best gundog?

[Jack NUFC 1]

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Edited January 5, 2009 by ferretingkid

[robwak 0]

Hi all, first time putting up a topic up in this section so go easy on me

 

was thinking of getting a lurcher but now that i am applying for a game keepering course, i think it will best if i get a gundog, because im applying for my SGC virtually as we speak and i think a gundog could be taught how to ferret and thats all i was really looking for in a lurcher, so a gundog it has to be. i have 2 labs but only pets unfortunatly got them when me and my brother were younger and wernt allowed guns at that age, so they never got trained.

 

Enough of my life story the question i'm trying to get across is what gundog is best for trainability, flushing and retreiving and all the other attributes that are essential in the field, always liked spaniels but here they can be abit loopy some times.

Any info appreciated also is there any books or dvd's about that show you the training of a gundog something along the lines of purdy's progress

 

thanks in advance F.k

Hi - for a first attempt at training a labrador would probably be your best bet. Spaniels are hard work!!!

[Jack NUFC 1]

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Edited January 5, 2009 by ferretingkid

[graham01 1]

Just trained a sprocker for my first dog and as long as you are firm from the off and let nothing slip by they are fine....but they will test your patience!!! ,great fun though.

[pipmoff 0]

To be honest any dog will test your patience when you are an inexperienced dog handler. I have my first dog a Rohdesian Ridgeback (Pig headed stubborn breed) and there were times when he was a pup he pushed me to dispair now after alot of time and training love and affection he is a great dog and a big part of the household.He is great around kids and friends and I have also had him out beating on the shoot when he was 18 months old with no problems other than taking a liking to a lab bitch.His hunting is coming on well now the other day he put up a few pheasants snipe and flushed a few rabbits on a walk round the fields he is also very good at tracking foxes and turns a blind eye to the sheep most of the time he will very occasionally run towards them but has never tried to nip or attack them.

Edited March 10, 2008 by pipmoff

[dogga 1]

i have cockers and springers and would say they are the way to go mate they cover all the aspects you need .as for being hard work ,you will find any dog hard if it is your first thats part of the enjoyment!!!i would definately recommend edward martin masterclass dvds as they are a really really good step by step training manual by someone who is damn good at what he does but still retains his human side and understands the fact that people watching are novices and not field trial winners already.enjoy whatever you get and keep us posted.if i can be of any help pm me mate.