Italian Spinone?

[Roeman]

Hi there.
Does anyone have any experience with these Hunt,Point,Retrievers.
I'm almost decided no this breed, but would like hear for anyone how has trained one of these beautiful dogs to the bow.
 
Thanks  
Roeman

[BFinegan]

I never thought I would answer to a thread about bird dogs on here.

I have about one year of traditional bowhunting experience and almost 30 years training and hunting with bird dogs. If they were a drug I would be dead.

It would be better to qualify your needs and how you hunt before talking about the dog.

What do want to do with it? Wild birds or pen raised. Tight cover or wide open. Experience traing dogs?. Give as much background as you can.

be back later.......gotta go shoot my bow and feed dogs.

[Shaun]

A fine bamboo fly rod and a clear stream, an old side by side shootgun over a solid pointing dog, a classic longbow with cedar arrows. These things go together like bread and butter. Maybe the top of the pyramid for outdoorsmen.

But I'm not sure the moderators will let this one float. Please e-mail or PM me (and Finegan) about these dogs. I have a friend who raises them and have judged them often in versatile hunting dog tests.

Gotta shoot a few arrows and feed the dogs myself.

[killinstuff]

Get a German Shorthair and your be a happy man

[fatman]

I'll second the German Shorthair....not sure what your available choices are in UK, in the US there are different bloodlines (field trial vs foot hunter)

Your chances of getting a good dog from a larger,established breed (GSP, GWP, Brittany) are greater than with a more esoteric breed.

[JBiorn]

A big, friendy, dopey, Labrador is the best all-around bird dog. Upland AND waterfowl---and always with a smile.

[Yellow Dog]

I agree with the Lab. I used to be a GSP guy when I was younger and had "legs". Went thru a few that were great dogs. Now that I'm a "old guy" you can't beat a good Lab, unbelievable personality and their desire to please is unmatched. A good one can do it all, water work, upland work and "buddy" work. The hardest part about a Lab is to keep from strangling them the first 1 1/2. The puppy phase lasts a little longer than most dogs but when they finally grow out of it, providing they havn't chewed up everything you own, they are great.