- Location
- Sadly south of highway 40
RIP to Nicola she was a good hunting dog but we had to put her down today, I'm looking for a new hunting dog and would like your input on a good breed,somthing Under 500 thanks
Eli
Eli
We'll now I'm looking for a hunting dog...
- Thread starter elijah_lee
- Start date
safehunter
Regular
- Location
- South Western Onterrible
Sorry about your loss.
What are you hunting? Traditionally I'd say labs for waterfowl and spaniels for upland. They are common enough to be inexpensive. Brittany are good but I find rare enough to be over your budget. Probably same with gsp.
I have a lab/setter mix. Pretty versatile. Training more important than breed.
What are you hunting? Traditionally I'd say labs for waterfowl and spaniels for upland. They are common enough to be inexpensive. Brittany are good but I find rare enough to be over your budget. Probably same with gsp.
I have a lab/setter mix. Pretty versatile. Training more important than breed.
First off take your time getting used to the idea that Nicola is no longer around. $500 may not get you in the price range, $800 seems to be a good price most reputable breeders cost for a minimum. Do not rush at this, there are a huge variety of hunting breeds available. Get one that suits your lifestyle away from your hunting grounds as well. Remember that you spend far more time with your dog as a pet than a hunting companion. Most important advice I can extend as someone who has buried five hunting dogs/companions is this: Take your time.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
That sucks. RIP Nicola.
I wouldn't cheap out on a hunting dog. Under $500 you are really limiting your options. You didnt say what you were hunting so for an all around hunting dog I suggest a lab. My choc i paid $600 for him with no papers and he's pure breed,But has got knee and hip issues now at 6.5 years old. Get what you pay for......
I know many will scuff at this but check the pounds. There are many good dogs in need of a home. My brother spend $2200 on a champion bred pure bred black lab that's a house pet. Totally useless in the field. I rescued a basset hound from a garbage bag in a ditch and he was the best dog I could ever imagine
I've grown up with beagles and labs all my life. The odd pit bull and rotty mixed in until I came across a sad lil basset that needed rescuing.
My gf and I were saving to buy a boerbol but life got in the way and tomorrow I pick up a gorgeous female bull mastiff
You will know when it's right even if it's the wrong time
I've grown up with beagles and labs all my life. The odd pit bull and rotty mixed in until I came across a sad lil basset that needed rescuing.
My gf and I were saving to buy a boerbol but life got in the way and tomorrow I pick up a gorgeous female bull mastiff
You will know when it's right even if it's the wrong time
- Location
- Sadly south of highway 40
Waterfowl and I'm a lab type of guy but do you think I could pick up a lab off kijiji and train it right?
I would stay away from backyard breeders if you are thinking of the kijiji route, I'm sure there are some reputable breeders that may use it to advertise though. In all honesty, I would save a little extra and go with a good breeder with decent blood lines and MAKE SURE THE DAM AND SIRE HAVE HIP/EYE OR OTHER HEALTH CLEARANCES!! Do you want to see it have bad joints at a young age?.. Does it have to come from a field trial or hunting pedigree? No, but you might be surprised at what kind of results you see out of a dog with a proven bloodline. If they are a knowledgable breeder they might even help you out by choosing a pup that will fit your lifestyle and training habits as well. Choose wisely, don't rush into it.
Theres another forum that may help you out as well, hope this isn't against rules by posting it… www.canadianhuntingdogs.com They have puppy classified ads on there available when you become a member
That being said, you don't need to spend ridiculous money either, I have a chocolate that i paid $600 for and parents were checked for hip/eye etc. and he hunts very well, and is a great dog all around. My other black lab pup I paid $1000 for with a great bloodline and parents were obviously checked as well for hip/eye, breeder actually selects the pups for he customer and has great success doing so with a lot of dogs being successful in the hunt test/ field trial areas. This pup also came with, I do believe, a 30 month guarantee on him. I think if you upped your spending cap just a bit you will be pleasantly surprised!
safehunter
Regular
- Location
- South Western Onterrible
^^^^ LISTEN TO THIS ^^^^
Whatever you save on paying for Kijiji, you'll be dishing out twice as much in vet bills.
I'm a fan of https://www.petfinder.com . Don't be afraid of rescue. Find a reputable organization that has their animals checked by a vet.
Arg! Now I'm looking at puppy pictures.
Whatever you save on paying for Kijiji, you'll be dishing out twice as much in vet bills.
I'm a fan of https://www.petfinder.com . Don't be afraid of rescue. Find a reputable organization that has their animals checked by a vet.
Arg! Now I'm looking at puppy pictures.
that would be a hit or miss kind of situation. the likely hood of hunt drive would be unknown as well as any genetic downfalls.
reputable lab breeders try to breed out many of the known genetic problems that are known in the breed.
when you get a pup from a hunting lab breeder those risks are lowered, not diminished but just lowered.
i would suggest contacting some hunting lab breeders and ask them that exact same question.
the answer you would get would of coarse be in favor of a breeder hunting lab but it will also inform you of some things you may want to consider when looking at lab puppies if deciding to buy from kijiji.
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Labs can have numerous health issues and I would strongly suggest ensuring that both parents be checked for issues already mentioned.
I was also looking for a good dog for some time and almost caved to my second choice - a lab - when I was directed to the Traditional Working Airedale Terrier website and ended up with my fist choice - an Airedale Terrier. The folks on that forum have lots of experience and breed their dogs for field work. Airedales are basically a jack of all trades and are used for all kinds of hunting though I think they excel on fur. Now here is another good part - these guys aren't "breeders" in the typical way. They usually have litters when they want to replace one of their aging dogs or have a couple of outstanding hunters and want to keep the lines going. Puppies generally sell for around US$400-$500. There is a fellow here in BC who has litters every once in awhile - Airy Mountain Airedales - and there is another fellow just South of Calgary whose handle on the TWAF is "Ranger". It is also easy to head South of the border to bring a pup back to Canada.
I suggest you get a user name and log into the forum. Have a read and ask a bunch of questions. Good luck!
Here are a couple of pictures of my "old style" (short hair) Airedale:
I was also looking for a good dog for some time and almost caved to my second choice - a lab - when I was directed to the Traditional Working Airedale Terrier website and ended up with my fist choice - an Airedale Terrier. The folks on that forum have lots of experience and breed their dogs for field work. Airedales are basically a jack of all trades and are used for all kinds of hunting though I think they excel on fur. Now here is another good part - these guys aren't "breeders" in the typical way. They usually have litters when they want to replace one of their aging dogs or have a couple of outstanding hunters and want to keep the lines going. Puppies generally sell for around US$400-$500. There is a fellow here in BC who has litters every once in awhile - Airy Mountain Airedales - and there is another fellow just South of Calgary whose handle on the TWAF is "Ranger". It is also easy to head South of the border to bring a pup back to Canada.
I suggest you get a user name and log into the forum. Have a read and ask a bunch of questions. Good luck!
Here are a couple of pictures of my "old style" (short hair) Airedale:
It is always difficult to lose and replace a loyal hunting companion but as it will be hopefully a 12 to 15 year commitment worrying overmuch about the initial cost is a false economy. All reputable hunting line breeders offer health guarantees of their dogs and breed their dogs for hunting drive , stable behaviour and health. Labs like all purebreds can have health issues but the risk is minimized by getting a quality dog from the get go rather than a perceived bargain from the newspaper. I wish you the best of luck in finding a great dog that fits your needs
