Smallest Bird Dogs?

[LokoLobo]

I live in the city so I don't want to get a big dog, that and my wife is not fond of them.. I like to hunt grouse and pheasant and I was wondering what smaller type of dogs are there out there that would make a good bird dog if there are any? ???

[Outdoors Junkie]

Welcome to MNO LokoLobo!  Glad to have you aboard. 

We have a couple of different Pro Staff that have had a lot of experience with dogs.  Check back soon, they will have some advice for you.

Plus we have a huge amount of members that are dog owners.

See you around the site! 

[Mayfly]

I'm not sure about grouse hunting but you should look into maybe getting a springer. They are great little house dogs and good for the family. They can also be great hunters!! Very well rounded dog and if you pick them right they are usually pretty small.

[jigglestick]

Loko Lobo, WELCOME!!

we have a member who is an avid hunter and in my opinion, he is as knowledgeable as anybody I know on dogs, especialy the sporting breeds.
he has been big on labs but lately he has just purchased a field bred cocker spaniel.
he has done his research and you would do well to pick his brain on the subject.
I can understand about wanting a smaller dog.
we recently down sized ourselves and went from a male chesapeake to a english setter female.
Oh lordy the difference is absolutley splendid.!
she will not (that I know of) fetch my ducks, but we have a nice litle female lab for that now too.
he will probably be on later and we can rattle his cage for you.

thanks for checking us out. I hope you enjoy your stay.

[vickieschessies]

LokoLobo
Welcome
I have been hunting and raising dogs for 23yrs. First you say you are looking for a smaller breed. A springer is a good choice for upland bird dog. If you can handle a little more energy a German Shorthair Pointer is outstanding my females range from 55-65 pounds and there is some smaller labs out there. I have a female that weighs 65 pounds.  I personally have never hunted behind a cocker  If you go this route find a breeder who hunts them and make sure you find out dispositions as they can be  an aggressive little dog.
Also
Don't count out the Mustlander, Nova Scotia Duck Toling Retriever ,Sussex Spaniel or the pudlepointer. I have heard good thing about some of these breeds. Do some research.
If you have some specific questions please feel free to ask

[labs4me]

Hey Loko... I guess I'm the one guilty of buying a Field bred Cocker pup.  3 years of research and putting my name in the hat for one of the few pups that are bred each year, and now I finally got him home. Most people have no idea there are still some of them around. 

There are definitley under 10 breeders left in the U.S.  I got mine form a gentleman in Pennsylavania 2 weeks ago.  Flew out there to see his dogs in action... I was impressed to say the least.  His accomplishments with these little dogs is unreal.   He contilually places in the top 3 in 'open' hunting competitions beating out any other breed that enters.  Guys literally get mad when they see him pull up with his dogs.  My dogs grand sire is the 1st Cocker since 1963 to achieve a Field Champion title.  They are making a come back albeit slowly.  His females are are currently running hunt tests and have Senior hunter titles.  The are fantastic grouse and pheasant dogs and O.K. for occassional duck hunting. 

There is still the hurdle of what most people think of when the hear 'Cocker Spaniel'... but I assure you these aren't the little old lady down the street's, nippy, barking piss hound.   Disposition is not and never will be a problem... these aren't the over line bred/in bred dust mops that are plaguing the earth.  They are very similar in disposition and tractibility to a lab.  That is one reason I chose to get into them.  I have owned, bred and trialed labs for 20 years and I felt this was the 'closest' I could get to a lab for performance and fulfill my wife's desire for a house dog.  They are intense hunters with a huge heart and they love thier masters.  The perfect word to describe them is 'Merry'.  They top out around 30 pounds and are 2/3rds the size of a Springer... A little history lesson,  Cockers and Springers are/were the same dog.  They all came from the same litters!  a Cocker was a smaller dog that was then used to hunt Woodcock (hence the name Cocker) and a Springer was the ones used int he field for pheasant and Red grouse, they used them to 'spring' the game into the air for net or falcons  and later guns.  Back then, a dog may have been a Cocker at one year of age and a Springer at two... eventually the 2 breeds were bred back to each other to actually form 2 distinct breeds over time.

If you are interested in getting your name in on a future litter let me know.  I can get you in contact with this guy.  He will  only sell to hunting homes.  Too bad you didn't post this 2 weeks ago.. they had a male left as the new owner lost his job the week it was to go home.  I know he has a waiting list, but I could've put a good word in for you. 

Good Luck!

Ken

[LokoLobo]

Thanks for the welcome!

And thank you Ken and every one with my question.
I never knew a Cocker Spaniel was a hunting dog. I had a mutt as a kid that was part Cocker Spaniel and really liked him.  I think my wife would be OK with one of them as well. There kind of cute.  Do you know of any breeders here in Minnesota? or nearby?

And Ken do you mind if I asked you how much they normally go for as pups?

I really appreciate your help and the info you gave me. Thank you again..

[labs4me]

There are no breeders of field bred American Cockers in Minnesota.  There is a gal with some in Wi, though I don't know how often she has litters available. 

There are quality breeders of field bred English Cockers here in Minnesota and a North Dakota kennel also has a great line of English dogs...  It is far easier to get into an English Cocker as the breed hasn't been as bastardized as the American's were.  They also still have the 'original' stock available for import back in Scotland, so whenever a kennel needs some 'new blood' they can go back to the origins of the breed.  You won't go wrong picking this breed, they are kissing cousins to the Americans and the foundation of the American Cocker.  The price on these varies with the litter, but most will probably fall into the $400-800 range.

I was determined to get an American Cocker and they are harder to come by... they are available, just have to put more effort in to your search.  Most of the few remaining breeders of Americans are in the Eastern U.S., + the one in WI and another one in California.  Again if you are interested, I can get you in touch with some breeders to save you some legwork... I got a deal on my pup... only $500 (plus a plane flight).  Many of the breeders are getting $1000-1500 (which was getting out of my league),  The demand for these is high and with that comes a higher price tag.

PM me and I will send you some copies of articles written about the gentleman who I bought my dog from and the history of the breed. 

Good Luck!

Ken

[gspman]

For pointing dogs you should consider an American Brittany or a French Brittany.  The little Britts are pint sized pointers (generally under 40 pounds) that would work good on pheasant and grouse.  There are plenty of good Britt breeders in MN too.  Plus I don't know how the missus couldn't fall in love with the Britt's personality.  They are just little lovers.

You can also find smaller GSP's (under 50 pounds).  My current GSP weighs 39 pounds in hunting condition.  But be aware that many of the smaller sized shorthairs are from trial stock and will have a lot of energy and may not be suitable for a small house or a small yard.  If you could find a laid back small shorthair you'd have a very nice dog.  Great with kids and good hunters.

[jebadia]

Ok. Someone finally said the magic word. French Brittany. I purchased one a little over a year ago. This is my second one. I did a lot of research before buying this one. There are breeders all over the US for these guys and I am kind of partial to those out of the south. I went to a Brittany event to find mine which was held in South Dakota. I met some of the top breeders in the us there. They are great little dogs and also a versatile dog. A They can actually go from field to show. I was lucky enough to watch my dog get his tan(test of natural ability) certificate. The French Brittany is a closer working dog than the American Brittany and would probably not lead you on so many foot races. They have a great nose and are all day hunters. Great with kids. And very loyal. Mine weighs about 35 lbs. My first was a big one who got close to 50 lbs but that was all muscle. If your looking for a breeder of these let me know I'll have to go back into the files to find all the information but there are alot of good ones out there who are actually getting back to breeding the true French Brittany's purchasing sires and dams from france. Do a search on the French Brittany Gun Dog association. Good luck in the dog search.

Jeb

[guythathunts]

Price, compainionship, looks, brains, disposition, friend.... Springer. It is an easy choice.

[labs4me]

Chaser @ 4 months...this is his second bird ever... he naturally delivers to hand... not bad for a 4 month old dog that is still only about 18 pounds...

click on link:
http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c248/labs4me/?action=view&current=Chaserpheasant.flv


Training of this breed is not the same as training the Labs or other sporting breeds of today... command /comply... command / comply... repeat.  These little guys almost know what to do coming out of the gate and do so over and over when praised and quickly learn what it is you don't want them to do when corrected.  Corrections are minimal and easy...  I can honestly tell you that he is one of the calmest dogs I've ever had... and he is still a puppy.

He is beginning to learn to quarter in cover and use his nose to find game (dead training birds to date) and marks very well even in cover way over his head.  He stays in an area and hunts it thoroughly until he comes up with the bird.  Most times a direct line is taken and he immediatley picks up the bird without any hunt involved.  He for the most part always delivers to hand. 

I was told by the breeders that he will be one of the easiest dogs to train that I have ever worked with... he's beginning to make me a beleiver!

If anyone is looking for a good house dog that will double as a hunting comapnion. Do not over look this breed.  Puppies are hard to come by as there less than 10 breeders left in the country, but with research and diligence, you will be able to find one.    As with all breedings, double check that their dog's lines have been screened for inherited disorders and that they are truely bred from hunting lines.  I e-mailed the breeder an update the other day and told him if he has a black pup in the next few years to put my name on it.  I think I'm sold on this breed.  I'll always have a Lab(s?) around and continue to use them and train them, but I'm being quickly swayed to 'befriend' another breed! 

Below are some pics of 'Chaser' at 4 months of age.  He has not recieved his 1st "field cut" yet, as i was waiting for a break in the cold weather (which he loves... along with the snow and the big dogs!  ) right now he is quite the ragamuffin!

Good Luck!

Ken




"Chaser" at 4 months


 

Chaser retrieving his 1st bird