Any gundogs that I should consider?

[Catsi]

The 'breeds you used to want' thread has prompted me to ask about activity levels in the gundog group.

I really like the Brittany, and the field ESS but I'm not sure if I could provide the best home for their activity levels. The Vizsla and GSPs I have met are very, very active and probably much too much for me?

My dogs do a lot of training and backyard play with me daily, roughly an hour a day spread out during the day. My chi x gets roughly 30 - 45 minutes of walks or runs on a long line 4 - 5 days a week. My stafford Grace, gets walked at least twice a week, but she is older and slowing down. A car ride is enough to get her excited and she has never been a high energy dog. She is happy with her daily zoomie sessions in the backyard with Abby. My grandmother's whippet goes for runs/walks with me 4 - 5 days a week. My own two dogs also visit my friend's property for an offlead run twice a week.

I am virtually exercising dogs every day, but sometimes it's not the same dog if that makes sense. I worry that some of the gundogs need more than I can realistically offer. All of mine would cope fine if I was sick in bed and couldn't move for a couple of days. I don't want a dog that I'd need to get someone in for just because I was knocked out with the flu lol (it'd be different if I broke my leg and needed help long-term... I'd definitely get someone in to help with the dogs).

Are there any gundogs that would suit my lifestyle? I am a great believer now in doing all I possibly can to get the best possible fit for me as an owner and just stacking the odds in my favour of getting a dog that is right for me and is just in bliss living with me. I do want to train in obedience and agility and do a lot of trick training in general, so I enjoy doing stuff with my dogs.

Actually, you can suggest any breeds if you like, I'm always open to suggestions.

 

[Kilter]

Storee is an over the top field/show blend golden. In a stricter home (ok one that didn't find her creative side so amusing and beat some manners into her) she'd be an awesome, but busy dog. Goldens are very much thinkers - for example I got on her case for putting her front paws on the table. Next time, she stood with her front paws in the air and surfed on the table. Gave her heck for that. Now she is working on 50 ways to leap ONTO the table to get into things if there's something there. It has taken her a long time to mature but she's now turning into a cool working agility partner, birds haven't been as hard to work with other than getting her to realize that I do count as part of that team and she can't just spit the bird at me then swim to the next thrower and bark at them to hurry up.

I was at her breeder's house today and would totally steal her male. Ok I talk about him a lot but he is the 'classic' poofy, stocky golden with the temperament to match and cool working drive too. I should just take him home sometime and leave her a ransom note.

 

[Dogs6]

I have a working bred ESS and he honestly has the best off switch ever. If he is in the house he is chilling on the couch, bed or under the computer desk (depends on where I am, but he's not obnoxious about being a constant shadow). It doesn't matter when his last walk/ run was even if it was a week ago he's still very chill and mellow.

However when I open the door he explodes. He goes flying out, jumps over the patio wall, runs down the lane and jumps back into our garden, races up to the top ad back down and settles to check out the smells. He doesn't tend to walk places, he's always running. If he's off leash and I haven't told him to stay close he's away. He adores the beach and would spend all day there if he was allowed (and sometimes tries to even if he's not).

He's very reliable off leash despite the fact he loves to run. He's always within sight (another reason he loves the beach is that he can run so much further) unless he heat distracted by his nose. Even then a whistle brings him flying back.

He's quite a soft dog. He has never tried to steal of the table after once as a puppy being scolded. He's also very cuddly. He will crawl onto my bed every night just to be close.as a puppy he also developed the adorable habit of sleeping on my dads shoulders and he still manages to squeeze himself into position.

That's probably a lot more info than you really wanted lol. Basically his activity level is awesome, he could go on forever but settles inside and never asks for exercise. if you have any questions feel free to PM me

 

[Romy]

I'm a sight hound person, and at this point in my life would only consider a spinone italiano or gordon setter due to activity levels. You might check into those breeds.

 

[poodlesmom]

Standard poodles are actually water retrievers and I am sure could be trained quite easily for ground work too. They excel at obedience & agility, are a joy to train and live with. They are up for any physical activity you want to do but are just as happy chilling out wth you too.

 

[Emily]

*insert obligatory reference to field-line Cocker Spaniels here*

 

[MicksMom]

Any objections to a Lab? And, I've got to say, as much as I love the breed, I'm the first to say they aren't for everyone. I'll second Poodlesmom's recommendation, too. If I could deal with the grooming, I'd seriously consider a Standard Poodle. I just find it easier to deal with shedding than all the combing and regular clippings that Poodles need.

 

[Zhucca]

A lab might be a good fit for you. If you find the appropriate breeder who is breeding dogs with a lower energy level. Likely go seek out a conformation breeder, there are plenty of nice looking, well tempered dogs to choose from in that sector.

My lab, Duke, is probably one of the easiest labs. He's content to laze around as much as I want to, but at the same time is game for anything. As soon as I'm up and moving, he is too. He'll go biking, swimming, and likes training. However as soon as I'm done he's asleep. He's not the sharpest tool in the shed but he makes do. He's tolerant of everything, loves everyone. (I think he's pretty perfect) However I think when raised right, the average adult dog is like this. Most gun dogs are crazy as puppies, but mellow out at around 2-3.

On the other hand, there's this other lab McGruff (yellow lab in my sig) who is field to the core. This dog is crazy. I mean, I love him to death. He's such a fun dog. He NEVER stops. You can never give him enough physical exercise, he'd go until he drops. He has a typical hyper dog neurosis in which he'll obsess over things - his vice is the ball. I can't have balls down or else he won't settle. He'll sit there compulsively chewing on it in front of me, or just plain throwing it in my face. He needs some mental exercise to be happy and settled in the home. He generally has good house manners when there's no balls available. I mean, he'll lie down for a little bit chew/rip up toys, then pace the house a bit. Rinse and repeat. He drives my family NUTS when I have him. I love him, though. He's just such an athlete and a thinker.

You know.. just choose your breeder carefully.

 

[SarahHound]

I've never met a show springer, but the working type springers are everywhere here, one of the most popular pets. I don't think their energy levels are too high. I've found that they will take 30mins-1 hour twice a day running and walking, and they are happy.

And I've met and looked after an awful lot of them! I'm hoping a Springer will be my next dog.

 

[Mina]

I'm a sight hound person, and at this point in my life would only consider a spinone italiano or gordon setter due to activity levels. You might check into those breeds.

I second the Spinone ! ! !

 

[Aleron]

I'd say an English Cocker would work well for you, especially if you are drawn to spaniels.

If you're worried Brittanys and ESS might be too high energy for you, definitely Viszlas, Weims and GSPs would be too much.

 

[Laurelin]

Welsh Springer? The one's I've met have been pretty calm dogs especially compared to the English springers.

 

[meepitsmeagan]

Vizsla's are still very much oriented to what they were originally bred for, which is hunting. From what I have done research wise about them, if they don't get at least 2 hours of good exercise, mental and physical, you will have a dog that will drive you nuts. This is the dog that my DH is getting in about 3-5 or so years (assuming one doesn't plant itself into our life unexpectedly).

http://www.vizslaforums.com/index.php?action=forum
is a good place to start if you are seriously looking into them.

I was looking into an ESS before I got my Boxer. I love them, I just don't have a good job for them. They sound like they would be a better fit than the V or the GSP. Oh, and a lot of V people are extremely protective of their breed... some breeders won't sell a dog to a household that doesn't plan on using them for hunting.