Bird dogs breeds, anyone have much experience with them?

Rotaxpower

Rotaxpower

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I will try and make this as short as I can lol. Well me and the old lady are looking to get a dog, and if we are getting one I want to get one and train for a bird dog to retrieve grouse, ducks and geese. Also we have a 18 month old boy too that needs a buddy (every little boy needs to grow up with a dog) :) Any who, we dont want a big dog and did some research and kinda came to the conclusion that maybe a cocker spaniel kinda fits the bill, although they may be a bit small for retrieving geese but have read they will do it. I have found a breeder close to me that will have purebred cocker spaniel pups that are to be born oct 1st, the parents of the dogs are currently not hunting dogs but was told the dad would probably make a good one. So my questions are, how hard is it to train a cocker spaniel for hunting? Anyone have any tips/books a guy could read on the subject? Is there another breed I should be looking at? I would love a lab or retriever of some sort but they are just to big for my house, and also too big for my son right now! Thanks!
 
Do you only want a dog that retrieves? of a dog that can point upland birds too? And what about tracking? Whatever breed you choose, the ONLY ones you should be considering are pups from proven, tested hunting lines. Look for parents that have been tested and have passed recognized hunting tests. It makes a HUGE difference to your chances of getting a dog with good hunting ability. Any mutt may turn out to be a good hunter, exceptions abound. But the odds strongly favour the genetics developed for hunting ability by careful breeders.

My personal preferences are for the European versatile breeds. They can be used for upland and waterfowl, will point, track, and retrieve, and work on land and water, both birds and small furred game. Look for dogs tested by the North American Hunting Dog Federation ( NAVHDA) or the Versatile Hunting Dog Federation. ( VHDF) You could consider some dogs tested in the CKC hunt tests, but not all breeders are real hunters in the CKC system, some are just "playing the game" and it pays to do your homework with CKC tested dogs.

Breeds that may work well in your situation are limited by your preference for a small breed, that can also retrieve geese. Those are opposites that are kinda exclusive. If it was me I would go for a full sized, well behaved dog that can live with kids. Spaniels might work for geese. But very few Cockers come from proven hunting lines. Springers or Brittany spaniels would be a far more likely choice.
I have observed and hunted with Labrador retrievers and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, and of the versatile breeds, GSP's, GWP's, Large Munsterlanders, Viszlas, Pudelpointers, Brittanys, Weimaraners, Small Munsterlanders and a few others. I currently own and hunt with a Pudelpointer and am borrowing a Lab for the fall.

There are no bad hunting breeds, but there are definitely individual dogs that are good and bad hunters. Decide how you want to hunt, whether your dog can point upland birds or just flush them, short coat or long or wirehair, and do your research. Good luck!
 
If you want a retriever that is good for ducks, geese and possibly grouse; and is not too big - I'd suggest a Nova Scotia Duck Toller.

I've never owned one so can't vouch for their temperament around kids but they are the smallest of the retreivers and are cute to boot! (I'd second Labs here for dogs that are gentle with kids; plus I personally own a Chessie and have no problems with mine around kids).

I've read good things about Munsterlanders too as versatile hunting dogs. I believe there is a breeder in Saskatchewan.

Added: If you are going to purchase a puppy from a registered breeder, then make sure the dog you do get is from a hunting line not one from show dogs. Don't accept probably make a good hunting dog. You might get lucky, but if paying a breeder, I'd make sure the sire and dam are proven hunting dogs. Ask about their lineage and hunting titles.
 
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One of my passions. Bird dogs. Take your time, a huge investment of time and money. First and foremost the dog must fit into your home as that is the most important, no question with the young one in play. If you like Labs look around they come in all sizes. Don't take a flyer on a cute puppy, a bone head hunter gets real old after 10 or so. A huge variety of breeds. Some are very high energy and are simply dangerous because they may hurt a kid because they are excited not through meanness. Regardless, hunting with a dog makes even a day without birds more interesting than wandering around by yourself. Good luck.
 
Cockers that can hunt these days are rare as the breed has been nearly ruined by the pet trade. If you can find an English Cocker out of hunting lines you may do OK with one as a working dog but they can be hard to find in North America.

I would suggest you look at an Field-bred English Springer Spaniel (ESS)as they are not much larger than a Cocker. The two types of ESS - Field Bred and Show - have been separate breeds for over 60 years now so if you are looking for a hunting Springer ensure which type you are looking at.

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Work an action around here and pewf, the Ooseydog (GSP) is there by my side right now.
No chit.
Dry fire, here.
Pump an action........here now.
Work a lever, yup.
Now the old fur (Bordercollie/Lab/X), crack a beer........ssssszzzzt, deaf as she is, here she comes.
 
This is my second German Shorthair this ones is a female 2yrs old. She is developing into a good dog for fur and feathered game. She has already tracked deer and moose as well as retrieved grouse.
She now gets that when she is on point and I flush the grouse she should look up into the trees when they go to roost. Her name is Hanna, the story is that my grandmother on my German side was one of the most stuborn women I knew and Hanna is so stuborn which is a good thing as she will not quit, looking, or tracking she has a lot heart but is loving and a great family member. So I gave her grandma's name to honour her spirit.
 
You're getting some great advice here , as mentioned get a dog from a hunting/trial background and decide what type of hunting you will do the most . If mainly upland a smaller dog like a Springer or Brittany will do and if more waterfowl ,especially geese, are your goal a larger dog like a Lab would be good. Once you have clarified what you want get a dog from a breeder who will show you at least one parent actually working and interacting with people. Then prepare for rewarding and sometimes frustrating 12-14 years with a loyal companion.

 
A smallish female Drahthaar would fit the bill, but I'm not so biased to suggest that you avoid checking out the Boykin Spaniel.
 
Another vote here for German Shorthair Pointers. I've got two and they work tirelessly in the field, are strong swimmers and great pets to boot. However they are very high-energy dogs that need constant excercise. You need to run them hard for a couple hours a day at least and even then they are still borderline mental. If you don't have acreage I would not get one. They are not a city dog and walking them on a leash will not satisfy their excercise requirements unless you are a marathon runner.
 
All good advice.

I will say a field bred Golden Retriever - they are a smaller dog than the foo - foo swamp collies the conformation/show dolts breed. Shorter hair, smaller frame and usually a darker color.

They do it all as well. Maybe a touch stronger than a lab on upland, but definitely not as strong in the water. Make great pets and are usually pretty soft natured so easy to live with and train.

As one previous poster said - there are no bad dogs really - just do your homework on the breeder, pick a breed that fits and put your time into them.
 
norskie said:
I will say a field bred Golden Retriever - they are a smaller dog than the foo - foo swamp collies the conformation/show dolts breed. Shorter hair, smaller frame and usually a darker color.

They do it all as well. Maybe a touch stronger than a lab on upland, but definitely not as strong in the water. Make great pets and are usually pretty soft natured so easy to live with and train.
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Absolutely correct. My Golden (from field hunters) was the strongest swimmer I've ever seen, she floated like a cork. Fantastic hunting instinct. She was a trim 62 lbs, beautiful orange coat, could go all day, and cold water never stopped her from going in. And absolutely loved grouse hunting in the snow.
 
Thanks guys for all the great advice so far. My biggest thing is having a dog as a companion, but if it could retrieve and hunt that would be even better! I had been told by a few dog people, that cockers were breed for hunting, that its in there blood. I know the parents aren't hunting dogs but should be able to train one to retrieve and hunt a little, although it may take a little more training. But any who I will do a little more reading up and make sure I make the right decision the first time!
 
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