Home Forums Birds & Dogs Hunting Dogs Advice on selecting a breed?

Hey Guys, my oldest Daughter (10 yrs old) is really asking to get a dog. She wants the dog as a pet/companion for her and her little sister (8 yrs old). The younger girl is more of a cat person and tends to be afraid of larger dogs. Given that, I want to select the right breed that will be smaller and less intimidating for her, but will be very friendly and gentle with them.

If we are going to get a dog, I would prefer to have one that is capable of being both the family pet as well as having some hunting skills. I enjoy both quail and dove hunting and used to run rabbits when my buddy had beagles. I take my girls with me. When they are ready I plan to let the shoot, but I'm not pushing them since they are happy just tagging along with me for now.

We are not really experienced dog people, but I am willing to spend time working and training one if we can get a breed that trains fairly easily. Our backyard is approximately 1/3 acre (fenced in) and we have access to a nice 10 acre field within short walking distance.

What breed should we be looking at that will train easily, not be too large, could hunt quail and retrieve doves, and make a nice loving family pet? If the dog could hunt rabbits too that would be nice, but I'm guessing the training would have to be for either birds or rabbits, but likely not both.

I wonder about a small female Brittany, but have never been around one. Thoughts?

Mark in GA

I had 3 brittanys over the years. I think they would be about ideal for what you want. Just pick a litter carefully.

Check out a French Brittany. I'd guess they're 25 to 30 pounds or so. Great upland bird dogs, but I don't know about bunnies.

Maybe a rescue dog that is already trained?

Good Luck!

My daughter is 10 and we picked out a Vizsla for her. Great hunting dog (so far) and it is hard to find a more loving dog!

Don't overlook two spaniel breeds: the Boykin and the English cocker. Both are flushing dogs, but they are also excellent retrievers and companions (make sure you get an English cocker from field stock, not pet or show stock).

Good advice above. We have FBECS and I think they would be just about ideal for the criteria you have mentioned. They are used extensively on the quail plantations in the South to flush up the coveys the big white dogs have gotten pinned down.

NB

I think a Brittany would be ideal but then I'm very prejudiced. Companionship is considered essential to the breed. (AKC) In fact Britts I've known crave human companionship and do best living in the house with you. They have a strong desire to please and for that can be a bit sensitive to correction, be gentle. In fact my Larry Britt would go his favorite corner in fear he did something wrong if Dad and I started talking loud on a subject up for debate.

Passing along advice from a cousin who breeds field trial Britts, be leery of a Britt from a field trial line. Field trial dogs are bred to be more energetic and can be a little on the hyper side for a companion dog. American Brittany Rescue can be a resource, besides giving a good home you get some history of the dog.

Get a Golden Retriever and you won't mind the size......they're the hands-down sweetest family dog you could ask for.

I think that would be my second choice, or maybe a Springer. But I like pointing dogs and wonder if hunting hasn't been inadvertently bred out of many Golden lines. Don't know but wonder. Has happened to some lines of Britts.

A springer would be a good choice too.....natural instincts and easy around the house. Choosing is half the fun!!

Here is my daughter's Vizsla. She is a real sweetheart and my daughter is 10 as well.

I'd say a Boykin, AWS, or Field bred Springer/Cocker. Sounds exactly like what you're looking for.

I just put my name on a list for a Pudelpointer in spring/summer 2014.

Our last dog was a lab, so I think this next one will be a good fit. The low shedding/good family dog were the top selling points.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pudelpointer

Toller would work out nicely... Just have to be careful where you leave the bottles of alcohol! :-D

That toller looks to be too young to legally consume alcohol...

My suggestion would be a small female Labrador from field lines or a Brittany.

We went that route with the last dog we had. She was a great dog in all respects, but the shedding was more that I wanted to do again. Unless you've had a Lab and are ready for that, you'll have no idea the level of hair you will be picking up in your house. That was the only downside with the breed.

That's the reason we went with a Pudelpointer this time.

Or you could have a Lab/Shepherd mix. Hey, available now and the price is right, meaning come get one.

2 black males left, one with a white star on his chest.

I think you will be hard pressed to find a better companion dog for your girls.

.

edit:
whoops, i always feel like an idiot replying to threads that are absent the OP. haha

That's an awesome looking dog. I can't myself not owning a GSP but if I were ever to experiment with a new breed, the Pudelpointer would be at the top of my list. I'd REALLY love to see some at work in person - that might just make the difference!!