Thread: Part time hunting dog?

I want to buy a dog , but i live in town and dont have a big property (500m2)
I want the dog to be able to be controlled by my grandfather and children whilst i work so would have to be pretty chill, i really want a pointer but i think it will be to high maintenance.
I dont want to chain the dog up so fence jumping would be bad.
We Will be attending dog training classes.
Half hour of moderate exersize per day(chasing mountain bike)+ a walk with the grandfather/kids
Hunting wise probably a couple of days duck shooting days( auckland region) and maybe 3 paddock shoots and 2 bush deer trips a year.
What dog would be suitable?

Lab

Get a lab. Any of the pointing or Hunt Point Retrieve breeds will be too much energy for your circumstances. A vizsla might work as they are knowen as “Velcro dogs” but will need a reasonable amount of exercise

Based on the contact I've had with a GSP (feeding, walking, etc)for about 6 months, I think you'll probably find it's too much to handle unless you prove to be very good with dogs.

Not that I don't like the one I feed, but they do require attention. And they will let you know. Frequently. Loudly. Persistently.

lab cross....or a mongrel of some sort with lots of lab in it.....you are stuck with it for 10-15 years so choose wisely.....retrieving should be easy,its a never ending game for the kids and to make it "work" when on ducks is easy....I was anul about doing it correctly with my other dogs,the current bitch plays fetch with anyone silly enough to chuck ball/pinecone etc for her and retrieves my ducks fine..my only stipulation is it goes in my hand or I wont accept it....
your 99% need is good dog around house/kids/section...a slabradore is happy to just lie in the sun dreaming of big bowl of tucker.
a couple of times a year deer dog just needs to stay at your side/in behind...come when called no matter what,sit no matter what and shut the fark up.
it doesnt HAVE to do anything...just come along for company but you can bet your left nut if you do shoot something it will help you find it....specially if it gets a feed off the first one you shoot.LABS LOVE FOOD.
hope that helps

Pointer covers a lot of breeds. Which one??
we have 3 pointers on a small section but they do need a decent run every night apart from that they have a pretty good "on/off switch"
mind you this is 2 older dogs and now a puppy.

But if you don't exercise them the place will look like its been attacked by a mole with ADHD crossed with tasmanian devil

lab lab lab lab.....................................

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

lab cross....or a mongrel of some sort with lots of lab in it.....you are stuck with it for 10-15 years so choose wisely.....retrieving should be easy,its a never ending game for the kids and to make it "work" when on ducks is easy....I was anul about doing it correctly with my other dogs,the current bitch plays fetch with anyone silly enough to chuck ball/pinecone etc for her and retrieves my ducks fine..my only stipulation is it goes in my hand or I wont accept it....
your 99% need is good dog around house/kids/section...a slabradore is happy to just lie in the sun dreaming of big bowl of tucker.
a couple of times a year deer dog just needs to stay at your side/in behind...come when called no matter what,sit no matter what and shut the fark up.
it doesnt HAVE to do anything...just come along for company but you can bet your left nut if you do shoot something it will help you find it....specially if it gets a feed off the first one you shoot.LABS LOVE FOOD.
hope that helps

+1 for lab cross (preferably a leaner breed/working dog type) all the benefits of a lab minus some of the genetic issues (hip dysplasia etc)

lab with a bit of heading dog. then you don't end up with a fat lab.
Or get a jack russell or foxie not all of them are highly strung. My old foxie would retrieve ducks, possum hunting , deer stalking and she spent part of her life as a town dog before moving country.
Lets face it if you are only taking it hunting a few times a year really all you want is a dog under good command with manners

Lab heading dog sounds good,
Ive meet alot of fat,slobbering, food scabbing labs.
I smaller skinny lab would be good.

dogo argentina !

Lab. They only get fat if you allow them to get fat..

Don't be afraid of using a kennel. It serves a purpose in training a dog to be quiet and relaxed and not destroying things causing trouble when someone isn't there in control. So long as it gets enough time out of the kennel for stimulation/training/exercise.

Originally Posted by mikee

Pointer covers a lot of breeds. Which one??
we have 3 pointers on a small section but they do need a decent run every night apart from that they have a pretty good "on/off switch"
mind you this is 2 older dogs and now a puppy.

But if you don't exercise them the place will look like its been attacked by a mole with ADHD crossed with tasmanian devil

3 pointers ?

There's usually a few suitable pups or older dogs on trademe. I'd get a heading dog or a quiet hunt away if such dog exists.

Main thing is to train it so it understands what you want it to do in the Bush. Everything else will co e down to training.

Already been said a few times... lab / heading dog cross. Fit, agile, strong instincts, extremely people centric. First 9-12 months will determine your long-term success. There's one of these in training now where I spend my time, also a part time hunter, what a cool and easy going dog, on top of the basics of stay, get behind, cast out, retrieve and BE QUIET at 10 months.