I'm starting my research and thinking for getting not only my first bird dog, but my first dog of any kind. Here are my needs:
1. Versatility. I'm only going to be able to own 1 dog. That dog needs to hunt upland and potentially waterfowl. i live in CA, and any waterfowling would likely be in the Imperial valley. (desert) Winter temps in the 60s and 70s. Upland game is what I hunt now. Doves and quail so far, pheasants are tough here without a dog. Lots of scrub brush and foztails and goatheads and things.
2. Close-working. I walk when I hunt, and chasing a dog all over hell's half-acre isn't my idea of fun. Ideally, I'd like the dog to work as follows: Find the bird, and indicate to me where it is. The "form" of this indication is not as important as consistancy. Whatever the dog is doing to say "bird here", it should always do that. The dog should then wait for me to get into position for the shot, and, on command, flush the bird. After the bird falls, the dog should go get it and bring it back.
3. Good family dog. I've got 2 kids, 2 cats, a cockatiel, and 2 reptiles. We live in a 3 bedroom duplex with a fenced yard. A dog that needs to stay kennelled is a non-starter here, regardless of how good it is in the field. Ditto "one-person" dogs.
4. Forgiving in training. I've never owned a dog. In fact, until a few years ago, I was afraid of them. Leftovers from some bad childhood experiences. Now, being older and having interacted with some good dogs, I've come around. But I wouldn't want my inexperience to ruin a good gundog, or my investment in same. I need a dog that will allow me to make some mistakes in training, and still be a good field and home dog. I will be getting help in this department from local groups, but I'll also be doing quite a bit on my own, from books and such.
5. Here in CA, the birds seem to run a lot. At least that's my (dogless) experience. A dog that goes on point and stays there come hell or high water won't be much use. He needs to help me get the bird up in the air.
6. Good temperment, relative freedom from genetic defects, and widespread hunting ability within available lines. The show-bred "sporting dog" who's so un-birdy that he couldn't find a Tyson chicken in the trash can need not apply. It would seem that breeds with less of a show / field split would minimize the chances of this, but I'll certainly listen to the more experienced hunters / dogmen here.
Thanks for any advice offered!
--Shannon
1. Versatility. I'm only going to be able to own 1 dog. That dog needs to hunt upland and potentially waterfowl. i live in CA, and any waterfowling would likely be in the Imperial valley. (desert) Winter temps in the 60s and 70s. Upland game is what I hunt now. Doves and quail so far, pheasants are tough here without a dog. Lots of scrub brush and foztails and goatheads and things.
2. Close-working. I walk when I hunt, and chasing a dog all over hell's half-acre isn't my idea of fun. Ideally, I'd like the dog to work as follows: Find the bird, and indicate to me where it is. The "form" of this indication is not as important as consistancy. Whatever the dog is doing to say "bird here", it should always do that. The dog should then wait for me to get into position for the shot, and, on command, flush the bird. After the bird falls, the dog should go get it and bring it back.
3. Good family dog. I've got 2 kids, 2 cats, a cockatiel, and 2 reptiles. We live in a 3 bedroom duplex with a fenced yard. A dog that needs to stay kennelled is a non-starter here, regardless of how good it is in the field. Ditto "one-person" dogs.
4. Forgiving in training. I've never owned a dog. In fact, until a few years ago, I was afraid of them. Leftovers from some bad childhood experiences. Now, being older and having interacted with some good dogs, I've come around. But I wouldn't want my inexperience to ruin a good gundog, or my investment in same. I need a dog that will allow me to make some mistakes in training, and still be a good field and home dog. I will be getting help in this department from local groups, but I'll also be doing quite a bit on my own, from books and such.
5. Here in CA, the birds seem to run a lot. At least that's my (dogless) experience. A dog that goes on point and stays there come hell or high water won't be much use. He needs to help me get the bird up in the air.
6. Good temperment, relative freedom from genetic defects, and widespread hunting ability within available lines. The show-bred "sporting dog" who's so un-birdy that he couldn't find a Tyson chicken in the trash can need not apply. It would seem that breeds with less of a show / field split would minimize the chances of this, but I'll certainly listen to the more experienced hunters / dogmen here.
Thanks for any advice offered!
--Shannon