#2369180 - 08/13/08 08:24 PM
Flushing dog help
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dronofrio
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Registered: 03/26/05
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Loc: Golden, CO
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So my family purchased a Brittany yesterday, and my wife has just informed me that she would like to get a second dog for this one to have a companion.
My question is since I just got a pointer, I would like some sort of flusher. What other flushers are out there besides a lab? Ideally I would like something that is going to be about the smae size as the Brittany and shed about as much.
Thanks for any and all help.
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#2369189 - 08/13/08 08:29 PM
Re: Flushing dog help
[Re: dronofrio]
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RickBin
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Loc: Los Angeles, California
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The Springer is the classic flusher. Cocker as well. Either will meet your criteria.
Have you considered the challenges of owning/training/working a flusher and a pointer concurrently?
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#2369224 - 08/13/08 08:45 PM
Re: Flushing dog help
[Re: RickBin]
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dronofrio
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Loc: Golden, CO
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Rick,
Thanks for the advice on the Springer and Cocker, I will look into them. As far as the training and owning, my wife has decided to make this a full time hobby for herself and gave her 2 weeks notice at her current job this afternoon.
Thanks again
Derek
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#2369232 - 08/13/08 08:51 PM
Re: Flushing dog help
[Re: dronofrio]
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Spotshooter
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Springer all the way.
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Spot shooter
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#2369261 - 08/13/08 09:13 PM
Re: Flushing dog help
[Re: Spotshooter]
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RickBin
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Wow!
I'm a Springer man, myself. 
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#2370849 - 08/14/08 05:01 PM
Re: Flushing dog help
[Re: RickBin]
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moosemuncher
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Registered: 08/31/05
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Loc: west of the mississippi
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Gotta vote lab despite the shed factor. There is a huge difference between hunting kennel labs and the average lab on the street. The Denver classifieds currently have 32 litters of labs for sale.
I'd look for a hunting kennel in South Dakota or Kansas with 75 to 80 pound hunting labs. If you have any more rifles to sell off in order to make room for shotguns, let me know!!
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#2370930 - 08/14/08 05:48 PM
Re: Flushing dog help
[Re: moosemuncher]
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GPA
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I, too, vote for a lab. Look for a lab mix that is predicted to mature small. You will not regret it.
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#2371067 - 08/14/08 06:48 PM
Re: Flushing dog help
[Re: GPA]
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DakotaDeer
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Labs are so boring, and unless you get lucky most of them love to retrieve but are pretty lazy when it comes to flushing pheasants.
Sure there are exceptions, but even a little English cocker will outwork most labs for getting in the cover and digging out birds. I would go with a Springer myself.
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#2371569 - 08/15/08 06:26 AM
Re: Flushing dog help
[Re: DakotaDeer]
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wuzzagrunt
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There are Labs that are bred to have a quiet disposition and be strong swimmers, but who can barely waddle out of their own way in the uplands. There are Labs that are specifically bred to be upland dogs, and they will give most other upland breeds a run for their money--if not an old school spanking. The latter tend to be below standard size or on the low end of the breed standard. If you are so inclined, you can even find Labs that will point.
There are so many distinct lines of Labrador Retrievers that it is hard to say what Labs are, or are not, good at. I don't think there are any Schutzhund Labs, but wait 15 minutes and one will be along. In very tight cover, a 35 lb. Springer is obviously going to have the advantage over a 65 lb. Lab but the whole world is not an alder thicket.
_________________________
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive." - C.S. Lewis
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#2372123 - 08/15/08 11:16 AM
Re: Flushing dog help
[Re: wuzzagrunt]
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dronofrio
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Loc: Golden, CO
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Thanks for all the advice guys. My wife likes the idea of a springer, while I am pretty sold on a lab myself. Looks like we have more research to do.
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#2372372 - 08/15/08 01:32 PM
Re: Flushing dog help
[Re: dronofrio]
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721_tomahawk
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Loc: south central Kansas
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I have a half Lab/half bloodhound that is a helluva flusher and can go all day.. She will retrieve sticks and birds on land and sticks out of the water.... Her only problem is if the bird goes in the water she will swim out to it, pick it up, smash it, drop it, stomp it, grab it, repeat...but WILL NOT bring the damn dove back to the land!! It is really hillarious now.. It WAS NOT the first timne she left 4 floating in the pond.. I only shoot them close to the bank unless its windy..
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#2372396 - 08/15/08 01:50 PM
Re: Flushing dog help
[Re: 721_tomahawk]
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RickBin
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Loc: Los Angeles, California
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If you want a flusher, get a Springer!
With all due respect, your chances of getting a Lab that will equal, much less beat, a decent, self-respecting Springer as a flushing dog are beyond stacked. I've never seen a Lab BEGIN to outlay the speed and energy expended by a working Springer with even an average motor. Not even close.
As to cover, welp, that's where the birds are, and good Springer lines have been bred for courage in cover for too many generations to count.
That's not a knock on Labs. My Springers have an unreal drive to retrieve. My adult male charges water EVERY time, handles double blinds, has a PERFECT delivery and has/will retrieve a hundred doves in the morning, and another hundred in the afternoon. When seen alone, it's hard to imagine a much better retriever, breed be damned.
That said, there NO way he's up to competing with Labs as a dedicated waterfowl retriever. He has the desire, but he's not built for it. He doesn't have the build, the coat, the stamina ...
If you want a flusher, get a Springer (or a Cocker if you're up to a special challenge with unique rewards). If you want a Lab, get a Lab, but DON'T expect a Lab to equal a Springer as a flusher. You can train one to flush well, but a Springer's equal he will not likely be.
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#2372400 - 08/15/08 01:52 PM
Re: Flushing dog help
[Re: RickBin]
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RickBin
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Here's to Jack!
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#2372606 - 08/15/08 04:02 PM
Re: Flushing dog help
[Re: RickBin]
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nighthawk
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Well, there are some. The best pheasant flusher I've ever seen is a lab owned by a retired vet here. She's a pure joy to hunt behind, except you get your limit too fast. Of course that lab was bred, selected and trained for that purpose. Me, I'd go with a springer if I didn't love britts so much, a springer being just my personal breed preference.
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#2372631 - 08/15/08 04:17 PM
Re: Flushing dog help
[Re: nighthawk]
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RickBin
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Some there are, no question.
I've seen some pretty decent pointing labs too.
There's a reason Labs are the most popular breed in America!
But we were talking flushers. 
rb
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#2372684 - 08/15/08 04:52 PM
Re: Flushing dog help
[Re: RickBin]
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battue
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Flusher means springer or cocker. (Have one of each, so admittedly I'm partial)
That being said a TOP NOTCH springer will out flush and out last a lab the vast majority of time in the uplands. The same way a TOP NOTCH lab will outwork a springer in cold weather down and dirty water fowling.
Average dogs of either breed can have the tables turned on them, but if you have a great one of either breed they will be the best at what they do.
Most people have never seen a "bragging" springer. If you had you would not question which one rules the flushing category.
Battue
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laissez les bons temps rouler
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#2372770 - 08/15/08 05:52 PM
Re: Flushing dog help
[Re: battue]
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10fingers
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Go with the springer, labs haven't any personality. Get him clipped short a couple of weeks before grouse season.
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#2373007 - 08/15/08 07:43 PM
Re: Flushing dog help
[Re: 10fingers]
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dronofrio
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Loc: Golden, CO
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Rick,
Would you mind letting me know where you got Jack, he looks to be exactly what we are looking for. How is as a companion, as we would like to be able to have our dogs in the house with us as much as we can.
Thanks
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