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Hello everyone im thinking of getting a dog to be a walking companion for when i go hunting/walking every weekend and hopefully be able to also track deer one day.
Im able to walk it once a day and let it out of its kennel every morning.
Im just wondering what kind of breed would be best suited to my needs energetic but not too full on able to cross rivers etc
Any ideas or advice? Cheers
How far you planning on walking it every day mate??
Do you mean it will have the "run of the house" during the day and only kenneled at night?
5km and ill have to have it in a kennel in day time as im at work and at night.
Have to say wouldn't recommend any of the pointing breeds nor a vizsla (unless you can take it to work with you).Quote:
Originally Posted by simontrevor
based on what ? they are only suitable for the unemployed or self employed ? I call bullshit on that mikee.
I wouldn't recommend any breed or cross breed, it's a personal choice best made after a lot of homework and leg work to meet the various types.
most dogs can handle a fair amount of exercise when they are mature.
Sweet as kawhia cheers yea just doing some research seems like quite a few people run labradors
i have always had a preference for pointing breeds, but for your situation, i would say get a labrador from true working bloodlines,not a heavy type,athletic.they are a great alround dog,easy to train and great characters.get one from the right bloodlines ,don't sucumb to puppy appeal.
Oh yea true thankyou theres little or no pure breeds pups in my area that i know of at the moment i do know of someone wanting to do a staffy labrador litter in the future
Never said that my missus and I both work full time too mate.Quote:
Originally Posted by kawhia
We have 2 EPs, Given we live in town I would not think with a 5 km run daily and kennel the rest (or most) of the time the neighbors would be very happy. Never mind the dogs.
Our own dogs get 6-7km off lead exercise every night (rain hail or shine) , and I mean every night) which takes commitment on our part.
Cant go wrong with a lab. They make great mates and i know of a few that both go duck shooting and track deer.
+1 to the labs, they're as happy sitting in front of the fire licking their balls as they are cold and wet beside you in the maimai or in the hills.
Couldnt have said it better BrakelieQuote:
Originally Posted by Brakelie
I have a few dogs and live on the green belt with lots of neighbours, work 12 hr days, other half works 10 hr days plus two kids in the mix.
dogs are contented with self exercise in the dog paddock twice a day, the only time I put km's into the dogs is keeping them in condition for the game season.
I always question the need to put so much exercise into a dog for no actual reason, particually pups who only just grow into hyper adults.
Irvine. Supplejack Valley. Breeds good Labs and hunts
Thanks guys ill keep a good lookout for labs im in the nelson reason
Region*
Labradors have once again taken the title of New Zealand's most popular dog breed.
There are more than 41,000 registered Labradors in the country.
Also topping the list are the Huntaway, Border Collie, Jack Russell and Heading dogs.
These official figures come from the National Dog Database, in the past year over half a million dogs have been registered.
[QUOTE=simontrevor;274384 i do know of someone wanting to do a staffy labrador litter in the future[/QUOTE]
Ye gads!!!! Wot for????:o
Proof positive @Dundee, the place is going to the dogs:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Dundee
He wants to try a litter for pig hunting dogs in his pack
In upper moutrere?Quote:
Originally Posted by GSP
also note a corresponding rise in the profitability of dog food companies as quantities sold rise expedentialy:DQuote:
Labradors have once again taken the title of New Zealand's most popular dog breed.
Make sure its purebred mate. Little more expensive but they are alot different to non purebreads and you never know what other species they will have in them.
Yep, dogs need a life too, there are some who seem to think your mutt is like a wind up toy that you get out when it suits.Quote:
Originally Posted by mikee
I currently have the Labrador breed and the Pointer breed at home
My past experience is mainly with the Labrador breed.
Of the two, in your circumstance, I would unhesitatingly recommend the Labrador breed.
I would not run either of them 5k a day, no where bloody near it.
Funny thing about dogs isn't it...they sleep all day in their kennel...let them out and they go nuts for a few minutes then lay down and sleep again.
I'll put my crazy dog lady two cents in - Go the mutts! The best working dogs I've ever seen have been NZ Collies, the good old heading dog.
Well done for wanting to put the miles into the pooch but don't forget about brain games and training. Have fun!! Sounds like you've got a great challenge ahead :) Dogs are the best, aren't they??!
Cheers guys very intresting all the different opinions the dog would be living on my fathers farm up the road from where i live once its older where i would attempt to train/walk it. My parents are going to be living up there shortly my mother is keen to also spend time with a dog as she enjoys walking too. Im going to do some more research on exercise as there seems to be a lot of mixed views cheers guys :)
Ok cheers so do you give your dogs smaller walks or self excercise? CheersQuote:
Originally Posted by jakewire
Not trying to put you off but be prepared for a challenge - sounds like you'll not just be training the dog, but training more humans too. Write down some rules and stick to them.Quote:
Originally Posted by simontrevor
I've always found that one-handler dogs are the most responsive as consistency is the key.
My dog takes the piss when my other half cues him to do things, and since Mr Man has come along (the dog was first) the sharpness of my dog's behaviour has waned considerably. Not to his demise or anything but it's definitely noticeable.
Yea true very good point i just dont want the dog to be too lonely during the day? Some people have a lot of different view for hunting dogs kenneled all day and night let out once in avo others out in paddocks others let out morning night just want to do whats best i guess cheers
Fair enough and good on you for researching.
Personally (my dog isn't a hunting dog although he does come hunting with me, if that makes sense haha!) my guy is usually alone 6 hours a day at the least. Partner and I both work shifts so dog gets a little more attention I guess but when we are home, he just sleeps really. When we are not home...he also sleeps!
We get out (any weather) at least once a day for at least 15min exercise. This could be up to two hours, but 15min is our minimum. "Getting out" always includes training whether that is tracking, obedience or tricks; and also running, be it one of us running with him or hitting the ball for him to chase.
Back inside we do minimum half an hour training throughout the day but that is broken up into small sessions normally 5min each.
When the dog is inside, he always has access to fresh water, his crate and some safe toys but usually won't do anything but sleep if I'm not around. Pigs ears, Gorilla Kong stuffed with dried meat and peanut butter, knotted rags, empty milk bottles etc are in the toolbox of shit the dog can destroy. But like I say, he doesn't really touch them unless I'm home.
On the weekends/days off, dog will come out for a day long hunt and overnighters if I have the time.
Dog is a four year old German Shepherd cross, just shy of 30kg and lean and fit. He's regularly run 30km with my man friend and can get up to near 40kph next to a quad bike (not quite as fast as @Dundee 's dog Bolt!) but you get the idea - he's not a handbag dog but does just fine with being at home alone for an extended period of time on a regular basis.
Tip though - don't just go straight into leaving your puppy to his own ends in the house for 6 hours a day right off the bat ;)
He wont be lonely...he'll be asleep.Quote:
Originally Posted by simontrevor
If you read back on the best wisdom around producing a hunting dog it's ... if he isn't under your direct control he should be in a kennel.
His/her only satisfaction should happen under your control.
Long walkies are really opportunity to form bad habits...ie self hunting
Hah...I'm a product of the Ruff/GDT school of dog understanding.
There is a quote in the go-to book for training a pointer and setter by Derry Argue that always springs to mind when I hear people speak of puppy management - "I like to manage my puppies by keeping them unfit and naïve"
At first glance it sounds simple enough, but it basically sums it up. Unfit enough to not need a continuous physical outlet, and only exposing them to the positive things you want them to - the value of a kennel and run. In fact the greatest benefits of a kennel are psychological and are far above the convenience of the actual physical containment.
In the last few years I've come to know quite well a person who would be the top handler currently in P&S trials. What was a revelation to me was her kennel management with a large (for NZ) kennel of dogs. All I can say on the matter after seeing her methods is that it isn't the amount of time they are given, its the quality of time given at the correct moments in a dogs life. That she can achieve the level of control she does over the amount of dogs she has, within the time constraints she has, was a real eye opener. Quality time, at the right time!
[QUOTE=Dougie;275583]Fair enough and good on you for researching.
Dog is a four year old German Shepherd cross, just shy of 30kg and lean and fit. He's regularly run 30km with my man friend and can get up to near 40kph next to a quad bike (not quite as fast as @Dundee 's dog Bolt!) but you get the idea - he's not a handbag dog but does just fine with being at home alone for an extended period of time on a regular basis.
Clocked Bolt at 45km/hr today this is an old clip will try and get a better one tomorrow.:D
http://youtu.be/vOJHxuIRacM?list=UUp..._SGQ5gu9AWqKRg
Thats my dog.
Have clocked my bitch at 53kmh...
Interesting...does a dog have a concept of time? The kennel is 'their' space...
Yes they do, but not able to tell the time like a clock as that is human invention, but they sure know when it's coming up dinner time!Quote:
Interesting...does a dog have a concept of time?
Had the same point of view when I started out, I thought I'd keep the dog in the house even (worst mistake ever). Free roaming to people may seem to be "keeping a dog busy" but it allows them to pick things up. At one point I had my pup chew the weatherboard of my house. What followed after the act was a unnecessary correction which could have been avoided.Quote:
Originally Posted by simontrevor
Dogs need their own time and space. Quality outing in the morning and a longer walk in the evening is sufficient (Quality not quantity), as for training - a well bred dog doesn't even need that much training as many people think (depending on breed and required work). The dog will be more calm and happier with a structured lifestyle. So will you.
Oh yea true good advice cheers :)