I am Getting ready to get a new hunting dog and over doing some homework trying to make a decision. The first thing I need to acknowledge is my girlfriend and I could pick up any dog off the street and be very happy, knowing this I still want to do what I can before choosing a breed and eventually an individual dog to ensure best results. We intend to mostly hunt mearns and scaled quail in mountain country, but will chase duck and dove to extend our season and open more opportunity to spend time in the field. I have grown up with labs and done very well hunting chasing multiple species with them. My girlfriend is partial to pointers.
I am strongly considering getting one now and the other in a few years when the time feels right. I am here to look for thoughts and advice on training the two to work together. One thing I am considering is getting a Pointing lab from bear point kennels up in Colorado. It just seems like having a lab bred and trained to point would be one of the simplest ways to have a Lab and Pointer work together harmoniously when chasing quail. Assuming I don't get a pointing lab I wonder which order to get them in, would it be easier to train a flushing lab to work along side a pointer that is already mature and trained? Would a young pointer abandon its pointing instinct in the field after seeing the older lab always flushing? I would prefer if it is viable to allow both dogs to range (I say this loosely I Like my dogs, even pointers to work close to me) and look for birds at the same time rather than allowing the pointer to look for birds and heeling the lab until it is time to just send him in to flush. Any thoughts? Experiences running both together in the field? Thoughts on strategy to keep them harmonious?
I haven't yet committed but I am leaning strongly toward a french pointer from Cactus Country Kennels in Arizona, The breed seems to make a better house dog than english or german pointers while still being darn good bird dogs. Unfortunately long haired breeds just aren't viable in the country we hunt, too many burrs and stickers.
Thanks for your thoughts.
I am strongly considering getting one now and the other in a few years when the time feels right. I am here to look for thoughts and advice on training the two to work together. One thing I am considering is getting a Pointing lab from bear point kennels up in Colorado. It just seems like having a lab bred and trained to point would be one of the simplest ways to have a Lab and Pointer work together harmoniously when chasing quail. Assuming I don't get a pointing lab I wonder which order to get them in, would it be easier to train a flushing lab to work along side a pointer that is already mature and trained? Would a young pointer abandon its pointing instinct in the field after seeing the older lab always flushing? I would prefer if it is viable to allow both dogs to range (I say this loosely I Like my dogs, even pointers to work close to me) and look for birds at the same time rather than allowing the pointer to look for birds and heeling the lab until it is time to just send him in to flush. Any thoughts? Experiences running both together in the field? Thoughts on strategy to keep them harmonious?
I haven't yet committed but I am leaning strongly toward a french pointer from Cactus Country Kennels in Arizona, The breed seems to make a better house dog than english or german pointers while still being darn good bird dogs. Unfortunately long haired breeds just aren't viable in the country we hunt, too many burrs and stickers.
Thanks for your thoughts.
