AWS breeder, northern Gulf Coast.

Ed Askew

Ed Askew

Well-known member
Hi folks,

I'm sorry I've been a stranger to Duckboats for so long, but I've been mostly retired from duck hunting for several years. As my dog got older and really not interested in hunting anymore, I drifted into fishing for redfish and specks during duck season and bringing her along. Well, she hasn't been doing well for several weeks at 12 years of age, and I buried her today. I'm a dog person and so is my wife, but we're getting older and we're both thinking about adopting a smaller breed. I want another retriever, and although I'm not getting involved with another club or any major investment in time and money in hunting ducks again, I certainly would be into going after a few woodies and teal that can be had locally, plus doves, etc. I'm thinking about an AWS. I've hunted with a couple of them up in Arkansas and they were both great dogs. Does anyone know of an AWS breeder within a few hundred miles of Hattiesburg, MS?
 
Down south you'll have much better luck finding a good Boykin spaniel. Seems like water spaniels are hard to come across outside of the upper Midwest.
 
Ed,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I am hoping that she has left you with many memories of retrieving ducks for you. Best of luck finding that new pup that you want. Let us know when you bring it home.
Allan
 
Thanks, Al. Yeah, I know about Boykins, but the problem is that almost half have hip dysplasia. I see my nearest kennel for an AWS is in South Carolina. I happened to look at some labs on line and I can see they are smaller than they used to be. Interesting how labs are getting smaller. My first lab was born in 1972 and weighed well over 100lbs. That dog could really rock a pirogue. In fact he sank a pirogue more than once with me in it. Now I see most of the females weigh less than 50 lbs. I have grow up with labs, and I've had a lab around the house almost continuously for 30 years. I'm going to try to talk my wife into getting another lab.
 
Probably right, Greg. I'm making some progress with the wife already. It just takes a while.

Ed.
 
Ed,


There are several AWS groups on Facebook. They can be helpful in finding a hunting AWS breeder in your area. Here are a few links.


Zane


https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=american%20water%20spaniel%20club




https://www.facebook.com/groups/258041024251783


https://www.facebook.com/groups/808128459220258
















 
First off, sorry for your loss.


Facebook groups are a good way to find breeders. Social media has been replacing the traditional website for some time. Like usual call, get references and check health clearances.
 
Last edited:
Ed Askew said:
I happened to look at some labs on line and I can see they are smaller than they used to be. Interesting how labs are getting smaller. My first lab was born in 1972 and weighed well over 100lbs. That dog could really rock a pirogue. In fact he sank a pirogue more than once with me in it. Now I see most of the females weigh less than 50 lbs. I have grow up with labs, and I've had a lab around the house almost continuously for 30 years. I'm going to try to talk my wife into getting another lab.
Click to expand...

Ed, I'm sorry to read about your dog. I hope you find what you're looking for in a new pup. I have had 3 labs since 1984. The two males were over 80lbs. When I made the move to hunting from a sneak boat, I elected to look for a smaller lab. I picked a female this time being convinced they are easier to train. The two males I had were hardheaded but hunting fools. They both seemed to know what they were all about with little training on retrieving. Obedience was their downfall though. My current lab is a 55lb female. Obedience has never been an issue, but with retrieving, she is very timid. She never pushed hard like my males, and I lost birds because of it. She's nine now and doesn't hunt. She was very susceptible to cold tail at a young age and finally I quit taking her once the water temps got cold. The vets we contacted at the time had no remedies or suggestions on how to keep her from getting cold tail and it pained me to see her in such pain. Every time she would get it, it would take longer to get over it. On the other hand, for a house dog she is the best dog we've had as a pet, especially with the grandkids and wouldn't give her up for anything.
 
Great looking dog! No, we've signed up and sent in a deposit for a lab yet to be born in Georgia. My wife and I went back and forth over it and the deal is I'm just a lab guy to the bone, and there's no switching sides at this late date. Still I love those AWS's and yours looks great!
 
Nice to see you back on Ed. I went that route in 1984 with a AWS and the dog did not work out for me. Went back to Labs.
 
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