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ARE THERE ANY WASH. STATE AWS OWNERS OUT THERE? I'VE HAD MINE 8YRS NOW AND THINK THEY ARE A GREAT FLUSHER-RETRIEVER. IT WOULD BE NICE TO TAKE HER OUT OF THE RIG AND HAVE SOMEONE SAY ''NICE AWS'' INSTEAD OF '' WHAT THE H--L IS THAT''.

I'm in New York and have a ton of questions re AWS. I'm kind of curious about what you think of the AWS for a first gun dog. They seem to suit my purpose very nicely but some facets fo the AWS personality could be a problem. I've had a few dogs who were "creative" obedience workers and I can easily deal with overly sensitive animals, though, I prefer hardheads. If I were to get one, it would be kept as a house dog.

I wouldn't have as much opportunity to work in the field as I would like but I've heard that AWS require less field work and more obedience work than some other breeds. I've noticed that trained AWS are virtually non-existant, for sale and that tells me that at least some of the breeds reputation has some basis in fact.

What's the real scoop on this somewhat rare breed? If they were any good, everybody'd have one. Right? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

WUZZAGRUNT

They train about like a springer only they are more owner oriented. Yes most of an AWS's training can be done in your backyard, school grounds, parks, or green belt areas. Marks, blinds, and quarterring can be done with dummies. It helps alot to boost a young dogs drive for birds to have exposure to clip-wing quail or pigeons, they can be easily kept in rabbit hutch in the garage so you have them when you need them. AWS's tend to collect burs, smell if they aren't bathed weekl y (oily coat), better nose than a lab but harder to train for really long blinds, not as fast as a springer, and they don't have a showcase for their abillities (no AKC huntest or field trials and when they do get in NARHA test they are running in test designed for retrievers) but if you like to hunt ducks in the morning, walk around the marsh and hunt pheasants or snipe when the flight slows. hunt out of a canoe or skiff, or want a dog that will give you everything it's got and then some, take a good look at an AWS.

If you want to talk to some breeders for more info let me know and I'll get you some numbers of the people that specialize in quality hunting type dogs.

erich

I'm kinda far away from getting a dog. I live in an apartment house and even if I were able to own a dog here I wouldn't do that to an animal. I may just take you up on your offer when I'm ready to jump in, though.

When I do buy a house (in the next few months, it will still be in an area where proper training areas are far away so the AWS sounds like my prime suspect. I mostly hunt solo and having a dog that can retrieve woodcock from the swamp will be an enormous luxury. I know a spot that gets thick with the little boogers but by the time I've quartered through, and retrieved a couple of birds from, the waist deep sucking mud: I'm shot for the day.

I play with a 2-man sea kayak (open cockpit) that would be excellent for drifting a river. I usually hunt ruffed grouse and there are ponds, tucked away in the woods, that are too small for a boat (even if you were willing to drag it a half mile through the woods) but they attract a few ducks. I'm a bit of an opportunistic wingshooter and a dog (even a mediocre one) will increase my opportunities. I'm not the tiniest bit interested in field trials. I just like to shoot (or shoot at) birds and even coming home with an empty gamebag is more fun with a dog.

I've trained enough dogs (working breeds) that I have complete confidence that I can make a well mannered hunting buddy out of any sound animal. Some people say I have "a way with dogs" but I've learned enough from a couple of good ones that I just have a pretty good idea what motivates them. A good dog will teach you as much as you teach him.

I always say: if you pay attention to what your dog is telling you and, you require that he do the same--the battle is 75% won. If you can keep your sense of humor, you're almost home free. The only thing left is knowing when to cut your losses and get rid of an animal that will never make the grade.

Thanks again for the info.

I have an AWS and I'd get another. My dog is 12, sweet as can be, low maintenance, not real bright and has one program. That program is HUNT. The girl needed only basic obedience and the rest was all her. She quarters a 45 degree arc no more than 15 yards in front, whether she can see me or not. Spots birds and squirrels in the trees. The other day there were some tweety birds in her kennel and she just watched, but when a duck and her clutch walked by she came alive. She is just easy to be around doesn't bounch around like some labs I've been around. She is small so it is easy to take her and she doesn't bother other dogs(one of the reasons I like girl dogs).

You have to train them with an easy hand. They do have some inherent medical issues. I shave her every spring and she is almost odorless this way. She is much more active in the summer without all the excess hair.pak