I’m looking for a good dog

We’re looking to get a new pup.
Our last 3 were either recovered from the side of the road or adopted from the pound. We loved them and cared for them and they were our best friends.
While we miss them dearly, we are wanting to fill the void and provide a home for a new family member.
If you are in the PNW and know of a bitch that will whelp in the next year with a quality litter, please let me know. From past experience we are concerned about breeds with hip problems and other health issues.
Our anticipated dog duties are: general patrol of 4 acres, chasing deer off the gardens and intimidating intruders, interacting WELL with small children, potentially helping with occasional pheasant hunting, and/or duck and goose retrieval.
Perhaps this is a dream about a non-existent unicorn but I thought I would ask.
I’m discouraged by the prices for dogs that I’ve researched about on line. I thought I’d ask here on the forum and see if there is any help.

 

Bullydog is a good dog

 

Good luck with your search. Dad may breed his lab, but she is still to young right now.

Keep you in mind if something around here pops up.

 

Brother, I've had labs and shih-tzus, and they're both solid. Plenty of them in need of rescue. The only breeds I haven't had a positive experience with were Pitts and Yorkies.

 

Sorry I missed the "duties" requirement! Check out Australian Shepherds. They're a working dog, very trainable.

 

Wirehaired pointing griffon. Father in law has two and we have one now. Great companions, smart dogs, great with kids and other dogs, pointer for hunting and doesn’t shed to boot.

 

I’m side by side with my son and his family. This dog will provide companionship and security for us both and the entire place. He’s already expressed a desire for a border collie or similar. You’re right about them being smart and trainable!

 

Met one at a brewery the other night and the shit that dog could do was awesome, especially since the owner just devoted time to him. I guess that's with all dogs, but this pups desire to work and please his owner and maintain focus was badass.

 

I’m not in the PNW, and if price is a factor this may be useless. There is no other being in this world I can rely on and trust like a male Vizsla(probably biased). This is Bo, he does everything you want and so much more with little training.

 

Good luck with your search, We recently got a rescue dog from a Korean meat truck rescue in the bay area. She's a Boarder Terrier. "Shelby".
My wife's picture app made this 1st photo look like a drawing. Rescue dogs are such great dogs.

 

Nice save. Literally!

 

I’ve got a tri color Aussie that’s 11 years old. He’s the smartest dog I’ve ever had. And, at 11, he’s still extremely active. He’s slowed down some, but a still loves
to go for a run with me about every day.

 

I have a Boxer Bulldog mix and a Shepherd Akita mix, both females both rescued from bad homes, loyal gentle great with kids and can put on the mean-face and bark when needed. They are nearing 8 both and when they go I don't know what I'll do, maybe another rescue, those Cane Corso look like an interesting breed but I bet they cost a fortune.

 

Catahoula leopard dog I have two. smart, loyal and good with kids and other dogs and animals, Just like any other dog you have to spend time with them they wont train themselves.

-Jason

 

I'm going to have to say vizsla also. This is ours "Yetti". Can be a lazy couch dog or run non-stop outside and crazy smart. Ours will notice if something is different or moved around the house or outside. Great with our 1 year old daughter also!

 

Yeah, the cost of ownership as well as upkeep has escalated in the last 10 years. We do get occasional snow of a short duration and a few weeks of icy weather. I’m reaching out to the Tundra brotherhood in the hope of locating a good suitable dog from a known source and still be affordable. I know how losing your dog feels and we are almost reluctant to do it again. Great dogs really become family members.

 

He does ok but ya doesn't handle it for very long unless he is running. These dogs can't be left outside or cold water retrieves like say labs in the cold due to only having a single fur coat

 

Our last, a coyote mix, was left by a white trailer trash drug dealer on a chain.

Definitely the cutest, most co-dependent dog ever

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangal_Shepherd_Dog

 

sorry brother I have not got to that point yet, we are still looking for a house.

 

I have a Border Collie, please read up on the breed before you dive in. They need a lot of exercise, mentally and physically. If you think you can fulfill those requirements then go for it.
I always say to the wife that I wish there was like a bank of sorts that you can store the exercise and activity you did and use it whenever but we we realized the more we do with her the more she wants to do.
I can play ball with her, take her to herd sheep, take her running next to me on the bike in the trails and she will still be looking to do more after that, their energy never depletes.
And be careful cause they are very smart, they learn fast and will give you a run for your money if you think you can outsmart them.

If you cant fulfill those needs of the breed they can be a nightmare and even cause harm to themselves. Ive seen some videos and its horrible what they go through when not cared for properly. You sound like great dog parents and a Border Collie might be the perfect fit of you.

 

+1 for the Vizsla. Amazing creatures as others have said. Very high energy and need exercise on a regular basis. does not want your attention but rather NEEDS your attention a lot of the time. if that’s a problem for your family then the Vizsla might not be the right fit. will love you and your family with reckless abandon for all time. highly intelligent as others have mentioned. very trainable if you spend the time. amazing with kids but need to be reminded how strong and powerful they are.

 

Best dog of all

 

Definitely some good info in here!

 

If you plan on upland hunting with him you don't want to ever encourage them to chase deer under any circumstance, especially the pointing breeds. You'll spend your entire hunt cursing the dog for chasing deer instead of finding birds.

You'll also spend a lot if time driving around looking for him because you'll never catch up on foot to a dog running deer. They'll run five miles away after a deer before you can unload your gun.

Other than the deer patrols any gun dog from solid hunting bloodlines will accomplish everything you want. The German Shorthairs, German Wirehairs, Griffons, Pudlepointers and Labs will be the most cold tolerant for water retreiving and they are all good upland hunters.

The Lab is a good watchdog (the will bark at visitors, but usually aren't bitters) and I'm told that the German upland breeds are a bit more aggressive and suspicious with strangers so they are better guard dogs.

Hip and other health problems are highly unlikely to come from experienced hunting dog breeders. An unhealthy dog is no good in the field so they screen their breeding stock for everything common to the breed. They should be able to produce healthy hip certifications and genetic test results for hereditary diseases for all of their breeding dogs. Also get their Vet's phone number and get their opinion on how well the dogs are cared for. If you can, go watch the parents hunt or train as well. Both parents should hunt, not just the sire.

You'll have them for 10 maybe 14 years if you're lucky. Spend a little more on a healthy pup with proven hunters for parents and you'll never regret the extra $200-$400 you'll spend vs. an inexperienced backyard breeder with no clue about producing healthy and capable game finders.

My experience training upland dogs is that you'll triple your training effort if the dog is the right breed, but not from hunting parents. You'll multiply your training effort many times more if you have the wrong (non-"bird hunting") breed or a mix containing a non-"bird hunting" parents.

There are several good bird dog breeders in Eastern Oregon in Eastern Washigton. Check here: http://www.gundogsonline.com/hunting-dogs-for-sale/