Suggestions on my first hunting dog?

Go on Google and put in labrador breeders TN, tons of breeders come up including this site:

http://www.gundogbreeders.com/breeders-tennessee/

(even more come up on the search so just check them all out).

Take your time, email and call around. Find the closest ones and take a ride. Tell the breeders your goals and what kinds of decisions you are having a problem with. Make a list and say the same thing to several of them, eventually one or 2 will stand out. They will answer your questions realistically, they will have nice dogs and a nice space (kennel). If you get comfortable with them and develop a good rapport, you will have an invaluable resource down the line.

Don't be afraid to talk dog with these folks, most of them are passionate about what they do and look forward to conversing on the subject. If they don't have a dog available, the can generally point you in a direction to those who are expecting or already have some ready.

Another possible thought is that if you don't want a puppy but want a full grown dog, breeders every now and again have a proven adult to sell. Just another option to think about...

 

Labs are such badass hunting dogs... Just depends on the Dogs personality too.

 

WEIMARANER ....

 

Go with a lab. If your looking for a bird dog. They are easier to train and more eager to please than most other retrieving breeds. Especially if it's your first bird dog.

Pedigree and papers are good things but labs are so common that you can find them anywhere. If your looking for one I would just make sure you can see both parents and make sure they are hunters.

The hunting drive is usually passed down from the parents so you wanna make sure they are hunters.


My lab was retrieving doves at 4 months. And training her is about as easy as explaining what I want her to do and then her doing it. One of her parents had papers but I could care less. She's a hunting machine.

 

Beautiful chocolate. Mine was the same way, never knew his parents but same, he was a non stop hunting machine. Smartest and most willing to learn dog I have ever seen.

I love the pic of her hunting, I have the exact same vest for mine as you. As soon as I pull it out he knows its time to go hunting. His entire attitude changes when that vest goes on, he knows its time to work.

 

^^^^^Been breeding Vizsla's for 20 years, True walking gun dog. To have a nice one for the field trial world takes time and $. My pups start at 1500 and it takes me 3 to 4 years to have them ready for comp with other dogs. Just a meat dog is alot ez'er as they can get away with more stuff. Mine have to stand to wing and shot and fetch only when I send them. I work my dogs everyday but Nov And Dec 25. If you think just wanting a good dog is all it takes to have one, keep thinking.. GLOP,, Jim

 

Anyone ever hear of Canaans as hunting dogs? Seems like the israeli special forces dog would be pretty good at that stuff. NO real idea though, I just always liked them.

 

Add another vote for a Lab. I have a black lab and she is so awesome. Very easily trained and really enjoys the water and is also excellent in the house as a family dog.

 

I want a treeing walker coon hound.

 

Here is my Lab, Gunner. He's my best friend and couldn't ask for more in a dog. I don't bird hunt, and feel bad about that because I know he'd be great at it. Loves the water, always carries his toy bear or duck around. He is hyper but Labs are probably the only breed I'll ever own.

 

I forgot to post a pic. Here are my two pals.



I have never seen a dog love water and fetching so much before...What an awesome dog. Great family pet and also great company in the woods

 

Im kind of stuck. We have a good friend that has bird dogs but he told me i shouldnt get a bird dog because we dont really have bird hunting where i live.(which is a good point.) He told me to get a hound dog or something for raccon hunting and bear hunting. Then he has a friend that has some pups. So we will see what happens.

Lets keep seeing your dogs and advice. Maybe some advice on training a dog? We have 2 acres on top of a hill then our neighbors let me use there land for anything anytime(as long as its not permanent) and they together have about 50 acres. But any advice on keeping it in my yard? Im sure the neighbors wont want land mines.

 

I'm digging all the photos of some awesome dogs...

 

I love my Redbone Coon Hound Mutts


The Brother Sister Duo

 

Just an update. I still haven't gotten a dog. I just finished building a sleeping area for my dog and im about to buy a shock collar to keep the dog close to the house (90ft) for during the day time when im at school or work. Im still debating on what kind of breed i want. I was recently just offered a experienced hound used for bear hunting. But for some reason i really want a german shorthaired pointer ( even though there is not much bird hunting here) maybe i could train it to fetch antlers, dead deer, and tree some raccons.

 

Another vote for a lab, but I would highly recommend a black, my dad has had black labs all his life 2 years ago we got a yellow and she seems to be wired different from all the blacks we have had ( harder to train and just wants to go go go all the time) not exactly a bad thing but its just different for us. All the chocolates I've met have been pretty numb in the head.

 

When I was a kid my grandparents had a German shorthaired pointer and it bit me and killed the dog next door, one bad experience doesn't ruin a breed though. Have you looked into a Brittany spaniel as a pointer? We have a Brittany for pheasants and a yellow lab for ducks

 

Color doesn't matter. It's all about breeding and the parents. I've seen several chocolate labs that are exceptional field and comp dogs. Including mine.

As far as basic intelligence I would put my lab up against most peoples kids haha

 

You ought to go and really read up on the different breeds more, really study. Find out their history, health issues, mental issues, what kind of problems people have with certain breeds, ask yourself if you get a girlie and end up having kids 5 years from now, how will the breed you're choosing work with a baby, or anything else you might be planning in your life down the road.

Don't feel like you have to rush it. Avoid the temptation of the 'desire' to have it right now.

Trust me dude, not all dogs and breeds are equal, if you pick the wrong dog, you will know it. But if you really take your time, learn which dogs are best for what, how and why were they bred for particular jobs. A lot of breeds have other mixes thrown into their lines to help push certain traits. Knowing what other breeds are mixed in might make you think twice about what you pick.

Do your due diligence, you got a long term commitment ahead and it's only fair to you and the dog. You both will be happy you did...