Dog recommendations?

[Circledog]

I'm interested in getting a dog. I primarily duck hunt, some dove, some snipe, and would like to quail hunt if time permitted (not a priority). My wife is not a dog person (never owned one) and claims to have a dog allergy. I'm trying to find a great family dog, good hunter, and a minimal shedder. Does the dog exist?

[hunt-chessies]

just find a good hunting buddy with a good dog!! LOL

you know if momma's against it it will be hard.... I'd look at a boykin or american water spanial..... small, cute, easy to deal with in the home, and both IF trained well can be GREAT all around dogs

[hunt-chessies]

Not off the top of my head but i'll do some looking around for you.... many great breeders of both breeds in the carolinas.... i'm sure someone has a lead on one somewhere. I'll ask a few questions and see what i come up with

[GMAN2506]

Jorge, try the duck hunter's refuge site. They have a gun dog page that has many kennel sites on there.

[RSCeranic]

You may want to reach out to Sheryl Devore at Chesagrove Kennels in Lithia Springs. http://www.chesagrove.com/ She recently went through a divorce and is having to sell her place and get rid of her dogs. She had some tollers that were started she was trying to find a home for. I got one from her years ago and she has been great. She is smaller like a Boykin and very sweet. Her smaller size makes her more manageable around the house and easier on the kids. She has a lot of drive with birds. They are a softer breed and respond better to positive reinforcement. As far as shedding, she isn't too bad. They do have a longer coat. I just got a shorthair though and he sheds way worse than my Suzie.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc87/RSCeranic/100_6226.jpg
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc87/RSCeranic/Suzwater.jpg

[D Duck]

My wife is not a dog person (never owned one) and claims to have a dog allergy.
I think I would make sure this is not really an issue before I would bring an animal into the house. If it turns out she is allergic, you have a problem and it's not fair to the dog or the wife at that point.

[backcast]

You may want to reach out to Sheryl Devore at Chesagrove Kennels in Lithia Springs. http://www.chesagrove.com/ She recently went through a divorce and is having to sell her place and get rid of her dogs. She had some tollers that were started she was trying to find a home for. I got one from her years ago and she has been great. She is smaller like a Boykin and very sweet. Her smaller size makes her more manageable around the house and easier on the kids. She has a lot of drive with birds. They are a softer breed and respond better to positive reinforcement. As far as shedding, she isn't too bad. They do have a longer coat. I just got a shorthair though and he sheds way worse than my Suzie.
]

I know of a bunch of dogs that came from her place. Good to work with.

[Circledog]

I think I would make sure this is not really an issue before I would bring an animal into the house. If it turns out she is allergic, you have a problem and it's not fair to the dog or the wife at that point.
I understand the concern. The truth is she chooses to stay with two sets of our friends when traveling for work twice a month. Both of which own multiple dogs, plus she had never had trouble when staying at my parents(which had two labs). This is a selective allergy that comes out at my house. Still searching.

[Randy Clark]

scout and griz both love kids ducks and snipe. lab and a lab pit mix :smileinbo

[SSPhone]

I vote Vizsla. Real short hair, very soft, easy with kids. There called velcro dogs because they pick a family member and stick too them. I have/had 4 V's until this past week. They can range in size. Dan is 43 lbs and Hoover is huge at about 80 lbs.

[Maysport]

Started Boykins may be a little hard to find. They'd be a good fit as you've described, though - little shedding, etc. They are a great dog and a go-anywhere companion with a big heart. The puppies can be precocious and need to be watched - if your wife doesn't pick up her clothes, the younger dogs have a tendency to eat ankle socks!

Here's a listing of litters if you want to train a pup: http://www.boykinspaniel.org/litter.html

Be sure to check hunting & health pedigrees of the dam and sire.

For started dogs, try checking with these folks:

John Huddleston, Over the Mountain Boyins: http://www.otmboykins.com/

Pam Kadlek, Just Ducky Kennels: http://www.boykinspaniel.com/

Check with the Boykin Spaniel Society office with any questions - they are very friendly!

Good Luck...

[Duckaholic Doug]

The same goes for a started lab or chessie. I appreciate it. No time to train a puppy these days.

If time is a problem, considering a hunting buddy with a trained retriever.

http://www.acesretrievers.com/started-puppies

I got Jackson from Ace's Retrievers. You can get a started Pup with the obedience training and imprinting, shot over, clipped wing pigeon retrieves, water retrieves. Ace starts working them at two months. The obedience work was phenomenal. Or, the started dog. His training is amazing, watch the videos. Either way, YOU HAVE TO PUT TIME IN learning the commands and working with YOUR dog. The dog needs to bond with you and trust you. You can get the best trained dog, but if you don't know how to work with the dog, you are useless with the training you paid for.

My dog has instinct and drive beyond compare. Great Hunter (10 lost ducks this season, found by his nose). Soft family dog. He loves the ladies. Labs shed, period. Buy a Dyson Vacuum, consistent baths, and brushing reduces the annoyance of shedding (or keep a kennel). He rides in my truck, I clean weekly and have it detailed once a month (Or before special dates with my wife).

[Duckaholic Doug]

I'm interested in getting a dog. I primarily duck hunt, some dove, some snipe, and would like to quail hunt if time permitted (not a priority). My wife is not a dog person (never owned one) and claims to have a dog allergy. I'm trying to find a great family dog, good hunter, and a minimal shedder. Does the dog exist?

Great Hunter and Family dog does exist: http://www.acesretrievers.com/started-puppies

"Minimal Shedder" - that will be a tough one. Even the Spaniels shed, maybe a little less. Capt Jeff is a good contact, I think he had a Spaniel. Send him a PM.

All my duck retrievers have been pure breed Labs. They have the natural instinct, period. Breeding and Bloodline are very important. I have seen great pound dogs, or rescued Labs work as great duck retrievers, however, you are rolling the dice. Getting a hunting dog that will listen in the field and be quiet and still in the marsh, must have good genes. My dog will sit in the middle of the open marsh and be still for the ducks to come in. When Jackson is in the hunt, he behaves more crisp on commands. He knows this is what he was born to do? He dreams about it. Every morning he points to the bumpers for the AM practice session (only 10-15 minutes), but he wants to practice and he wants to hunt. You cannot train that. Ace Berry will tell you, "Any dog can be trained, Can the handler?"

With respect to SSphone, the Visla's take a lot of training. I had a friend that would drive his car around his neighbor hood at 25 mph and let the dog run behind to burn off his energy. They have a lot of energy. Hoo is a great dog. He was very friendly to me the other evening. But you would have to ask Steve about Duck Retrieving the Visla, I have not done it.

http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac7/ddort/th_IMG_0059.jpg (http://s880.photobucket.com/albums/ac7/ddort/?action=view&current=IMG_0059.jpg)
http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac7/ddort/th_IMG_0074.jpg (http://s880.photobucket.com/albums/ac7/ddort/?action=view&current=IMG_0074.jpg)

[Duckaholic Doug]

The same goes for a started lab or chessie. I appreciate it. No time to train a puppy these days.

If time is a problem, considering a hunting buddy with a trained retriever.

http://www.acesretrievers.com/started-puppies

I got Jackson from Ace's Retrievers. You can get a started Pup with the obedience training and imprinting, shot over, clipped wing pigeon retrieves, water retrieves. Ace starts working them at two months. The obedience work was phenomenal. Or, the started dog. His training is amazing, watch the videos. Either way, YOU HAVE TO PUT TIME IN learning the commands and working with YOUR dog. The dog needs to bond with you and trust you. You can get the best trained dog, but if you don't know how to work with the dog, you are useless with the training you paid for.

My dog has instinct and drive beyond compare. Great Hunter (10 lost ducks this season, found by his nose). Soft family dog. He loves the ladies. Labs shed, period. Buy a Dyson Vacuum, consistent baths, and brushing reduces the annoyance of shedding (or keep a kennel). He rides in my truck, I clean weekly and have it detailed once a month (Or before special dates with my wife).

[SSPhone]

Vizsla video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4teNGH-coNc

[LockedWings87]

Ashland Kennels.. the best labs for hunting... Mine lives to retrieve and he can prob. swim faster than most people on this forum... the desire he has is incredible.. check them out, they have started dogs and puppy's
He is also a small lab.. only 50 pounds

[g8rvet]

What is the price range? You can get exotic for minimal shedders (like Irish Water Spaniel or Curly Coated retriever) but you will have to get off your wallet.

I have a contact as well with started dogs in South georgia, very affordable and good gun dogs. You want hunting dog, not a field trialer I assume. PM me if interested. Darby Boyette in Attapulgus Georgia has some fine dogs (labs) and is an excellent trainer. Her current lead dog is a go getter, but very well mannered when not hunting.