Used to do a lot of duck and goose hunting and always had labs. My last and favorite died a decade ago, but since now I only hunt waterfowl occasionally with friends who have dogs, I've been thinking of a different breed. I've been thinking of a Rott, a mastiff of one persuasion or another, or a Rhodesian Ridgeback. He'll be a housedog, but limited to my rooms.

My daughter recently moved out with her Poms and my wife wants to get another Pom, so getting along with a little dog is an issue. But I need a real dog.

Welcome anyone's thoughts on breeds and breeders.

My pick would be a Ridgeback. Good with family, good protector and easy going.

Blackmouth Cur
Smart, eager to please, loyal, protective.
I have kept as many as 3 in the house at one time. If I'm home they are welcoming. If I'm not home I don't need to lock my doors.
Plus I hunt squirrels, coon and cats with them.

After being a profession waterfowl hunter for over 25 years this is what was I was taught from my Grandfather who learned from his Father. When they were not market hunting they were running hunts out of Currituck for high society New Yorkers. They saw all types of exotic breeds trying to do all types of hunts. It is quite simple.

If you want a duck dog get a Lab.
If you want a quail dog get a Setter or Pointer.

Everything else is a pet.

I currently own several dogs and have had just about everything from Shorthairs to Boykins. For the sole purpose of hunting, the above statement is true. Go ask any Vet what he thinks is the smartest dog breed. He will either say German Shepard or Lab.
I have seen some epic Chesapeakes but I can not use one because I am scared they will bite my clients. They are part Rottweiler and can be mean. Interesting fact about Chesapeakes is that market hunters breed them not only for hunting. They would have to leave their ducks and geese overnight in a wagon next to the railway for pickup to NYC. The Chesapeak would lay on top of the ducks and guard them from theft. Regardless of what you decide, I could not imagine living on this Earth without owning a dog. It is proven that they can lower your heart rate and relieve stress.

I always thought of a Rhodesian Ridgeback as more of a hound than a waterdog. I know a farmer in Africa that has one and the dog is crazy about chasing Baboons.

I have experience with Rotts and German Shepherds. Out of the two I prefer the Shepherd.

I currently have a Belgian Malinois and he is pretty good dog. Needs lots of exercise though or he is a royal pain in the ass. I liken his energy level to that of a Jack Russel Terrorist. Full of energy from the time he wakes up until he sleeps. Bastard eats 12 measured cups of food a day and still has his ribs showing.

Thanks for the input everyone. Cap!, you're spot on about Chessies. Had a buddy who had one and we hunted together a lot, with my chocolate, and they even got along (both males, so I was surprised). The Chessie would even come greet me every morning and want a pat on the head. One day we hunted separately and my buddy had shot a banded bird. At the end of the hunt, the Chessie was laying next to "his" birds and I bent down to take a look at the band. I thought he was going to take my arm off -- and he knew me. Plus, they smell so I don't think they'd be a good house dog.

quote:

I could not imagine living on this Earth without owning a dog.

me 2
ever think of a golden retriever - probably one of the best family dogs ever

Check out flatcoated retrievers. Luna is my fourth flatcoat and she is a wonderful family dog and an amazing hunting dog. Flushing retriever and water dog. They have a perpetual puppy streak that makes them entertaining. My Luna is a great house dog but needs exercise/walking/play time etc. She is great with children and generally loves people. Very few breeders so they are hard to find. Beautiful dogs!

I have another Blue Heeler. Love that breed!VERY territorial + will die to defend their territory + people.When I had my 1st one ages ago she would try to herd the kids back home on their bikes.Never took one duck hunting but their desire to please would'nt surprise me.Not a spaniel or a water dog but a true friend + hunting pal.A good dog is a friend for life.

BTW Bill,if you make it down this way + want to come out to the ranch,you can meet Princess;a true sweetheart.You are welcome.

Lavaca,
I have had south african boerboels for 15 plus years now. I only mention as you mentioned mastiffs. They are a large breed dog and are protective of family. Can be dog aggessive to new dogs. Not really a go play in the park woth other dogs kind of dog. Look into them if yo want a loysl and protective dog who will he great with family

Lavaca, know that flatcoats have shortened life expectancies due to their history .
Get the only love money can buy ! And proof , Don't forget Henry Ford's words .

I would suggest an airedale. Reasonably sized, tough, and loyal to the end.

Get a german shepherd and a continuous shedding world view

Mike

Mutt from the pound!

As much as I like G. Shepards(hip displacement an issue as well)my choice stays with the red + blue heelers. I've got a mix bitch that will love you to death or tear you a new one depending on how I act.Very territorial,protect home + property + woe be the intruders.She runs at night w/ the neighbors Rotty + it does keep the coyotes away.....so far.

Since you live in Texas Boerboel.

If you lived someplace more temperate, I'd pick a mastiff with more hair.

Grandkids? Newfoundland, funny I have only been here a year and I typed Neufounland firt! Damn Germans messing up my English skills.

quote:

Originally posted by TREE 'EM:
Blackmouth Cur
Smart, eager to please, loyal, protective.
I have kept as many as 3 in the house at one time. If I'm home they are welcoming. If I'm not home I don't need to lock my doors.
Plus I hunt squirrels, coon and cats with them.

A BMC is definitely a possibility. I have a 1.5 YO. He's a fiercely loyal dog, especially with my oldest daughter. He's wherever she is. In fact, he wants to be with whomever is out in the field. If I'm on the tractor, working in the yard etc., he's right there with me.

That being said, he's a different dog and I've seen some other BMC's that would not be a good family dog. Ours shares some of the BMC traits, he's very protective of our property and us, even with people he's familiar with(neighbor). He also doesn't take correction very well. He'll sulk for hours if you reprimand him and he thinks he failed you, so you have to watch how you correct him. (of course it doesn't help that the little sh!t has chewed up every one of my patio cushions). But he is a pretty cool dog that's real smart and loyal. Mine comes from the cattle dog bloodlines and he's pretty laid back. I've seen some from the hunting bloodlines that are too high strung for me.

A really cool dog to consider is an Italiano Spinone if you have the money and can find one.

Owned several breeds. Nothing compares to a
Deutch Drathar (German Wire Hair).

Shane Loveland
Vom Wasatch Kennels

You would be happy with one, I am sure

Second an the Airedale.

My Weimaraner was a great family dog and a good hunter (sometimes too good). I can't speak for the entire breed, but my dog Gaius was loyal, intelligent to a fault and had a great nose. There is not a day that goes by that I don't miss him.

Hands Down... Boxer...

Narrowed down to a ridgeback, a boerbull or a malamois.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
Narrowed down to a ridgeback, a boerbull or a malamois.

Of those three, for the environment you describe, I think a Malinois is the best by far.

I knew some folks who fell in love with Boerboels in Africa. They had a gentleman's farm with decent amount of land. They went through the task of importing two dogs. They promptly wiped out his small herd of prize sheep, every duck, chicken or goose within a mile and were general menaces to all. They had professional trainers work with them and their opinion was most are bred to be serious guard dogs and not pets. They gave them away.

Hey Gato, I never could spell, but I think I agree with you.

quote:

Originally posted by Sevens:
Mutt from the pound!

+ 1. Can be the very best and often just grateful to have a home.

Cane Corso or a Dogo, no need to settle for anything less.

Get another Lab. They are just fantastic all around dogs.

quote:

Get another Lab. They are just fantastic all around dogs.

I couldn't agree more EXCEPT I interpret his "new" dog wishes to include some type of guard dog/protective ability. With very rare exceptions, Labs will lick an intruder to death.

I've never heard of a lot of those exotic dogs but I do know if you get a red/blue heeler pup from ranch/farm stock, you've got a dog. Tenacious, loyal, smart, and very family oriented.
IMO, you missed the boat when you didn't get one of those border collie/heeler crossses that Gordo was giving away. It was all I could do not to drive down to TX and get one.

I have a young female BMC that I can not keep. She jumps my fence, and my Neighbors are more important. Price is right, free, come get her!

Get a genuine versatile dog, a Wire-Haired Pointing Griffon. They're good water dogs that will point in the upland and retrieve on land and in the drink.

Rosie's best friends are big 100 pound Rocky and our little Buster the Cairn terrier. She's extremely friendly, but she's all business afield.

Gato's comments are right on. I've owned a lot of labs and they pretty much like everyone. My old chocolate tried to bite only two people in his whole life. What was interesting is that he was a very good judge of character, but when I say tried, he never actually bit either of them.

One was my 16 year old son's 18 year old girlfriend, who turned out to have drug issues. The second was the guy at the feed store where I bought dogfood who I later found out had hit on my wife when she was there, with my dog, to pick up food. As I said though, he never drew blood.

Never had one but those Griffon's are really cute. Cutest puppy I've ever seen was an 8wk old Griffon, hands down! But your problem is not the dog but rather the wife. Get yourself a new lab pup. When you get it home, send the wife out to find a pom puppy. Just as she leaves change all the locks on the doors and don't let her back in. I'd move a couch on the porch for her and throw in a blanket for the cold month's. You should both then be very happy! :-) How in hell can a woman not like a gun dog?

If you need a loyal bodyguard virtually unstoppable ,buy a DOGO ARGENTINO but bear in mind that you must be always with him and they are very territorial ,they hunt partriges and hogs and anything ,they point like pointers .
Another dog smaller but very smart and loyal are malinois they will take care of your family .Rhodesians are a great breed too .
Cheers Juan

If it is a watchdog, why not an Anatolian Shepard?

They are big, but very protective of family.

For a companion dog, a Rat Terrier is hard to beat. They are entertaining and sharp as a tack.

They are very friendly, but make excellent watchdogs as they will bark if anyone approaches the house.

No worries about lawsuits from people getting bitten with those guys.

As an old duckhunter you need no advice on waterfowl dogs.

For upland game, I like GSPs, but some people prefer Brittany Spaniels.


BH63

I vote for the Ridgeback. We had one that was an outstanding family dog, protective, but not aggressive. Only lack of time and too much travel prevented us from replacing it. When I retire soon and travel less, we are getting another.
Ours enjoyed small game hunting with us, but never really contributed productively to the effort. Perhaps with training, she might have.

quote:

Ridgeback

My nephew had a ridgeback I was not impressed.

I had several breeds hunted with a bunch of others I keep going back to labs.

I did have a Australian/German shepherd cross very smart dog would hunt and retrieve anything.

I then trained her to be a house and personnel protection dog.

I worked with patrol and other police working dogs also.

I became to a firm believer that once you train a dog to bite you can not trust them.