pointing dog
- Thread starter perry
- Start date
perry said:
Perhaps you could sell your decoys on the open market, to raise the needed funds to purchase the dog you desire.
MLBob Furia
Well-known member
perry said:
[size 5] Damn, Bill,
Just turned 74 yesterday, but hearing you still are getting out to gun the tote roads is inspiring. God bless ya !
Scott Farris
Well-known member
Hi Perry,
"can't get off the tote roads into the wood to retrieve birds" Sounds like the job for a retriever not a pointer. My Blk Lab brought back the 2 pheasant I shot this morning, many of the pointers don't like to retrieve. Stories of the big plantation quail hunts told of bringing a lab along to do the actual retrieving when the shooting was done.
Plus lab breeders may be more interested in decoys than pointer breeders, although it seems fewer and fewer breeders are actually waterfowl hunters.
Best
Scott
"can't get off the tote roads into the wood to retrieve birds" Sounds like the job for a retriever not a pointer. My Blk Lab brought back the 2 pheasant I shot this morning, many of the pointers don't like to retrieve. Stories of the big plantation quail hunts told of bringing a lab along to do the actual retrieving when the shooting was done.
Plus lab breeders may be more interested in decoys than pointer breeders, although it seems fewer and fewer breeders are actually waterfowl hunters.
Best
Scott
Bill, you might try some pointing lab breeders. I don't know that they would be willing to trade in decoys for dogs but ya never know til you ask. You'll likely have a better chance with pointing lab breeders being interested in decoys than traditional pointy dog breeders. Another place to try is some of the rescues (like english setter or german shorthair rescue). Some of them are geared towards finding hunting homes for the dogs and they aren't typically puppies and aren't astronomically priced dogs either.
If you are looking for a pointing dog that reliably retrieves, you may want to focus more on the versatile german dogs like wirehairs or shorthairs. I am sure there are other versatile breeds but those two come to mind. I've never hunted behind an english pointer so I can't say how good they are on retrieving. With setters it seems to be an individual thing with more preferring not to retrieve (unless they are force fetched) than loving to do so from my limited experience. I've heard a good number of people are happy with the retrieving abilities in their Brittanies. But I think if I were going to be more concerned about the retrieving aspect of a pointing dog, I'd look at a versatile dog.
Home - NAVHDA
This would be a place to start for research on some of the versatile dogs. I see that english setters and pointers are included in the list but I hear very little about either breed competing much in NAVHDA. Most of the dogs that I have read about and seen talked about have been german dogs.
If you are looking for a pointing dog that reliably retrieves, you may want to focus more on the versatile german dogs like wirehairs or shorthairs. I am sure there are other versatile breeds but those two come to mind. I've never hunted behind an english pointer so I can't say how good they are on retrieving. With setters it seems to be an individual thing with more preferring not to retrieve (unless they are force fetched) than loving to do so from my limited experience. I've heard a good number of people are happy with the retrieving abilities in their Brittanies. But I think if I were going to be more concerned about the retrieving aspect of a pointing dog, I'd look at a versatile dog.
Home - NAVHDA
This would be a place to start for research on some of the versatile dogs. I see that english setters and pointers are included in the list but I hear very little about either breed competing much in NAVHDA. Most of the dogs that I have read about and seen talked about have been german dogs.
I second what Dani suggested about pointing labs. Our 5 y.o. lab Gunner came from an Iowa kennel. We got him specifically because he came from pointing stock, and he is a manageable 70 lbs, a lightweight compared to the previous three 90+ pounders. He hunts grouse and pheasants with my buddies setter, not only does he point beautifully, but he honors her point. Of course he retrieves as well. Never know if someone would be interested in a trade unless you ask.
There are probably rescues specifically for Griffons. Keep an eye out and talk to some breeders and let them know you might be interested if there is a dog that might need to be rehomed.
Sadly, $1500-$2000 is pretty common for bird dog puppies these days. Occasionally I see them for much less but not often anymore.
Sadly, $1500-$2000 is pretty common for bird dog puppies these days. Occasionally I see them for much less but not often anymore.