i have a dilemma

  • SLACK
    HASTINGS, MN
    Posts: 711
    #1256516

    for the past month and a half my wife and kids have been presuring me for another dog, (right now we have a 6 yr old male springer) i’ve paid no attention to there requests, well monday i got home from 5 days of rooster hunting in SD and i was sitting on the couch with the dog talking to my daughter and she brought up the point that the dog can’t hunt for ever and that we should get another one now. well this got me thinking and i realized she was right. heres my dilemma, what kind of dog do i get? i love our sringer and if you’ve never rooster hunted with one you are missing one of the greatest hunting experiances ever. BUT they are very hyper, i mean all the time. my question is would another springer just compound hyperness or would the 2 dogs keep them selves occupied or should i get a differant kind of dog that would work good with our springer? any help or addvise from the dog guys would be greatly appreciated

    P.S. no lap dog comments please

    col._klink
    St Paul
    Posts: 2542
    #621447

    I have been talking with Don Hanson about the same questions. I am 100% positive that I am going to get a Black Lab in the spring. I am really excited!

    I Duck hunt more than anything so it fits for me. If you do a search on this website on Don Hanson I think you will be impressed with what he has to say. Maybe send him the same qeustions in a pm?

    martin_vrieze
    Eagan
    Posts: 484
    #621451

    I’ve got bad news for you…It don’t matter what kind of dog you get. Anytime you add a second dog to the mix you’re going to have mayhem and pandemonium.

    We just added a black lab to our family to go along with our golden retriever. To use All Star Wresting language…it’s a battle royal every day and night as the two dogs knock each other into the middle of next week.

    I wouldn’t have it any other way

    farmboy1
    Mantorville, MN
    Posts: 3668
    #621461

    I am sitting in the same boat as you, however I don’t think you should figure a new dog is needed because yours is 6 Y.O. My dog is about the same age, and I figured to get another 2 years before I bring another dog into the mix. I think I will hunt him hopefully until he is 10 giving me some overlap time between dogs. Another dog would be great, but I can only watch one hunt at a time anyways.

    I would be careful where this is going, they may be trying to get a “little yapper” dog

    david_scott
    Twin Cities
    Posts: 2946
    #621470

    Farmboy…

    I can understand your logic, but it doesnt always work that way. Our lab stepped in a hole(in the water) while duck hunting at the age of 6 and pulled something in one of his front shoulders, I had to retire him from hunting after that season except for a trip or 2 duck hunting when it was warm outside. Our lab just died a couple months ago at the age of 9 when it got some type of aggressive cancer that took him out over a couple months.

    I prefer owning more than one dog, especially when it comes to retrievers. The young dog is best to learn from the older dog when its in its prime if your not getting the pup professionally trained, or just have the desire to cut way down on training time.

    Owning more than one dog, yes, it can be anarchy, but generally in a good way. I like labs also. They are not only great hunting dog candidates, but they are very good family dogs with good temperment which is very important when you have kids. Just dont buy a German Wirehair Pointer, great hunting dogs, but they really have attitude issues(superiority complex) and cant be trusted around kids.

    Fife
    Ramsey, MN
    Posts: 4046
    #621491

    I have 2 year old dog and I already want a second one. I never know what might happen out there hunting and I would hate to have a week long trip to ND ruined by a sprained muscle or cut pad. Luckily I have access to a bunch of started dogs so I just grab one of those before my trip.

    Back to the question at hand: My cousin is on his 2nd and 3rd springers and he has many friends that have multiple springers also. When I have seen the two dogs out at the same time, they do not interact very much. Of course during hunting they are completely focused on the task at hand, but even in the yard or house they are very independent. His friend has 2 as well that react the same way. Hope this helps. I have a lab, but its always a treat to hunt behind his springers. I think their legs have built in pogo sticks.

    farmboy1
    Mantorville, MN
    Posts: 3668
    #621495

    Quote:


    I can understand your logic, but it doesnt always work that way. Our lab stepped in a hole(in the water) while duck hunting at the age of 6 and pulled something in one of his front shoulders, I had to retire him from hunting after that season except for a trip or 2 duck hunting when it was warm outside. Our lab just died a couple months ago at the age of 9 when it got some type of aggressive cancer that took him out over a couple months.


    I agree with you Dave, and sorry about you dog

    The best laid plans can change very quickly.

    kurtkid
    South metro
    Posts: 194
    #621503

    Quote:


    Farmboy…

    I prefer owning more than one dog, especially when it comes to retrievers. The young dog is best to learn from the older dog when its in its prime if your not getting the pup professionally trained, or just have the desire to cut way down on training time.

    Owning more than one dog, yes, it can be anarchy, but generally in a good way. I like labs also. They are not only great hunting dog candidates, but they are very good family dogs with good temperment which is very important when you have kids. Just dont buy a German Wirehair Pointer, great hunting dogs, but they really have attitude issues(superiority complex) and cant be trusted around kids.


    Mr. Scott, I take exception to your statement regarding do not buy a wirehair. Any dog can be a problematic with kids, to isolate wirehairs, and say they are not good with kids, is misleading. You sir are supposed to be on the field staff. Your should be a bit more careful with your statements. Shawn Kurth GWP owner.

    wade_kuehl
    Northwest Iowa
    Posts: 6167
    #621521

    Quote:


    Mr. Scott, I take exception to your statement regarding do not buy a wirehair. Any dog can be a problematic with kids, to isolate wirehairs, and say they are not good with kids, is misleading. You sir are supposed to be on the field staff. Your should be a bit more careful with your statements. Shawn Kurth GWP owner.


    Shawn, It’s only an opinion. Readers can take it or leave it. Dave’s not claiming to be an expert on dogs. It’s just his opinion of one dog breed. That doesn’t make it fact. Dave’s a field staffer here and we appreciate his help, especially his contributions on catfishing. But we also need to allow him to give his opinion on other topics. Everybody has their own opinion and can share it here. We welcome yours as well. You have a different opinion than Dave and we appreciate you sharing it.

    (I’m only stepping in to make this statement because it seems like any post related to dogs evetually gets heated. We’re apparently pretty passionate abotu our dog opinions here. )

    I’ll add, I’m a lab fan. I’ve had a few over the year and right now we have a 2 year old yellow lab. She’s an incredible dog and great with the kids.

    SLACK
    HASTINGS, MN
    Posts: 711
    #621523

    ok lets all calm down here and stick to the task at hand.

    first off i should mention that my kids are older (15 and 17) secondly there is only one alpha male in our house and that is me so no yappers allowed.thirdly our dog is a house dog and another would be also.

    that being said some really good points made and if we all work together i think we can find me, i mean us a new dog keep the input coming

    one more thing is the only hunting i do with the dog is pheasants and maybe the rare grouse hunt

    dave-barber
    St Francis, MN
    Posts: 2100
    #621531

    Do not, I repeat, do NOT buy a miniature rat terrier for hunting… Hunting pheasants… the pheasants just laugh at them. And hunting ducks… well, one average sized muskie or pike swimming by on the retrieve… and you are looking for a new hunting partner.

    Just my opinion.

    dave-barber
    St Francis, MN
    Posts: 2100
    #621534

    Oh… and on that same note… Chihuahuas are ok… for pheasants. Their insessent shaking seems to mock an angry badger and those pheasants take off quick.

    DaveB
    Inver Grove Heights MN
    Posts: 4469
    #621536

    We are currently fostering a 10 year old male black lab that doesnt hunt.

    He is basically good as an average low grade vaccum. But if anyone wants a mellow old friend, he is perfect!

    jp_mason
    Onalaska, WI
    Posts: 128
    #621673

    DaveB, very well put. On Tuesday, I had to put our dog down. He wasn’t a hunting dog either, but a very good vaccum. He was a black lab/cocker MUT, but he was one of the better pets (FREIND) I have had. He was 15 years old and his body just couldn’t keep up. The hardest part was telling my two sons (10 & 13) the he had died. Someday I will think about another, but time will be needed to heal the lost.

    can22
    Posts: 60
    #622315

    My boy has a pointing lab what a sweet dog and can it hunt!! with your hunting pheasants mite be a great fit. looseing a dog is not any fun either I just fish now.hope you all have a good fall

    Stan

    dodge_boy
    Minocqua, Wi
    Posts: 554
    #622397

    I have a 3 year old springer and will always have a springer in my house. Great family dog and great hunter. Grew up hunting behind one so I guess I am partial to them. 1 1/2 years ago my wife got me a weimer as a gift. I have watched him pick up on things in the field from my springer that I could never teach him. This breed is very gentle and quick to pick up on commands. Adding a second dog is never a mistake in my mind. But I shouldn’t talk I have 4. 2 couch potato cockers fill out the rest of the pack. Wrestle mania is just one of the joys of dog ownership. Wouldn’t have it any other way.

    FRIVERS2
    Posts: 240
    #622466

    You might consider a Jack Russell Terrier; they are great at hunting mice, ground hogs and large dogs.

    But never take your Jack Russell in the boat. All those lab and Chessie guys will just laugh at your dog. One guy had to nerve to ask me if I was going to use the dog for catfish bait.

    Seriously, I see nothing wrong with someone that wants to state an opinion regarding a specific breed.

    Don Hanson
    Posts: 2073
    #622475

    Some things to consider that will hopefully make your decision eaiser. Your expense for pet care will be higher. You will have to allow yourself more time, your going to have to spend time with each dog individually.
    When you decide to bring the new dog in, do the introduction away from home first. The meeting will be easier to handle on neutral turf. It is easier also to add a dog that is not the same sex. Don’t leave food or toys out that can be shared. More than likely the dogs won’t interact much, as stated in another post- most act independantly at home and in the field. I do like the idea of having a second dog to use for hunting and as the new dog gets older things will get easier.

    wade_kuehl
    Northwest Iowa
    Posts: 6167
    #622487

    I’m still amazed by the temperment of labs and how good they are with children. When raised right, I can’t imagine them harming a child (of course there’s a lways a chance). You have to teach the children to treat the dog right because most of the time they would just sit there and take any abuse from a child without defending themselves. The point is, if you want a dog that is great in the field and with the kids, it’s tough to beat a lab.

    Halloween 2007…

    FRIVERS2
    Posts: 240
    #622541

    Wade, muy son has two yellow labs and my neighbor a black lab, and I could not agree more with your comments. I am a German Shepherd fan and owner, but the kid’s labs are great.

    I won’t say much about Springer Spaniels, except that those dogs are probably more suited to the type of hunting the original poster does then a lab.

    My point is each of us has dogs for somewhat different reasons, and our decision regarding which breed in based on those reasons.

    As for having two dogs, I doubt getting a second lab would be an issue. Two Spring Spaniels might, as might a second German Shepherd on my end.

    A while back there was a similar post and I made the statement, simply as a compliment that Chessie’s were mean and tough. The statement was made based on my experience, after meeting several Chessie’s, at numerous Dock Diving contests across the Midwest.

    I got blasted, big time, for using the term mean. It was perhaps the wrong word to use, but I meant to imply I admire and respect those Chessie’s.

    The bottom line is know your breed, the pluses and minuses, and be willing to except differing opinions.

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