Your hunting dog(s): Kept outside or a member of the family?

[Kinsman]

I like versatile dogs, all-around good guys and companions.

Stovepipe is a black Lab. A member of the family, he can go in or out as he pleases. Spends most of his time outside but likes to sleep inside....usually. He'll accompany the kids when they're too scared to go in the basement by themselves. He'll accompany me when I'm looking for birds.

He is 110 lbs of tail-chasing fury. Keeps the yard free of squirrels, turkeys and deer.

And gentle as can be with the new kittens. {snif} I love that dog....{snif}

 

[HSMITH]

Boy Art, thanks for that last post! Brought a smile to me that you couldn't beat off my head with a shovel, and a full belly laugh. If I ever get down that way I'll bring a bottle of good scotch and a new bucket to sit on the porch and watch the happenings. You are running my kind of place down there!!!

 

[Selfdfenz]

Here goes 1000.

Malone,

I wouldn't have a dog I could not keep in the house with me. In days gone by I've had jobs where I could take them with me to work which was wonderful while it lasted. I like labs but some of the versatile hunting breeds have a lot to offer. Most of the national breed clubs have a rescue group. You might want to look into the versatile hunting dogs as a rescue. If you go the rescue direction, and depending on the breed, you might not be able to have a cat as you will be looking at an adult and some or the VHDs are pretty sharp. It all depends. Sometimes the rescue dogs will be hunters, sometimes not. Again, depending on the breed and the person in the rescue organization that you are getting it from they may be able to tell you if it will hunt, if it's gunshy, good or not good with kids, what vices it has etc.
You seldom get that kind of info on a "pound puppy".
Good luck

S-

 

[boltaction]

This big, goofy, yellow lab with chocolate highlights?

Sorry, 94 lb.Timber only THINKS he is a hunting dog; and if he had to stay outside overnight, he would die of loneliness.



Boltaction
http://www.individ.us
The blog for rugged anti-collectivists
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[JustsayMo]

I'm on Labs #4 & #5. All have been excellent members of the family. 3 of the five were/are good hunters.

Yarrow (#4 Yellow lab) is a natural hunter but doesn't take the cold too well. Excellent flusher and a better than average retriever, especially if there is another dog around as she's highly competitive. Excellent with kids, couch potato most of the time, beautiful dog.

Kirby (#5 Chocolate) is the best I've ever had. Low maintenance, super durable and will follow hand signals to make retrieves in the toughest conditions. She always hustles. All around great dog. Perfect size for heavy cover, thick coat for icy water. Happiest when she's wet.

All have been unique and have greatly enriched our lives. I get at least one good belly laugh out of them everyday. They have the run of the place here and I can't imagine it any other way.

Mo