Hunting Dog? Family Dog?

[steveo007]

I'm looking into getting a dog, want a hunter but also a good family dog. I grew up hunting with my
father and his GSP so I'm kind of partial to them but don't know if they would also make a good family dog. I'd love to here your guys suggestions on a good duel purpose breed.

 

[Nicholas909]

All hunting dog breeds will be a good family dog. You need to decide on what you want to do with it, what size dog do you want, do you have small children?

 

[steveo007]

All hunting dog breeds will be a good family dog. You need to decide on what you want to do with it, what size dog do you want, do you have small children?

my boy is 5, I'm open to the size, by the way I've been following Dash on this sight and the Jagg has got my interest, are they good swimmers also?

 

[Nicholas909]

my boy is 5, I'm open to the size, by the way I've been following Dash on this sight and the Jagg has got my interest, are they good swimmers also?

Oh ya. Dash loves to swim. The videos are to big for me to download on here..
Jags have a ton of energy and are nonstop outside, but the min. They are inside they become couch potatos. D

 

[Nicholas909]

my boy is 5, I'm open to the size, by the way I've been following Dash on this sight and the Jagg has got my interest, are they good swimmers also?

Also my 3yr old nephew and dash get along great.

 

[TRICER]

Get a lab, weimareiner, golden, or GSP. All do both well. Remember they will be a family dog first and a hunting dog second. When you have kids and a wife this is important to remember. You can try the reverse but at least in my house with 4 homeschool kids and a wife she is a family dog first.
If you do get a GSP or a another upland style dog make sure your wife is cool with having a bottle of lightning in the house because they never, never have a lack of energy. I am partial to my Weim she has a ton of energy, loves water, I really think she bridges the family, retriever, and upland gap well. She is just as comfortable on my couch as she is diving into cold water and bringing me my ducks. She swims in the pool with the kids everyday.

 

[steveo007]

Get a lab, weimareiner, golden, or GSP. All do both well. Remember they will be a family dog first and a hunting dog second. When you have kids and a wife this is important to remember. You can try the reverse but at least in my house with 4 homeschool kids and a wife she is a family dog first.
If you do get a GSP or a another upland style dog make sure your wife is cool with having a bottle of lightning in the house because they never, never have a lack of energy. I am partial to my Weim she has a ton of energy, loves water, I really think she bridges the family, retriever, and upland gap well. She is just as comfortable on my couch as she is diving into cold water and bringing me my ducks. She swims in the pool with the kids everyday.

great info thanks for the response Truduct

 

[ilovesprig]

Stevo,

Just get a lab and be done with it.....There's a reason they're the #1 most popular breed in the country.

.

 

[Aeon]

i hear the black ones are best for hunting....

get a female black lab and be done with it , Raney Ranch can hook you up

 

[NBK]

Your hunting dog is your best friend. Everyone will tell you their breed or gender is the best. Do some homework and get what fits your personality.

My Dieter was an amazing pick for me. And I think he is the best. And for me he is!

 

[Nicholas909]

Your hunting dog is your best friend. Everyone will tell you their breed or gender is the best. Do some homework and get what fits your personality.

My Dieter was an amazing pick for me. And I think he is the best. And for me he is! View attachment 30133

Agreed.....

 

[Snake Charmer]

OK I'll climb back on my soap box again. Look into NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association) They recognize over thirty different breeds that are considered versatile in that they can be trained to perform in many different disciplines.Versatile dogs can be trained to do it all from bird work that includes waterfowl work, upland bird pointing and all the way to big game tracking. There are three different chapters here in so Cal go to one of the training days and look at some of the different breeds and talk with the owners about their experiences and likes , you will see that their is a breed for just about any persons desire as far as temperament and ability goes.

 

[Aeon]

Versatile is a marketing label created so a group of dogs could compete with black labs.

 

[ilovesprig]

Bill,

That's a great picture.....Any color lab is a good color (I actually prefer black).....I got a great yellow a number of years back and have just stayed with that color & bloodline with friends.....My next color will probably be chocolate from Yeager.....He's a pretty boy, 90 lbs, and he's all about pleasing.

.

 

[NBK]

60 lbs and does it all...

 

[MAG 1]

get a GSP and make her a female. Great with kids, raised my 4 girls around her and she was great. the male was a little rough.
my 2 cents great for hunting the valley.

 

[ilovesprig]

75 lbs and does it all..........

.

 

[stikbrandon]

Love my dog.

 

[NBK]

75 lbs and does it all..........

That last pic is a good one Steve!

 

[Snake Charmer]

Labs are great love em, we train a bunch every year and I like them as well as any other breed but they are what are called flusher's (run the bird up and chase them into flight) which is all well and good if you are close enough to take a shot. They don't point unless you acquire one bred to do so. In an upland environment with birds that hold this can put you at a disadvantage if your retriever hunts big and far. I'm just prejudice after working with versatile dogs and seeing what they can do compared to retrievers. All that being said to each his own. Get what suits your fancy...