Best dog for me?(will be my first dog ever)

Hey folks, new to this forum but been over at the tff for quite a few years. I am wanting to get a dog for hunting primarily and just being part of our family also. I have never owned a dog in my life, I've done alot of reading lately and so on, and because I'm still not sure I'm just being biased I want to make sure I choose the right dog for me. I am looking at labs mostly because they interests me so much, I plan to mostly duck and dove hunt here in east texas so I know lots of dogs can fill that role. I also like the gsp, and the Brittany spaniel but I don't even know anyone who owns a hunting dog personally. So that's why I'm asking so far in advance I want to make sure I have all my ducks in a row before I pull the trigger and end up with the wrong dog, or training him wrong. So any and all advice I'm going to read and take to heart from rather I should try training him myself or rather I should buy a trained simi trained dog, what kinda videos books do you recommend. Anything really hoping to be ready for a dog next summer or maybe even spring. If you have any idea about places I should go look at or even talk to I'd really appreciate that too. Thanks all who reply in advance!

Give my son Brent a shout in Poynor. You can find his number at www.ggsportsman.com. He has GSP's and Labs and a wealth of knowledge on hunting dogs. Several on the THF have his dogs.

As most of the people who visit this section of the THF know I'm a lab guy. For ducks, dove and family companion it's the route to go. It's especially a good route to go being your first dog because they are very forgiving.

The best advise I can give you and please listen is to do your research on the litter.

#1 make sure parents are health tested. Eyes, hips and elbows. DNA tests EIC, CNM, PRA minimum.

#2 buy pup out of parents with good temperaments and who are titled or at least hunted. If at all possible go see what the parents are like. For your first dog that's just going to be a hunting dog and family companion you will not want a super "hot" over the top energetic dog.

#3 Do yourself a huge favor and buy these two DVDs "Training a retriever puppy" by Bill Hillmann and "Sound Beginnings" by Jakie Mertens. Spend the money

#4 don't buy a silver

Feel free to call me at 806-786-6825 if you have any questions.

I'm hoping to have a litter on the ground late spring. FYI

I live pretty close to Poyner, I'll give him a call at the end of my work week and see what he has to say, thanks!

I am going to order these videos tonight Amazon does not carry them how ever, what does don't buy silver mean, that mean a older dog? Thanks for all the advice also. May give you a call sometime soon to ask some things.

Labs are great dogs and mix with family very well and I agree with all above . However as suggested check out their health history . I have some kinfolks that have a black lab from a puppy and is now on up in his yrs but I feel so sorry for their dog cause they are prone to arthritis in the hip areas . They have a baby bed mattress in their home for him to lay on but so sad to see him walking in pain a lot . They have medicine he takes and sees' a vet regularly but they can't hunt him anymore but he is so friendly and they are really going to miss him when time comes for him to pass .

Myself I have had all kinds of family dogs but the one best dog I had was a Brittany Spaniel . That dog had so much energy but was also a great family dog . Never got to train him cause just over a yr old he was chasing a female Brittany in heat and well ... , she ran across a hwy and a semi caught them both . I was devastated but nothing I could do about it . However a great bird dog and family dog but very hyper . Never had his tail cropped tho and looked just like this one :

Brittany Spaniel

The answer to this question is and always will be, Brittany.

Get a Lab

You are probably familiar with Black, Yellow and Chocolate Labrador retrievers. There are now breeders marketing "silver" labs. I won't get into the specifics, but just stick with any of the real and recognized colors, Black, Yellow or Choc.

Also, since it's your first dog ever... Be prepared. Mentally. Lab puppies are busy little creatures. They take (and deserve) a lot of time and attention to raise. If you're not up for the puppy part, definitely consider what people call a "started" dog. This is a dog that is usually young (under 2 years) and has at least some training. Everyone's opinion of "started" (how much training has the dog already had) is different, so you need to have someone with experience help make sure you find the right started dog for you and your family. If you go that route, come back here and ask questions about how to find the right started dog.

Ok never heard of a silver lab before so thanks for the advice on that, the more I read the more I think my beat option for a 1st dog is to be a started dog. That being said what would your advice be to look at. Right now with work the way it is o can always get 30 minutes a day out with a dog no problem I work 3 days on 3 days off but still with 2 young boys it can be tough to get to far out from the house. The 6yo will go where ever, and the 1yo throws a fit when he can't.

Don't do this. Methodically it seems logical, but this is an alternate fact. I cringed reading it. Silver labs make great dogs same as the Black, Yellow and Chocolate genetically are the same with personalities that can be expected in all similar breeds.

Man...get those boys a lab puppy that they can grow up with. A lot more work on the front end, but well worth it in the long run.

If you insist on getting a started dog you need to get with whoever you're purchasing the dog from before you ever take the dog and learn everything the dog knows and how to command the dog - otherwise you're going to get frustrated very quickly due to your lack of knowledge (hence why I think a puppy is better so you can both learn together - especially if you're just getting a meat dog/family pet).

I also prefer puppies cause they grow to know your voice , your act how you treat them and they learn to respect you and not starters . JMHO

Except.....

More prone to have coat and skin problems

Bred only for color

Very few are proven hunters and very few have hunt test titled

And a strong argument can be made that the dilute gene was introduced by crossing with a Weimaraner

While I see what you did here (good one!)... your response doesn't really help much for the OP (if anything would be confusing to him). Sorry if I offended you on the other post, that was not my intent, I was just trying to help the OP in that case.

Anyway, I also never said a silver colored labrador could not be a good dog. I know a couple people that have one. I just gave the advice to stick with a black, yellow or chocolate. And for the record, silver colored labs are actually NOT genetically the same. That's the whole point (ie Dilute Gene). But that discussion is for an entirely different thread.

Bill Hillman training a puppy retriever is a fantastic training tool. Already posted but it is amazing knowledge and worth the money. I also like Stonnie Dennis on YouTube he puts out a lot of videos and progression videos.

Good first dog....

http://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/6893514/Re:_Free_to_"good&#Post6893514

One thing I am nervous about is kennel and house training him quickly on my own as a pup, cause atm mama is not down with the whole dog idea. I know her well enough as soon as she sees the oldest interacting with and enjoying the dog she'll be on board and happy. But crying dog and poop or pre maybe a bit of a mountain 

This.
I just put my 11 year old lab down a few weeks ago. He was a good dog but I'll never own another one. They're too big and shed ALL of the time. I like my Brittanys and my Shorthair pup isn't bad either.

I'm not a lab guy these days and will never own another one either, but for your first gun dog and family companion I second bradybuck's advice 110%. Get a Lab. Stay away from designer colors and mixed breed labs. Put #1 and #2 in importance over other color choices or size. For example the last thing you want is to have your first dog go blind from PRA when it could have been prevented with health clearances. If you cut corners on the initial cost of the dog forgoing #1 and #2, it potentially will cost you much much more in the end.

Part of the reason I'm waiting until spring or summer is we're moving soon, and I want time to save up the money I don't plan to cheap out I want a dog with proven background and ability and I'm willing to pay for it. I am really thankful for all the advice and opinions so far.

PM sent

Wooties, here is my two bits. For what you want a retriever of some sort fits. Initially I was going to suggest a started dog. Then I read that you have young boys. Every boy needs atleast one puppy. Your gonna need to dog proof atleast one room cause a puppy is gonna chew on and get into everything for atleast a year and a half. The potty training is not going to happen as quick as you would like. Get your mind wrapped around that before you bring it home. It will also grow up with your boys and bond to them, then learn to hunt for them. As stated above, get all the health clearances by the breeder. It should come from hunting stock. You need to educate yourself about temperament and bidability. Different breeders breed for different things and the ones that don't talk about bidability and temperament probably don't view that as a priority. As a first time gundog owner those are two qualities that will make for a much better experience. I've had all kinds bird dogs and currently favor the versatiles, but for you a lab would be a good fit. If you are not gonna hunt geese, some of the smaller retrievers would probably work out as well, just make sure it is a breed that is strong in the water if you plan to duck hunt.
Enjoy the ride with your boys

You plan on duck and dove hunting in east Texas. Lab is absolutely your best option. PERIOD.

Duck and doves are best hunted with a retriever and none of the other breeds can consistently beat a labrador RETRIEVER.

BTW, I don't own a lab. I also don't hunt dove and duck in east Texas.

After your wife gets sick of the shedding and says you can't get another lab, then your next dog can be a Pudel pointer.

I say do your research. And when you do check out Boykins. I have my first one ever and I can't say enough good about him. Mine is only 4 months old and already doing blind retrieves. He is definitely one of the smartest dogs I've ever owned. I have owned labs, English pointers, GSPs, and a large variety of non hunting dogs. Whatever you get , check out the breeder first. I went with one that proud of the breed and won't sell a puppy to just anybody. Both parents had been checked for everything under the sun prior to breeding. They offered both a health and a buyback guarantee if I wasn't happy with him. I don't think they would do that without knowing the quality of breed and their line

I'm seeing a lot of good info and advice here . Got a question for Bud1Pointer tho . Is Boykins a place that sells puppies ? Just not familiar with most names selling puppies .

Boykin is a breed of dog. A Boykin Spaniel. Compact dove hunting machines.

Look at Boykins as a possibility for a Retriever. Can do 90% of the work a lab does when on the hunt in the field, especially in Texas. And comes in half the size. Plus, can switch to Upland mode for that occasional quail hunt you go on.

Oh ok , beautiful dog . I've only seen one of those in my lifetime out in east texas . I had no idea they were still available . How do prices run ?

I just so happened to be looking at a craigs list lastnight for my area and of all things the only bird dog breed available were a silver lab puppies on one ad and a yellow lab that was two years old . However i'd never buy a bird dog off a craig listing cause more likely they are not coming from a line of trained hunting dogs . Labs are popular out here in W. Texas for home pets and thats' ok but if they aren't trained and never get to hunt makes me feel sorry for them cause they are bred for hunting . Same way as I would love to have another Brittany but living in W.Texas in the city , working 40 hrs a week and a busy life I would not be treating one as well as it should be and my hunts have been so rare this last 30 yrs I could not use one properly other than just having a home pet . And if that's all I can do I might as well get some type of house dog or have a backyard mutt . When I was a young boy mutts were all I knew but they make the best dog a kid could have !

https://odessa.craigslist.org/pet/d/akc-silver-lab/6311357109.html

I contacted the owners by text and they want $1200.00/pup . They said they can be checked out more at silverlabsparistx.com . They have 2 males and a female available now .

Ron, the Boykin Spaniel is the state dog of South Carolina, where the breed was first started. They have just started to make their way out of the south east US in the past 5-10 years. Expect to spend anywhere from $1500 to $3000. Just like with any breed, health clearances and field titles are important.

I would recommend starting with a puppy and working up from there. It will be a good experience for your family and fun to watch him progress from a tiny cute little pully. Don't be intimidated by training your own family hunting dog. You're not going to be running a guide service or doing hunt tests with your first dog. Labs are smart, eager to please, and durable. As long as your expectation isn't to do multiple blind retrieves the first morning out you and your dog can learn and progress together over multiple years. You don't have to have a finished dog by the time the dog is 1, 2, or even 5 years old. You CAN teach old dogs new tricks.

I duck hunt mostly east tx and you can take them all the way from teal season (watch out for gators) through the regular season. The few days it's close to freezing throw a vest on them and as long as you have a dry place for them between retrieves they'll be just fine.

I haven't been through a lot of the video series but whichever one you choose watch it through entirely before you start training so you understand the end goals. Also if you haven't been out hunting with a decent dog, try to do so this season. Your lab already knows how to retrieve, you don't have to teach it that. You gotta teach it to sit quietly next to you for several minutes to an hour while waiting for ducks, then continue sitting during all the shooting until you send it, then bring it back to you in the blind. If you can do that, you have a hunting dog. If you have to throw a rock in the water for it to find a second duck then so what...it still got a duck you didn't have to get out of your blind or drive a boat to get it. This is a free training series on youtube that I used parts of. Might be worth a look.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9bKBr9Wfqc&list=PLHyoQckDgl04omRT7rT5IsvpvhVYqT_XR

I barely remember the one I saw back in E.Texas back when I was in HS in 1970 . Some people I knew had one but I didn't actually hear them say it was a Boykins but i'm sure that is what it was cause they did tell me it was a good bird dog but they were not hunters . But I remember it being exactly like the Boykins you mention . My best friend had a GSP and I remember the Boykin was not quite as tall as the GSP but beautiful brown color and had curly/wavey hair mostly on it's ears . I don't know where they got it but I know not from E.Texas at that time . However I did research online and find they actually came about back in the early 1900s' , just not recognized by the AKC at the time .

After discussing it with the miss, and oldest boy as listing to everyone's tips advice and general kindness we've decided a Lab is best for us. Thanks again to everyone we'll be buying the videos suggested and start saving money so when we move and get settled in we can bring in our newest family member. As far as hunting or going out with other people with hunting dogs I really don't know anyone, I have lost touch with all my old hunting buddies from high school so I'll ask around.

GSP if your going to do upland hunting. Owned lab and GSP for an all around dog the GSP fits better.

I'm an upland guy and it sounds as if you want a retriever. However, my two cents:
If you get a puppy crate train it.
If you are going to send the dog to a trainer see if you can arrange to accompany the dog. Some trainers have mentoring programs.
If you can spend time with a reputable trainer your outcome will be much greater than if you just send the dog.
Keep in mind that all hunting dogs are high energy and demand a lot of attention or they turn into real problems.
BTW labs need a lot of exercise and a strict diet as they have a tendency to weight gain that can shorten their hunting career.