Which breed ????

[seeker3]

Here is my situation. I have 2 daughters (1 & 3). 3 acre lot, large back yard. I had a lab that was killed last year, hit by a car. We loved the lab and he was a good hunter, both ducks and upland game, however he was so big for the house. He was constantly knocking things over including the kids. The other draw back was the amount of shedding. Looking for another dog, one that is gentle w/ kids and does not shed as much. I am open to any suggestions.

[squirrelgravy]

Don't laugh, but Standard Poodles don't shed, and make good retrievers.

[GSP]

Guess I'm biased. German Shorthairs make great family dogs, actually have heard of a few that make hunting dogs![:D]

[handgunner]

Them GSP's will hunt?:)

[settermollieb]

i use a standard poodle also , along witha eng setter and a brit
rememer the standard poodle was the orgingal duck dog

[seeker3]

The Poodle?? How is there nose and are they tough enough in freezing cold water.

[grousegunner]

seeker3 search no further. I'm probally going to get some grief from birdman & grouseguy on this one. A buddy of mine went through the same dilema, he likes to waterfowl,dove & upland hunt as well.He's been spoiled for the last eleven years by a lab that could hunt anything with wings. after alot of research & calling refferences, he now owns a GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER that is one of the finest hunting dogs I've ever been around(I'm very picky). versatile is an understatement. we found a breeder out of north dakota that has had the same strain of dogs for over 18 years & running.He knows his dogs well & he delivered a dog that has turned out to be exactly what he said it would. this past year was his first season & by the time he was 5 mos. old he'd already picked up a couple hundred doves. Duck season rolled around & he never missed a beat. were grouse hunting him now & he's picking up just fine. as far as disposition he's as gentle as a they come & they shed next to nothing. If your around central kentucky your more than welcome to come check him out. hope this helps....G.G.

[grousegunner]

by the way seeker cash(the german wire haired pointer) only weighs a tad bit under 60 lbs.

[settermollieb]

the poodle is a house dog , but she loves the snow, cold doesn't bother her, the bad thing about taking her is getting the burrs out of her and cleaning her up. i get her cut real short and her ears an dtop of her head trimmed . she's like a magnet to cockleburrs.
when the other dogs go on point you better be ready, she knows whats going on.

[Beagleboy]

gsp your crzy shorthaires are one of the best huntin dog around. Mine hunts everything from quail to woodcock.seeker3 I advise a shorthair

[grousegunner]

How do them shorthairs hold up retrieving in water when its well below freezing outside ?

[smashdn]

Labradoodle isn't that a mix of a lab and poodle? What about one of them critters?

[GSP]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by grousegunner</i>
<br />How do them shorthairs hold up retrieving in water when its well below freezing outside ?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

They can handle it if you work them in it.
You need to remember, he is looking for water retriever, upland game, low shed, small/med. size and family dog. That is a tough combo on ALL parts.
Many dogs will fit 3, but all 5 is tough.

[grousegunner]

....& a german wirehair is 5 for 5. their retrieving instinct will put a lot of labs to shame, & they love water regardless of the temperature outside. 60lbs. in weight & shed next to nothing.

[seeker3]

GROUSEGUNNER, CAN YOU GIVE ME THE INFO ON THE BREEDER?

[grousegunner]

seeker there web address is www.wrtc.com/arby1/ gary & deb Arback, 701-462-8494 good luck....G.G.