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Post by dinorocks on Jan 23, 2014 14:45:40 GMT -5
Although not directly related to trapping, I really value your opinions as outdoor enthusiasts. Mods, my feelings will not be hurt if you pull this post. Well our fox, 12 chickens, and hamster are not cutting it any longer for my 8 yr old daughter Carly…nor are the stuffed dog animals that her relatives give her for Christmas and birthday each year. Carly has wanted a dog ever since she could talk. I have been "kicking that can down the road" as long as I could…don’t get me wrong, I like dogs (I worked for a vet for 5 years and started college studying to become a veterinarian…and somehow I became a geologist). I understand that there is not one dog breed that fills all the niches, just like there is not a one-stop fly rod or universal trap for that matter. With that said, I do have some important traits I would like in a dog and was hoping I could get some dog breed suggestions from all y’all to look into before my wife and daughter buy a dog without my input. Dog size: medium’ish Dog disposition: good with kids and trustworthy Dog coat: non-allergenic (I grew up with a White West Highland Terrier which had “hair” instead of “fur” making it non-allergenic)…my son is “allergic” to certain dogs and cats…luckily the furbearers we catch handle do not bother him…go figure . Things I want out of dog (in rough order of importance): ability to take out hunting for rabbits and land birds (I have never done either), jump in the creek behind my house to bring me a duck that I shot (again, never shot a duck either), good in a canoe while I’m fishing, and good on the trail while hiking. Maybe chase a coon up a tree. Helping me track wounded hoofed animals would be nice too. Carly and my wife suggest that some type of pointer might work with my interests. Again, I appreciate any suggestions to get me searching on the right direction! Also please let me know if there are some other things I should consider when choosing a dog. Thanks, Dino
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Post by silentnight on Jan 23, 2014 14:55:26 GMT -5
imo thats a tough one to fulfill!! sounds like you need 2 dogs lol ;-) seems like a smart cur dog would be able to chase you a coon up a tree,(and squireels) possibly run a rabbit, maybe even jump some birds, idk how they are for retrievers though. talk to mr flatiron about them or buckbuster...
good luck in your search wish i could help more!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2014 15:05:56 GMT -5
Only dog used for rabbits I know of is a beagle or a basset.
Go with a border collie, 200% more intelligent and obedient then any dog out there. Can be trained to do anything.
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Post by tony1967 on Jan 23, 2014 15:08:01 GMT -5
I have had yellow labs for the past 9 years and they have been great. Haven't done much hunting with them, but they are super with kids and very smart. Would fit the bill for your bird hunting and duck retrieval. Not sure about the allergy stuff, although I have allergy to pet dander and the wife's cats annoy me more (in more ways than just allergies) than the lab. Good luck in your search!
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Post by 160andup on Jan 23, 2014 15:29:45 GMT -5
Yup sounds like a labrador would be a good fit. I will never be without a lab in my life, doesn't get much more loyal and they're fun to work with in the field or water. I have two labs right now. That being said, I sure do love my brittany too, and probably wont be without one of them either. A brittany is a fun little dog and both brits and labs have great personalities for kids (In my experience). Good luck in your search!
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Post by arrowsmith on Jan 23, 2014 15:52:58 GMT -5
Have a good friend that works with NAVHDA, North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association. He personally runs German and English pointers, but he did mention this breed that I believe is Hypo-allergenic and should do just about all you need. cedarwoodgundogs.com/history.asp I personally love my Beagles for all but retriever work, but hypo they are not!
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Post by papabear on Jan 23, 2014 16:01:29 GMT -5
Dear Friend, an Ole Yeller cur dog or an Australian Blue Healer. Both are intelligent, family loyal, eager to please, easily trainable, tough, low maintenance, did I mention intelligent. Regards
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Post by stewa107 on Jan 23, 2014 16:07:10 GMT -5
Ive had german shorthairs that fit that bill. They absolutly loved the kids, were very intelligent, hunted and trapped with me, and were very obediant. They can do all u ask but I feel they mey be a little fast for rabbits. I ised my male hunting grouse and retrieving, my female was my kids dog and she stayed in the house. Ive owned several breeds over the years and they are tops in my book
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Post by bearman60 on Jan 23, 2014 16:17:07 GMT -5
tough job but i am partial to beagles!
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tomsnare
It's a good time to be a trapper!
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Post by tomsnare on Jan 23, 2014 16:40:48 GMT -5
I like airedales an irish cross would be interesting or a border collie cross-------every dog I've had is different they can be very protective never had to worry about my kids with them had one that loved to hunt turkeys and hated porkys and field lions------they all hated field lions!--------Tom
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tmc
#2 Newhouse
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Post by tmc on Jan 23, 2014 18:01:05 GMT -5
I was also going to mention the Airedale, but not sure about the allergy part.
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Post by bearpaws on Jan 23, 2014 18:12:14 GMT -5
I had same problem with allergies. Had to put lab down about 3 years ago haven't had dog since. Kids wanted dog again .Knew how that was gona go. Me walking training and feeding so inquired with trainer I know about hypoallergenic hunting dog. Mentioned designer mut breeds even though I knew what he would say! LOL! Its all about parents and grandparents yada yada yada. He says Ill get back to you. Called me back week later told me irish water spaniel or pudelpointer. Didn't like look of spaniel so looked into pudelpointer. Pudel WHAT! Started inquiring with different breeders and landed with PINE RIDGE PUDELPOINTERS. His name is Mike Pallota and there in CANADA. As far as shedding goes he does shed but very little. You have to get long haired one.Thats one thing that they don't have down yet and the coat varies from long to short. The longer the hair more hypoallergenic. So far so good. Was just on his website to get phone number and my pups sire is on there as started dog his name is REX. That will give you idea of the look. GOOD LUCK! Jim
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2014 18:19:01 GMT -5
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Post by stewa107 on Jan 23, 2014 18:56:40 GMT -5
German shorthairs are definitely a match to all your criteria
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Post by underspring on Jan 23, 2014 19:52:28 GMT -5
Airedales are non allergenic and non shedding. They can do anything other dogs can do and usually do it better.....except maybe the rabbits. Really incredible animals.
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Post by hdspratley on Jan 23, 2014 19:55:52 GMT -5
I'd go with a well bred English lab
Sent from my XT907 using proboards
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Post by hdspratley on Jan 23, 2014 19:56:35 GMT -5
Or a well bred aierdale
Sent from my XT907 using proboards
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Post by traphead2 on Jan 23, 2014 20:57:42 GMT -5
after looking over your "specifics" the breed that instantly came to mind for me was WEIMARANER. ive seen them and hunted with them on squirrels,geese,ducks,pheasants,fox....love to retrieve....great in boats.....awesome on tracking fur on the trap line...fantastic with kids and awesome guard/watch dogs......send me a pm if your interested i can give you the name and number of a friend who has been raiseing/breeding them for years
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Post by dinorocks on Jan 23, 2014 23:26:44 GMT -5
Wow, thanks for all the suggestions! That helps alot..gives me a great spot to start researching...sounds like I may need more that one!
NYredfox...if my daughter sees those picts I may not have a choice!
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Post by trappermac on Jan 24, 2014 5:42:48 GMT -5
I've owned a Brittany (my first dog at 16, a little high strung), 2 English Setters (best field dogs I ever had, again a bit high strung), an English Springer Spaniel (tough, versatile, but a little heady), a Golden (great family dog, not the strongest hunting instincts upland) and now a Lab. I've found nothing more versatile than the Lab. We do a lot of canoe camping and backpacking and the Lab has been a great boat and trail dog, loves kids and will play and retreive all day for my grandaughters, will hunt whatever YOU show interest in, loyal, easy to train, great watch dog. I've hunted pheasant and grouse over him along with waterfowl, and if you encourage it he will flush rabbits. Our pond is his play toy. Smarter than most people I know.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2014 6:18:29 GMT -5
Smarter than most people I know. Yes but your from the southern tier, so that really does not count
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Post by silverfox on Jan 24, 2014 6:56:51 GMT -5
personal preference of course, however German Short hair would also be my choice based on your criteria (ive had one for 9 years now), ive had several LABs and loved them but none more universal than my German Short hair, smart, extremely obedient and loyal, great with kids, is a hunting fanatic (a little too much sometimes as hes brought home everything from red fox, woodchuck, fisher cat, and many other small critters, but does well when i take him out, as soon as he sees the gun in hand hes all business) retrieves well, and in the evening loves to curl up and cuddle, only caution i would throw is make sure he or she has room to burn calories daily!!! very energetic dog, but not in a hyper way like some labs IMO,
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2014 6:58:18 GMT -5
Smarter than most people I know. Yes but your from the southern tier, so that really does not count Watch it "flat lander".
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Post by 2labs on Jan 24, 2014 7:03:58 GMT -5
Of course I am partial to Labradors !!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2014 7:06:37 GMT -5
Our GSP is just over 4 months old and I notice the drive already, that silver fox talks about. She is a typical playful, fun loving, obnoxious little puppy at home, bit when I take her out checking traps, she is all business... She already tells me which rat huts are being utilized and which are not... Very smart and driven dog! She came from a litter of 14.... We bought her from a guy that's on this forum (super duty). He does a phenomenal job with them.... Not sure how soon he will be breeding his again, after that whopping litter....
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