Getting the itch
- CDN_Cocker
- Rank: 5X Champion
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- Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 5:59 pm
- Location: ON, Canada
Getting the itch
Well with the passing of the wife's lap dog this past summer I've been getting the itch to add a second dog to the house again. I feel like a lab is probably the right choice to add but am having a hard time settling on that. Whatever breed we end up going with I know this time around I will of course be buying the best I can afford as far as nose and ability goes but I will also be focusing on the parents and how they are as family dogs. My cocker is an absolute hunting and retrieving machine but at 4 years old he's still unable to settle in the house. That is something that I know this time around is an important trait as it will be an indoor dog and has to be manageable for my wife and small children. My main love is grouse and woodcock but bird numbers are steadily declining around here and I feel like a flusher isn't really ideal. I also do a fair amount of goose and duck hunting which my cocker does well but I know a bigger dog with a better coat would be more ideal late in the year. The cocker also sheds really bad so adding a lab is a bit concerning in that regard. I'm not counting a lab out by any means just looking for some guidance. Looking for a bird finding machine that's nice to share the house with for the remaining 8 months of the year and can do it all like my spaniel.
- Dakotazeb
- Rank: 4X Champion
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- Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2014 1:10 pm
- Location: South Dakota / Arizona
Re: Getting the itch
Whatever your Cocker sheds you can figure the Lab will shed at least twice as much.
Re: Getting the itch
A German Wirehair or a griffon?
Re: Getting the itch
You surely don't require me to tell you that a kennel dog will shed twice a year and one in the home with central heating does not .CDN_Cocker wrote:Well with the passing of the wife's lap dog this past summer I've been getting the itch to add a second dog to the house again. I feel like a lab is probably the right choice to add but am having a hard time settling on that. Whatever breed we end up going with I know this time around I will of course be buying the best I can afford as far as nose and ability goes but I will also be focusing on the parents and how they are as family dogs. My cocker is an absolute hunting and retrieving machine but at 4 years old he's still unable to settle in the house. That is something that I know this time around is an important trait as it will be an indoor dog and has to be manageable for my wife and small children. My main love is grouse and woodcock but bird numbers are steadily declining around here and I feel like a flusher isn't really ideal. I also do a fair amount of goose and duck hunting which my cocker does well but I know a bigger dog with a better coat would be more ideal late in the year. The cocker also sheds really bad so adding a lab is a bit concerning in that regard. I'm not counting a lab out by any means just looking for some guidance. Looking for a bird finding machine that's nice to share the house with for the remaining 8 months of the year and can do it all like my spaniel.
I'm sure you are astute enough to know that the parentage of working ability has no bearing on the environmental conditions or training of the intended pup.
Standard poodle is a good choice
- CDN_Cocker
- Rank: 5X Champion
- Posts: 1416
- Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 5:59 pm
- Location: ON, Canada
Re: Getting the itch
Lol I do like poodles but shedding isn't that huge of a concern. It'd be nice to get a dog that doesn't shed as much but I also know it comes with the territory.
Re: Getting the itch
Dogs that don't shed as much are always the same color as your rugs and furniture.
Re: Getting the itch
LOL Very good.
Consider a setter Nick. I know a good breeder near you who regularly breeds fine hunting pups - Terry is getting one in Dec. They are just fine in the house- with proper opportunities to run/ hunt. You can get one on the smaller size- mine is only 35 pounds. They don't have to be a big running dog - it's all in the training, though not made for duck/goose hunting.
( I'm trying to ignore the itch.)
Why I like a high, white tail:
Consider a setter Nick. I know a good breeder near you who regularly breeds fine hunting pups - Terry is getting one in Dec. They are just fine in the house- with proper opportunities to run/ hunt. You can get one on the smaller size- mine is only 35 pounds. They don't have to be a big running dog - it's all in the training, though not made for duck/goose hunting.
( I'm trying to ignore the itch.)
Why I like a high, white tail:
Last edited by Sharon on Mon Nov 21, 2016 7:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- greg jacobs
- Rank: 5X Champion
- Posts: 890
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- Location: selah washington
Re: Getting the itch
I would think one of the versatile breeds would handle the cold up there a little better. My shorthairs will retrieve in cold water as long as they are running afterwards. They don't do as well in a blind.
However the versatiles do leak a little water after a drink.
However the versatiles do leak a little water after a drink.
- CDN_Cocker
- Rank: 5X Champion
- Posts: 1416
- Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 5:59 pm
- Location: ON, Canada
Re: Getting the itch
While I love the way setters look...and the fact that they are the ultimate on grouse... not sure I want to add another silky haired burr magnet into my house lolSharon wrote:LOL Very good.
Consider a setter Nick. I know a good breeder near you who regularly breeds fine hunting pups - Terry is getting one in Dec. They are just fine in the house- with proper opportunities to run/ hunt. You can get one on the smaller size- mine is only 35 pounds. They don't have to be a big running dog - it's all in the training, though not made for duck/goose hunting.
( I'm trying to ignore the itch.)
Re: Getting the itch
Do a google search on Braque Francais Pyrenees. Might be what your after.
Re: Getting the itch
I've not found that to be a problem with normal brushing, and I normally have 2 in the house at a time.CDN_Cocker wrote:While I love the way setters look...and the fact that they are the ultimate on grouse... not sure I want to add another silky haired burr magnet into my house lolSharon wrote:LOL Very good.
Consider a setter Nick. I know a good breeder near you who regularly breeds fine hunting pups - Terry is getting one in Dec. They are just fine in the house- with proper opportunities to run/ hunt. You can get one on the smaller size- mine is only 35 pounds. They don't have to be a big running dog - it's all in the training, though not made for duck/goose hunting.
( I'm trying to ignore the itch.)
Re: Getting the itch
Silky setter hair tends to roll up in little vacuumable clouds under the furniture, while the bristles off slick dogs gets inextricably embedded in the upholstery and rugs/carpetingSharon wrote:I've not found that to be a problem with normal brushing, and I normally have 2 in the house at a time.CDN_Cocker wrote:While I love the way setters look...and the fact that they are the ultimate on grouse... not sure I want to add another silky haired burr magnet into my house lolSharon wrote:LOL Very good.
Consider a setter Nick. I know a good breeder near you who regularly breeds fine hunting pups - Terry is getting one in Dec. They are just fine in the house- with proper opportunities to run/ hunt. You can get one on the smaller size- mine is only 35 pounds. They don't have to be a big running dog - it's all in the training, though not made for duck/goose hunting.
( I'm trying to ignore the itch.)