Thread: Should I get a dog.

I've always found three better than two when it comes to hierarchy. Two is a bad number. One or three

Originally Posted by Pointer

I've always found three better than two when it comes to hierarchy. Two is a bad number. One or three

Even numbers works better, terriers and bull breeds particularly. More so if you have tower builders in the pack.

A standard working day will not affect the animal. Hard pressed to beat a Lab but, they are heavy breathers and are noisier in the bush.

So what's the out come @Ricochet, got a mutt yet? Or sussed a breed you like?
I got a busy job, two balls out young snot gobblers and a missus. All wanting a piece of my arse. I got a pup this year for hunting, best thing I've done in ages. I still find plenty of time for training, walking hound. Took a while for him to settle in but has adapted to family life really well. He's a hit with everyone except my missus cousin- dog took an instant like to her chickens, didn't lay for a week or so after dog tried to eat one.
I would say suss out a good breader or blood line that hunts. You want one with natural ability other wise it will be a battle.

if you want to train a SAR dog, be prepared for minimum 3 yrs hard out work and no guarantee of being able to deploy.
PM Headcase on the huntfish forum if you want the good and bad

Hi @deadidick , no I haven't yet. I've just got about 40m of fencing to go & the property will be fully fenced & I'll be ready. I come to a final decision regarding the breed I'm getting about every 2 days! I think I've settled on a Heading dog at the moment. What did you get?


@Pengy I was told that I wouldn't be able to have a dog that could do both SAR & deer indicating but I'm not too sure how reliable this advice was as I'm pretty sure the guy telling me had no idea what a deer indicting dog was like & was thinking more like a pig hunting dog.

And I'm not too worried about how much work or how long I will take to get there as I have nothing but time on my hands really. As long as the dog & I are enjoying it then it's all good.

[QUOTE=Ricochet;452381]Hi @deadidick , no I haven't yet. I've just got about 40m of fencing to go & the property will be fully fenced & I'll be ready. I come to a final decision regarding the breed I'm getting about every 2 days! I think I've settled on a Heading dog at the moment. What did you get?


I was lucky enough to get a GWP. It's been a good excuse to slope of in the arvo or after dinner to do a bit of training, walk or what ever.
Found this dog a lot easier to work with compared with other bully type dogs I've had previously. Got a lot of natural ability, so comes down to the handler I think in this case.

Originally Posted by Ricochet

Hello, I was after some advice please.

I think I want a dog. I would like something I can train to indicate deer and I'm a Tauranga SAR member so I might want to have a go at using it for that too.

I had my heart set on a Vizsla but I have talked to a few breeders and they all agree that since I work full time and am single, (so no-one's home during the day), that a Viszla is not the breed for me.

So my questions are...

Should I get a dog since I'm at work all day?

And, if so, what's breed would you recommend? I am a novice trainer but other than work have heaps of time to spend with it.

i spoke to the lady who runs SAR in tauranga and she said that if you dogs trained for deer dont bother with SAR work. basicly one or the other

Originally Posted by mucko

i spoke to the lady who runs SAR in tauranga and she said that if you dogs trained for deer dont bother with SAR work. basicly one or the other

Bullshit.
I've seen a SAR dog that loves rabbiting, and owner of said dog is high up the SAR food chain.

Yes. Collie/ heading dog. Have fond if u get more than 1 u Pr all the time into training the 1st and slack off for any more u get. Mien r tied up on a running line 8hr and get 2 hr run in evening, not a problem.

Great excuse to get out of the house and away from the issues at home.... Dogs r great listeners and dont talk back to much.

Know a guy in icers that was using a collie for sar and it indicated on deer and he could use it for both, (not certified but thats another story)

Originally Posted by Wirehunt

Bullshit.
I've seen a SAR dog that loves rabbiting, and owner of said dog is high up the SAR food chain.

only going on what she said to me you can ring her and tell its bullshit if you like. i offered to train my girl for sar work and they turned me down flat because she was trained for scenting deer, they believe and or have had failures in the past where deer dogs don't detect people live or dead well enough for SAR work. i would of thought it would only be a matter of training but they wouldn't have it.

Originally Posted by mucko

only going on what she said to me you can ring her and tell its bullshit if you like.

I would.

Originally Posted by mucko

i spoke to the lady who runs SAR in tauranga and she said that if you dogs trained for deer dont bother with SAR work. basicly one or the other

At risk of incurring the wrath of a couple of friends on here.. the reality is when the sentence starts with "i spoke to the lady who runs SAR" you are most likely talking to someone who doesn't have a damn clue about dogs. I own a bitch fully trained to detect drugs, tobacco, cellphones and more and I hunt over her and have just bred a litter from her... she will do anything I ask her to do... so long as the communication is valid and she understands she is as versatile as can be... she is a springer. Viszla, lab, heading take your pick. They are all easy handling breeds. All handle being left for the day if your handling is adept in the rest of the time, that's the rub... Before you dive in the deep end, come up here and have a chat. I'm in Waihi, just up the road and have the #1 Commercial gundog kennel in the country. I am happy to show you some dogs, have a chat and a coffee and hopefully get you off on the right foot.

Originally Posted by mawzer308

A standard working day will not affect the animal. Hard pressed to beat a Lab but, they are heavy breathers and are noisier in the bush.

Go lab, they may be all the above and are really just a stomach with legs that farts a lot, but they tick all the boxes well mine did anyway

Labs are the best