Cant decide

[gentleman jim]

hi lads, im going to be in a position soon where i'll be able to have a dog. i am looking a good worker for tracking deer. i have heard many people saying not to touch certain breeds, but i would prefer if you's could all voice your opinions and give me advice, before its too late! i will only be able to go stalking every couple of weeks, however i will be out for 2-3days at a time! I dont really want to get a dog that requires constant working as this just wont suit me as i have other commitments. I would appreciate it if you all could get in touch with your advice and experiences!!

 

[Gazza]

Now that is some question that could receive many replies and cause you severe confusion.

I think you really need to assess what you want/expect from a dog and thereafter do research into which breeds meet with your requirements. Here I am not only talking the abilities of the dog but size, sex and your ability to train.

The dog I have suits me and my circumstances perfectly but this dog may not be the one for you therefore to advise from my experience may not assist.

 

[charlie 1]

big question, horses for courses I guess. Is the dog going to be kennelled, or a house pet as well? Who will be looking after the dog while you are away? Do you have young children? How big is your house? My wife and I started looking for a dog 4 years ago and these are some of the questions we had to be able to answer, after that we went on to what we wanted the dog to be able to do as far as working went, and decided on a GWP. Only to be shut down after visiting with a very good breeder who asked us some of the questions above. After hearing our answers she said that the GWP was not for us. Two years later and much searching we decided on a HWHV and then the search for a breeder started we now have a fantastic family pet and a good working dog.

Good luck with this one charlie

 

[gentleman jim]

Have thought about the different sex- however i cant decide. The dog would be kennelled but would also be a pet. When i am not around my girlfriend will be looking after the dog and exercising it with no bother. I am looking for a keen dog that will hunt through thick forestry. I would like the dog to indicate that there are deer before i see them!! Is that too much to ask , seriously just to track! Could every1 post pictures of the dogs they have, to indicate size etc. As this will be my first working dog i dont hae any experience in training, however i know people that do train there own so i will have no worries there.

 

[langhaar]

http://ghda.germanlonghair.com/


Perhaps information from The German Hunting Dogs Association UK might help towards your decision.

 

[sikamalc]

Have thought about the different sex- however i cant decide. The dog would be kennelled but would also be a pet. When i am not around my girlfriend will be looking after the dog and exercising it with no bother. I am looking for a keen dog that will hunt through thick forestry. I would like the dog to indicate that there are deer before i see them!! Is that too much to ask , seriously just to track! Could every1 post pictures of the dogs they have, to indicate size etc. As this will be my first working dog i dont hae any experience in training, however i know people that do train there own so i will have no worries there.

You may want to look at a BMH. From what you have written they should fill the criteria you have mentioned. However they need to be worked on a regular basis. But thats not to say that other breeds can be equally as good.

Good luck

 

[gentleman jim]

Perhaps information from The German Hunting Dogs Association UK might help towards your decision.[/QUOTE]

Thanks

 

[gentleman jim]

You may want to look at a BMH. From what you have written they should fill the criteria you have mentioned. However they need to be worked on a regular basis. But thats not to say that other breeds can be equally as good.

Good luck

I check the site there, there doesnt look to be many BMH about! Nice looking dog, the gf seen one crossed with a lab and supposed to be a nice dog too but whether it would make a good tracker is yet to been seen. If you know of any good books i could read on this breed and tracking just let me know thanks. This hound is looking promising for me if i can just get my hands on one after i read up on them!! Not sure whether there is many being bred in england or ireland so if you know of any just give me a shout. cheers

 

[charlie 1]

have a look at http://gonegoswirehairedvizslas.moonfruit.com/ vizslas, if you like them.

charlie

 

[sikamalc]

I check the site there, there doesnt look to be many BMH about! Nice looking dog, the gf seen one crossed with a lab and supposed to be a nice dog too but whether it would make a good tracker is yet to been seen. If you know of any good books i could read on this breed and tracking just let me know thanks. This hound is looking promising for me if i can just get my hands on one after i read up on them!! Not sure whether there is many being bred in england or ireland so if you know of any just give me a shout. cheers

Not sure about Ireland, but in the UK you can source pups for BMH, but be careful. Check the lineage, and expect to pay £800 or there abouts. I would not advocate buying a mongrel that is crossed between a Lab and BMH.

Niels sondergrass (thinks thats how you spell it) wrote a very good book on tracking. Look through the BDS website and you may find his book there.

Please PM me if you want some info or contacts for a BMH in the near future.

Best

Sikamalc

 

[Kit]

Can't decide

Hungarian Wirehaired Viz.A good sound dog But as an owner I would not reccomend them if you can't put the time in.These dogs hate being left alone and need your company as much as possible.Slow to mature and only get going at about 3yrs.Arthur my dog is a superbr deer tracking dog but even at 4 yrs still has puppy moments.I use him on deer and general game and he is also used as a picking up dog.if you want an uncomplicated companion that also is a good deer dog the Labrador should be your choice.

 

[Orion]

I suspect that a good Lab might fulfil your needs if you're not available to put the time in for one of the more 'focused' tracking/hunting breeds. Might also be easier for your GF to handle when you're not around.

 

[al4x1]

big question, horses for courses I guess. Is the dog going to be kennelled, or a house pet as well? Who will be looking after the dog while you are away? Do you have young children? How big is your house? My wife and I started looking for a dog 4 years ago and these are some of the questions we had to be able to answer, after that we went on to what we wanted the dog to be able to do as far as working went, and decided on a GWP. Only to be shut down after visiting with a very good breeder who asked us some of the questions above. After hearing our answers she said that the GWP was not for us. Two years later and much searching we decided on a HWHV and then the search for a breeder started we now have a fantastic family pet and a good working dog.

Good luck with this one charlie

this is quite interesting as I have a GWP living in exactly the situation you describe and she is brilliant, best house dog I've had and very very good with children. Works well on game birds and foxes so far just getting into deer but she has taken to most things well so far. However there is a huge difference between GWP's and some you wouldn't want in the house as some dogs are a bit of a law unto themselves and huge. My bitch isn't far off lab size just slightly taller, I'd certainly have another but knowing a bit more would check lines well and both parents to get an idea what you are getting. Personally i think the GWP's are easier than GSP's certainly you'll struggle to find dogs with more character

 

[50/50]

Not sure about Ireland, but in the UK you can source pups for BMH, but be careful. Check the lineage, and expect to pay £800 or there abouts. I would not advocate buying a mongrel that is crossed between a Lab and BMH.

Niels sondergrass (thinks thats how you spell it) wrote a very good book on tracking. Look through the BDS website and you may find his book there.

Please PM me if you want some info or contacts for a BMH in the near future.

Best

Sikamalc

Hi Sikamalc,

Was interested to read your comment about not recommending a Lab/BMH cross and wondered what your reasons were?

Afterall, both Lab and BMH are good tracking breeds, so why would a cross not be a good idea?

thanks
50/50

 

[langhaar]

Because you would have bad alleles as well as good in crossmatings. There are problems with heriditary eye diseases and hip dysplasia in both breeds, why would you want to increase this? Do you health screen ?

Why would you want to cross a hound with a retriever, what are you wanting to achieve?

Is it because Bavarians have too much natural instinct and handlers can't cope with this?

 

[gentleman jim]

Might also be easier for your GF to handle when you're not around.[/QUOTE]

Orion i not too fussed on a pure lab to tell you the truth i just have my doubts about them tracking deer. I am a trades man so i have a bit of time on my hands. The gf workes long hours during week and saturdays but she would have no problem exercising before and after work. She is well used to dogs of all shapes and sizes, i feel she would cope grand as she is a vet nurse So vet fee's are good too, thats a bonus

 

[gentleman jim]

I am liking the GWP, GWV and BMH i feel that it will probably fall between either of them, as it seems to suit my lifestyle.need too keep reading up on them!

 

[appin]

the best dog for you would be a big strong lab. i have tried several dogs yes gwp are better but they need lots of work and can go out of control in the wrong hands. if you are out only now and again want a pet as well go for a lab. but remember not all dogs no matter what kind will work deer and i mean properly work deer not what some people think a working deer dog can and should do!

 

[Orion]

Orion i not too fussed on a pure lab to tell you the truth i just have my doubts about them tracking deer.

Don't be in any doubt about the ability of a good lab to track - I believe that in Denmark they are the most numerous dog on the register, (if not, they are certainly 'up there' with GWPs). GWP & GSP and totally different in what they are bred to do from BMH. The former are 'all purpose' gundogs, the BMH bred to be a dedicated tracker.

So vet fee's are good too, thats a bonus

Now that's a good reason to stay in a relationship!

 

[gentleman jim]

Don't be in any doubt about the ability of a good lab to track - I believe that in Denmark they are the most numerous dog on the register. GWP & GSP and totally different in what they are bred to do from BMH. The former are 'all purpose' gundogs, the BMH bred to be a dedicated tracker.

So vet fee's are good too, thats a bonus [/QUOTE]

Now that's a good reason to stay in a relationship! [/QUOTE]

now you said it pal