Noone takes me seriously on the Poms, but I've heard they make really good tracking dogs and that she-bitch-from-hell that my daugher has could take on the devil himself. She could hold her own with any Jack Russell. Give me a male with her personality and I'd use him to track anything.

Like Conifer sez...who knows...? Lots of good breeds out there...

I have had lots of labs, one wonderful giant Airedale, a pack of beagles...and now a treeing feist...they have all be unique and wonderful hunting partners and good family pets...

Our current dog...Beezer the mountain feist has been a total surprise...I knew she would be different..but what a unique hunting dog...not a slave to her nose, but smart enough to use all her senses..and still listen to me..and work to please me as well...

Death to squirrels and anything else that climbs trees is her motto... Highly intelligent, dedicated to family, a devoted sentry , and a ball of energy....she has proven to be a very loving, useful pet...sometimes too smart for her own good....we have to be careful talking around her because her understood vocabulary is so large...

Good luck on your choice...lots of good choices out there....

Z

Boykin!

Great little dogs!

Boykin

only one word ....... Airedale .

hunt safe wisent

Try a pointing lab (female)..you will be impressed and in love. Good noses, great drive and desire to please, and bed hogs.

Boxer..
Mine became a self taught Pointer, Flusher & Retriever just by tagging along on upland qail hunts here in So.Cal.. Love kids.. Heck, they're a kid them self's

Best friend I've ever had in life.. We had to put him down @ 12y/o four years ago and I still miss hime so much I've yet to get another..

RC

quote:

Originally posted by Grumulkin:


Breeds I'm considering:

4. Poodlepointer

Any other ideas or counsel?

This is the one and here is one of the best kennels in North America. http://www.cedarwoodgundogs.com

I have no affiliation with this kennel. Out of all the ones I've researched, this is the best.

quote:

Originally posted by Grumulkin:
I'm thinking of getting a dog. My wife wants a little dog while I prefer a bigger one perhaps in the 30 to 50 lb. range. Dog characteristics I'm looking for:

1. It shouldn't shed a lot.

2. It would be nice if it could be taught to track and retrieving would be a bonus.

3. It needs to be a good watch dog.

4. It will need to be housebroken.

5. It should not eat small children or our cat.

Breeds I'm considering:

1. Jack Russell Terrier

2. German Pincher

3. Doberman Pincher

4. Poodlepointer

Any other ideas or counsel?

Just curious.... what kind of dog did you end up getting?

I never ended up getting one. My wife said once I was retired, and could take full responsibility for it, I could get whatever I wanted.

I'm not ready to retire.

Get a dog. If she doesn't like it, get her another dog.

Dogs make life better. Hunting dogs make life and hunting much better.

I have been raising Jack Russells for 25 yrs. Not saying that is the way you need to go..... they are certainly not for everyone. But if you need info on them, I can help.

Out of all the comments on here, this is the right one

Deutsch Drathaar. Or, as us American's call them: German Wire hair pointers.

Get the German line (German Club registered/certified) line. Do not get the AKC line.
As much as I hate to admit, the German line is better. There are several clubs here in the states.

I have owned Labs, Britney Spaniels, German Shorthairs, and several other breeds. Although good, they did not compare to the Drathaar.

I was not a great trainer but this dog would point, retreeve ducks like no other dog I have owned. They will kill cats. However, if a pup is brought up with a family cat, it will be fine (my friend who trains them owns several Drathaars and a house cat).

Mine was excellent with my small kids and a great family dog. Little to no shedding too. It was an indoor/outdoor dog and was EASY to house train.

There you go!

I have had many hunting dogs ,i use the big game hunting dogs like the DOGO ARGENTINO as guard dogs too ,the dogos track and retrieve but they will kill your cat for sure.
Iwould recommend a big male lab the can be easily trained as guard dogs ,i have 3 labs that are very good guard dogs and they track and retrieve.
The german pointers all of them have a strong character and track and retrieve .
regards Juan

I've had mostly birds dogs all my live. When Bobwhite quil starte disapearing, I mostly quit. I'd raise the quail in a pen, and before I could get them hunted, som predator would snag them

My feelings are there are inside dogs, and outside dogs. Hunting dogs work poorly if kept inside as a pet.

My present mutt is a 12 lb miniture schnauzer who is hell on wheels and his other name is that little shit. I've never met a women that didn't fawn all over him (Where was he when I was single )

Anyway he is a great companion, loves everybody,and sleeps on the foot of our bed.

They are somewhat manipulative in trying to get their way but will keep you laughing multiple times a day. They don't shed but need grooming to shorten their hair.

beagle only dog worth owning and of course I only have a Lab now. The beagle is the only dog I have ever seen that would kill them self hunting. don't shed much. good with kids

I like Labs, but the shedding is horrible and they're usually bigger.

My friends have a great Springer Spaniel that's a good watchdog, smart, trainable, tracks, is great with kids, doesn't shed much (at least compared to my Lab), and is about the right size to possibly please you and your wife.

quote:

Wife is really wound up on the shedding issue, thanks to our Brittany, Aussie and mutt.

I love folks who write requirements for their next dog that clearly indicates they don't want a dog. If shedding is an issue, get a reptile. Sounds like you want a softer hunting dog. Definitely look at the Vizla. Most GSP are a bit edgey...look for the laid back variety.

These are great dogs...bred for tracking, calm, short coated and very smart. Not many in the US...my gunsmith in Germany breeds them...good dogs.
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwei%C3%9Fhund

GSP hands down. Mine will hunt until he collapses, will go through thick cover without having to tell him, and will work until he bleeds to put me on birds.

At the end of the day he sleeps on the bed and his best friend is a 5 lb. chihuahua! Seriously one of the best mannered and well rounded dogs I've ever seen.

quote:

Originally posted by Grumulkin:
I never ended up getting one. My wife said once I was retired, and could take full responsibility for it, I could get whatever I wanted.

I'm not ready to retire.

You will be too OLD to hunt by that time. Think retirement home. Grow some balls and tell your wife you're getting a dog whether she likes it or not. I just cannot believe that mens (husband s) are being dominated by wives nowadays. Is that why the homosexuality is so rampant in today society?