GUN DOG BREED ADVICE

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bertie123

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Hi all !
Advice please! My 17 year old daughter is keen to have her own gun dog to train. At the moment I'm looking at a labrador as rightly or wrongly I've read they are a good allrounder and calmer than spaniels? Anyone own either and gun trained successfully? also anyone who knows of reputable breeders in the West Midlands area, please let me know. Thank you!
 
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spacefaer

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Definitely a lab as a first dog rather than spaniel (and we have both so have a direct comparison!)
Definitely easier to train and just lower energy

Is she looking to work it eventually or just enjoy the training? There are competitions at various levels as well as other sports.

Try Gundogs Direct for nice working bred dogs
Pups are comparatively cheap at the moment too. If she wanted a bit of a headstart, there are also some part trained dogs on there too

Happy to advise on pedigrees if you would like- some bloodlines are "hotter" than others.

My OH works, trains and trials his labs so can offer any advice going forward too.
 
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Morwenna

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As a first time dog owner (dog of my own rather than family dogs) I have a Labrador and am a complete convert. I do gundog training with mine for fun and because she loves it. I was torn between lab and spaniel when I was looking but went with lab in the end and I’m glad I did. The Lab owners in my gundog class do seem to have an easier time than the spaniel owners.
Mine is working lines but I have no idea about Labrador lines so can’t say if mine is ‘good’ or not.
 
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bertie123

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spacefaer said:
Definitely a lab as a first dog rather than spaniel (and we have both so have a direct comparison!)
Definitely easier to train and just lower energy

Is she looking to work it eventually or just enjoy the training? There are competitions at various levels as well as other sports.

Try Gundogs Direct for nice working bred dogs
Pups are comparatively cheap at the moment too. If she wanted a bit of a headstart, there are also some part trained dogs on there too

Happy to advise on pedigrees if you would like- some bloodlines are "hotter" than others.

My OH works, trains and trials his labs so can offer any advice going forward too.
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Thanks so much for this! she would like to work it eventually, but is interested in the gun dog training disciplines as it suits dogs with busy heads, and looks so rewarding! Thanks for the offer!
 
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Clodagh

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The game fair gundog display bits are usually very good.
There will also be lots of rare and beautiful gundog breeds there. Labs are common for a reason, they are very easy and make wonderful pets in down time.
I would resist too much ‘red type’ in the pedigree as they can be a bit hot. That’s not always the case though. If someone like Spacefaer is happy to cast her eye over breeding lines that would be great.
 
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Thistle

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I know a good lab breeder nr Cosford/Shifnal, message me if you want details. My dog is from them, daughter also has two of theirs, proper working labs, mainly black, with sound temperaments and fully health tested and council licenced. Bred by a gamekeeper and his partner, raiised on the shoot, they work a team of their own breeding. They also breed cockers too.
 
Rumtytum

Rumtytum

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bertie123 said:
I'm in Stourbridge so not a million miles away! Thank you. i'd already looked at GUNDOGS DIRECT, so thanks, was pleasantly suprised at the prices actually. Lab it is I think. Taking her to Game Fair later this month too to watch and learn more!
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Bit off the subject but I was born in Kingswinford and lived for many years in Kinver, moved south a long time ago but still have very fond memories of the area!
 
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bertie123

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Rumtytum said:
Bit off the subject but I was born in Kingswinford and lived for many years in Kinver, moved south a long time ago but still have very fond memories of the area!
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Hi! Yes we leave on outskirts of Kinver in Wollaston. I know K'ford well. Kinver is still very beautiful, house prices now through the roof! Lucky to have the countryside on the doorstep.x
 
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bertie123

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Thistle said:
I know a good lab breeder nr Cosford/Shifnal, message me if you want details. My dog is from them, daughter also has two of theirs, proper working labs, mainly black, with sound temperaments and fully health tested and council licenced. Bred by a gamekeeper and his partner, raiised on the shoot, they work a team of their own breeding. They also breed cockers too.
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Thanks Thistle. She'd like to start beating but not sure where to go really.
 
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bertie123

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Thistle said:
I know a good lab breeder nr Cosford/Shifnal, message me if you want details. My dog is from them, daughter also has two of theirs, proper working labs, mainly black, with sound temperaments and fully health tested and council licenced. Bred by a gamekeeper and his partner, raiised on the shoot, they work a team of their own breeding. They also breed cockers too.
Click to expand...
Thistle, could you message me their details?
 
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