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Q:
I'm looking for the right hunting dog. I'm a medical student and obviously don't have time to get out and hunt like I would like, but I'd love to at least have a dog to join me and help me in the field. I don't have the time to train a dog every day, but am definitely willing to contribute most of my infrequent spare time to doing as much training as possible. Does anyone have any recommendations for breeds that are good house pets and are able to do adequate on occasional hunting outings (mostly upland and possibly some waterfowl)?
Question by wilksey88. Uploaded on October 12, 2009
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Answers (13)
Check out the South Carolina State dog the Boykin Spaniel. I have owned them for 15 years and love them. I never lose anything I shoot because they always bring it back. I have even trained them to track wounded deer. Great companions and easily trained!
Spaniels are the way to go depending on what you wnat to hunt.... I wouldn't use them for deer, bear, hog etc but for small game (rabbit, squirrel, turkey(where legal), birds...
The dogs can be trained to track and point at just about anything including deer. But not running deer..
I have a Walker for deer, rabbit etc... she requires alot of exercise and one on one time.
Most hounds need stimulation and exercise or they get bored and can get destructive.
Go with a britney spaniel. They are very trusty and reliable, easy to train, and they can also be good family dogs.
I would agree with Spaniels and would add Golden Retriever to the mix. My good hunting buddy had one from a pup until cancer took him a couple years back. Lived long for a purebred Goldy though. Those dogs are the most loyal and calm pets as well as incredible bird hunters. One with good blood lines will have a ton of natural ability which will require little training to have a somewhat proficient hunter. If you don't have the time to excersize the pup every day, stay away from hounds and german pointers.. There's other ones that require a lot of attention so do your breed research before you buy. Good Luck!!
Stay away from the Labrador's unless you have the time to exercise and train them. The big dogs require more than the occasional walk and training session. I have had Labs for the past 12 years but I have the space to keep them and my wife helps train and exercise them when I am busy.
i think a lab would be your best bet they are great bird dogs and make wonderful house pets i like the chocolate labs myself
Don't forget the Terrier class. They're fast, for small game.
Getting them to "Stay!" once they've seen something is the toughest part of training them, though.
I love Labs and used to breed them. I currently have one of my best Labs ever but I would submit that whatever dog you get, they are not maintenance free and they need your input. IMHO Labs in this country have become overbred, and the hip displaysia/allergy/other problems that pop up ever more often (on even very expensive bloodlines) kinda hurt my beloved breed in my eyes now.
If you are like every other med student I've ever known, you are too busy to know whether to wind your a$$ or scratch your watch. Unfortunately, I would recommend against getting a dog until life settles down some. You need some time to devote to having a dog, and it may not be the time of your choosing in some situations.
I wouln't take a million dollars for my big black dog! But I also would not have him if I didn't have the time to devote to training and exercise. You will end up with a very dull doggie or a destroyed house if you leave him alone without proper attention. With medical school, internship and residency staring you in the face, perhaps you could defer the dog until there is time. I don't know when that will be for you, because most of the doctor's that I know barely manage to scratch out a couple of weeks a year to go on vacation and a few weekend hunts.
When you come home and your dog is working on destroying something, he is bored and you aren't keeping him occupied.
WaMtn - best of luck on the Elk hunt!!!!
elk hound X beagle its a good hunting dog and is not to big for the house
but i guess i have seen a great perenee as a house dog and we have a black lab so i guess it just depends on the size of your house. YOu also want a dog that doesnt shed too much
Forget it. If you are studying, you don't have time for this. Go on guided hunts. Maybe you can marry a dog-trainer/babysitter. I know how many hours (former EE/Pre Med student it takes. If you can do this, you are the smartest person I ever heard of.
Post an Answer
Check out the South Carolina State dog the Boykin Spaniel. I have owned them for 15 years and love them. I never lose anything I shoot because they always bring it back. I have even trained them to track wounded deer. Great companions and easily trained!
Go with a britney spaniel. They are very trusty and reliable, easy to train, and they can also be good family dogs.
Stay away from the Labrador's unless you have the time to exercise and train them. The big dogs require more than the occasional walk and training session. I have had Labs for the past 12 years but I have the space to keep them and my wife helps train and exercise them when I am busy.
I wouln't take a million dollars for my big black dog! But I also would not have him if I didn't have the time to devote to training and exercise. You will end up with a very dull doggie or a destroyed house if you leave him alone without proper attention. With medical school, internship and residency staring you in the face, perhaps you could defer the dog until there is time. I don't know when that will be for you, because most of the doctor's that I know barely manage to scratch out a couple of weeks a year to go on vacation and a few weekend hunts.
Spaniels are the way to go depending on what you wnat to hunt.... I wouldn't use them for deer, bear, hog etc but for small game (rabbit, squirrel, turkey(where legal), birds...
The dogs can be trained to track and point at just about anything including deer. But not running deer..
I have a Walker for deer, rabbit etc... she requires alot of exercise and one on one time.
Most hounds need stimulation and exercise or they get bored and can get destructive.
I would agree with Spaniels and would add Golden Retriever to the mix. My good hunting buddy had one from a pup until cancer took him a couple years back. Lived long for a purebred Goldy though. Those dogs are the most loyal and calm pets as well as incredible bird hunters. One with good blood lines will have a ton of natural ability which will require little training to have a somewhat proficient hunter. If you don't have the time to excersize the pup every day, stay away from hounds and german pointers.. There's other ones that require a lot of attention so do your breed research before you buy. Good Luck!!
i think a lab would be your best bet they are great bird dogs and make wonderful house pets i like the chocolate labs myself
Don't forget the Terrier class. They're fast, for small game.
Getting them to "Stay!" once they've seen something is the toughest part of training them, though.
I love Labs and used to breed them. I currently have one of my best Labs ever but I would submit that whatever dog you get, they are not maintenance free and they need your input. IMHO Labs in this country have become overbred, and the hip displaysia/allergy/other problems that pop up ever more often (on even very expensive bloodlines) kinda hurt my beloved breed in my eyes now.
If you are like every other med student I've ever known, you are too busy to know whether to wind your a$$ or scratch your watch. Unfortunately, I would recommend against getting a dog until life settles down some. You need some time to devote to having a dog, and it may not be the time of your choosing in some situations.
When you come home and your dog is working on destroying something, he is bored and you aren't keeping him occupied.
WaMtn - best of luck on the Elk hunt!!!!
elk hound X beagle its a good hunting dog and is not to big for the house
but i guess i have seen a great perenee as a house dog and we have a black lab so i guess it just depends on the size of your house. YOu also want a dog that doesnt shed too much
Forget it. If you are studying, you don't have time for this. Go on guided hunts. Maybe you can marry a dog-trainer/babysitter. I know how many hours (former EE/Pre Med student it takes. If you can do this, you are the smartest person I ever heard of.
Post an Answer