Breed selection - jack of all trades possible?

[Lee2495]

Hi,

I currently have a spaniel and a lab, the lab bless him is 14 and very soon I will need another dogs.

The thing is I need the new dog to help with the below tasks. I was wondering what breed and sex people think most suitable?

I have listed them in order of priority and I am aware that I ask the impossible but I am looking for the best fit.

1. Work in school environment with secondary children.

2. Help indicate and find shot deer.

3. Basic retrieving and flushing.

4. Move about a small amount of sheep.

5. Live in my family home with children.

Leaning towards another male lab.....but always had them so I guess I would.

Thank in advance.
Lee

 

[Jamesneale89]

I’d say another lab,

But I’ve never seen a lab do point number 4

 

[Alex88]

I would go for a border collie

 

[Lee2495]

I would go for a border collie

Had some bad experiences of collies around children that put me off. Anybody worked one on deer or rough shooting?

 

[b 6.5 s]

Been thinking of a Lab/GWP for a all rounder for some time now

 

[Lee2495]

Been thinking of a Lab/GWP for a all rounder for some time now

As in a cross breed?

 

[b 6.5 s]

Sorry about that yes as a cross

 

[fallowfellow]

A friend had a lab/collie cross that would flush, retrieve and herd. I imagine it would have tracked deer if trained.

 

[wag]

My GWP does all of those bar the school visit bit

 

[Rasputin]

If I were doing anything with kids in a school setting I’d get a Labrador.

 

[Keith Edmunds]

Lab

 

[Heym SR20]

Our double pedigree lab x bmh will do everything from being an aga dog, being used as a climbing frame for young children and providing comfort for the elderly. Very happy around town, going to the pub etc

Points deer, finds deer, tells me off when I don’t shoot

Very good at working cover for grouse, snipe, woodcock. Happy retrieving duck, but leaves pheasants for the spaniels.

And absolutely capable of totally ignoring me, or finding a good cock phaesant, holding it point, flushing on my command, I shoot it beautifully as it climbs into a blue sky, she retrieves it beautifully bringing it to me, and then making sure everyone else is watching going into the thickest gourse and leaving it there, with a huge amount of sassiness and sticking her tongue out.

 

[Lee2495]

Our double pedigree lab x bmh will do everything from being an aga dog, being used as a climbing frame for young children and providing comfort for the elderly. Very happy around town, going to the pub etc

Points deer, finds deer, tells me off when I don’t shoot

Very good at working cover for grouse, snipe, woodcock. Happy retrieving duck, but leaves pheasants for the spaniels.

And absolutely capable of totally ignoring me, or finding a good cock phaesant, holding it point, flushing on my command, I shoot it beautifully as it climbs into a blue sky, she retrieves it beautifully bringing it to me, and then making sure everyone else is watching going into the thickest gourse and leaving it there, with a huge amount of sassiness and sticking her tongue out.

Sounds like an ideal companion. Any health issues, is she hardy? Is it possible to see a picture of her?

Thanks,
Lee

 

[Dan Newcombe]

Lab would be my go to for that list.

Out of interest, why is the family home with children the bottom but the school at the top?

 

[Lee2495]

Lab would be my go to for that list.

Out of interest, why is the family home with children the bottom but the school at the top?

Because the family are happy to dealing with dog behaviour, we have rehabilitated a number of difficult rescues.

 

[muddy42]

I would say lab, the easiest dog to train and very versatile. A friend says he doesn't need a thermal until his lab dies, she puts her nose up to indicate when there are deer ahead!

 

[Dan Newcombe]

Because the family are happy to dealing with dog behaviour, we have rehabilitated a number of difficult rescues.

Fair point

 

[Heym SR20]

Sounds like an ideal companion. Any health issues, is she hardy? Is it possible to see a picture of her?

Thanks,
Lee

No problems healthwise. Now 91/2 and still very fit. She also likes fishing, will retrieve trout, loves blaeberries, blackberries, raspberries and apples. Indeed she most of the year looking for them and then is really happy when the reappear.

 

[Lee2495]

She lovely. Where did you get her you don't hear of many Lab x BMHs about?

 

[Heym SR20]

She lovely. Where did you get her you don't hear of many Lab x BMHs about?

She came from a keeper in Northumberland who used to be on SD. @Olaf has her sister.