Gundogs?

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Lara575

Gundogs?

Post by Lara575 »

Hi all

As you know my neighbour was choosing what breed would suit her and after everyones help she decided on the Golden. Well after talking with her this morning she told me that the Golden did seem perfect except for one thing , that Goldies LOVE EVERYONE. This does not appeal to her as she is not the most socible person and would prefer a dog who did not want say hello and love on everyone. So the Golden is out.

She told me she's 100% feels her perfect breed is in the Gundog group, so all I wanted to ask was can anyone tell me any gundogs breeds that are not over the top with strangers, " like people but LOVE there owners" she does not want a protective dog in anyway just a breed who does not care about strangers. She does not mind if there a little suspicious of strangers at first and then warm up to them.

Are there any gundogs like this? A bonus would be if there also laid back and easy going like the Golden but she's not as bothered about this as she is about the above?

Last thing no hyper gundogs ( that don't have an off switch)

Exercise both physically and mentally are not limited as she is free all day so can spend all day outside on hikes ect. if the dog wanted.
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Nettle
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Re: Gundogs?

Post by Nettle »

Tell her she can perfectly well train her GR not to go up to everyone. That's one of the reasons they are so popular as Assistance and Guide dogs. They are very trainable.
A dog is never bad or naughty - it is simply being a dog

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Lara575

Re: Gundogs?

Post by Lara575 »

Thanks Nettle

This is probably a stupid question but I have to ask as I know she will. If she did decide on a Golden would she be able to get help on here on how to train her Goldie not to go up to everyone?

Edited - just went round to tell her and she would still like Gundog recommendations on not being over the top with strangers?

Thank you
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Nettle
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Re: Gundogs?

Post by Nettle »

Any decent trainer can show her that, so when she goes to her training classes, she should pick a trainer who is happy to train to her own requirements. Note that she will need to socialise the puppy with people first and then work on it staying with her once it is happy with people in general.
A dog is never bad or naughty - it is simply being a dog

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Suzette
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Re: Gundogs?

Post by Suzette »

It's true that most goldens never meet a person they don't like, but it was quite easy to train mine to stay with me and not run up to everyone for a meet and greet. Every breed needs to learn impulse control and happily, goldens are quick learners. :wink:
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Erica
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Re: Gundogs?

Post by Erica »

A lot of the other gundog breeds are going to be extremely active, and with breed behavior quirks that make them a real challenge for first time owners. I agree with the others - better to stick with the golden and train them to focus on her. Goldens are really lovely dogs and fantastically good students!
Delta, standard poodle, born 6/30/14
Lara575

Re: Gundogs?

Post by Lara575 »

Hi all

Thanks for your replys

She's told me she's just doesn't see herself with a Golden. I told her she would have saved time if she told me that. I'm getting one I think there cracking dogs :D

I going to make a suggestion on her behalf. Can any of you make recommendations on the above about the other Gundogs and if anyone can think of a breed who maybe have the whole not loving strangers but would make a good first dog who is not in the Gundog group as well. She will research the breeds herself.

I just want recommendations for a first time handler who does not want the dog to LOVE everyone.

Again physical and mental exercise is not limited and she plans on having group and one to one training. Grooming commitment is not limited either. .

Not interested in independent nature's or hyper high strung dogs , sensitive nature's like collies or excessive barking.
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Nettle
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Re: Gundogs?

Post by Nettle »

I recommend she gives you a shortlist of exactly what she wants which will save all of us wasting our time.
A dog is never bad or naughty - it is simply being a dog

SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS
Lara575

Re: Gundogs?

Post by Lara575 »

OK , I shall see if she could give me a list now.

I will write a list when I have it.
Lara575

Re: Gundogs?

Post by Lara575 »

Hi all

Here is a list as requested

What she wants

1) medium (springer spaniel size) to large (setter size) in size

2) not over the top with strangers but adores owner

3) laid back , placid nature , playful

4) easy to train

5) medium engery level

6) no more grooming need than a rough collie

7) good with other dogs

not to challenging for a first time owner. She know that all dogs have the difficulties but she wants a breed who is not to difficult for a newbie.

What she does NOT want

1) excessive barking or a tendency to howl

2) hyper or no off switch when already had tons of exercise

3) drooling to the extent of a St Bernard

,4) not confidant to deal with sensitive or independent nature

5) any breed who has a tendency to become aggressive ( she is a little apprehensive around dogs with a reputation of aggression)

6) she's not interested in any dog sport like Agility or anything like search and rescue. All mental stimulation will be in the form of training , brain toys like Kong's and brain games outside.

Physical exercise is not limited as she has all day free so the dog would be able to have as much or as little as the dog wanted as she is very active, she goes on hikes daily.

Mental she said is again not really limited but to give you an idea she said the least she could give would be around 2hrs of mental exercise a day. (I thought that was a lot) and even on hikes will play brain games with the dog. And even sitting at a cafe she was even thinking of giving the dog a brain toy like a kong.

I hope this helps.
Last edited by Lara575 on Sat Jun 04, 2016 1:49 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Shalista
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Re: Gundogs?

Post by Shalista »

Greyhound? (sorry i'm currently obsessed :P )
Baxter (AKA Bax, Chuckles, Chuckster) Rat Terrier, born 01/16/13
Lara575

Re: Gundogs?

Post by Lara575 »

Hi

Oh I love greyhounds. But don't they have an independent nature? As she does not feel comfortable to deal with that with being a newbie.
JudyN
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Re: Gundogs?

Post by JudyN »

I wondered about a greyhound. They tend to be friendly but reserved with other people - if they were humans they would shake hands, or doff their cap at you, none of this huggy kissy stuff. Though if you give them a good bum scratch they'll lean all their weight against you :roll:

They are sensitive, though, and you have to be ready to deal with the prey drive. Any dog can freak out at, say, an loud argument in the house, or a scary dustbin lorry, and any dog us likely to chase a rabbit (though a lot less likely to catch one). You just need to be aware of what could go wrong, and manage the risks (e.g. don't let it off lead in deer country close to roads).
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ScarletSci
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Re: Gundogs?

Post by ScarletSci »

A pointer or a setter might be good for her. I'm thinking german short-haired pointer, but not entirely sure why I'm leaning that way, just a gut feeling. Prey drive would be something to be aware of though, so I'd look along show rather than working lines, and see if she'd be interested in training that works towards "the point". An experienced gun dog trainer (one that uses positive only methods!) would be able to show her ways to work out the dogs instincts, without necessarily working in a hunt situation.
Lara575

Re: Gundogs?

Post by Lara575 »

Thanks Scarletsci

She was spending most of last night researching the pointers and setters.

All setters are out. She really and I mean REALLY have fallen for the English pointer and the German Short haired pointer.

Firstly she can't choose as she like both and secondly she's been reading a few things on the GSP that makes her unsure but she still likes them :D . I think we're getting somewere :D .

If anyone can give the opinions on a few thinks she read that would be much appreciated. Once she chooses she is then going to meet some in person of the chosen breed.

1) regarding first time owner she read that English pointers have a softer temperaments than the GSP and aren't as highly strung as the GSP and because of this the English Pointer makes a better first dog.

2) she read that GSP are BIG barkers but on another article she read they hardly bark? Which one is it.

3) you know that she can give loads of physical and mental exercise to the dog but she has read they can be like border collies really hyper and highly strung and never have an off switch in the evening? Is this true

I know this would help her. I'm glad she has finally found 2 breeds she really likes. :D
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