in. That will tell you how much work is needed in order to straighten it out.. I wish you good luck in what you decide on and that all works out great for you..

RE: Need help finding the right dog
 

I had not thought about the shelter idea. I was lookingin the Mule Trader, and found a Shepard/Lab mix that has to get gone because they have to many animals at thier house. So i'm probably going to build a pin for the dog before i go and get it.

RE: Need help finding the right dog
 

Go with what suites you the best, but I would do a bit more research on the Chessie. You said that they are small and have too much hair? Chessies are a bit bigger than a lab and have a nice coat. They dont seem to shed as much as labs and do very well outside. My buddy breeds them and have not had any problems around kids. I would not want to be the stranger that walked up to his kids either. Great dog and overlooked. Again, get what you think will work. I have seen rotties hunt.

RE: Need help finding the right dog
 

Get a lab. If you want a retriever and a personality, you wont miss with a lab.

RE: Need help finding the right dog
 

im going to have to agree with chessie as well. it sound like you are looking for protection first hunting second. chessies have been used for both but i think it might be hard to suite both those need well at the same time.
ps. OUCH on the walker comment..lol

RE: Need help finding the right dog
 

My one year oldwirehaired pointing griffon is a playful clownish dog with lots of personality. Mostly an inside dog, but loves to go ouside and play, walkor train.
Although not particularly aggressive hewill alert you to anything ouside.
He is not afraid to be protective of his people, and is the first one to the door if someone is there.
The breed is great for all sorts of hunting.
Our seven year old female dobie, has one mean looking "scary dog face" and growlthat would scare away most people.
But she is not mean.
She won't point or fetch anything.