Short breeds for duck

[wcasey755]

Hey everyone, the wife gave the go ahead to get a pup. However her requirement is that it has to be short enough to not jump on counters (last dog had a big counter surfing issue. Tried like hell to break it but that boy loved scraps). PNW weather. Good with kids, gets ducks. Nice is a plus haha. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[2ski]

Start early on the counter jumping. And don't feed any people food. Like if you pull food from the counter and toss it on the floor, they learn. Like none. My guess is you guys were feeding the last dog people scraps?

Small dog that retrieves ducks...boyken spaniel.

 

[TxLite]

Saw a guy once that had a rat terrier (or something similar) he’d bring out with him in his kayak and have it retrieve ducks. Not sure I’d call it a duck breed though

 

[eamyrick]

I have a 7 year old British Lab. There are several good spots in Tx/Ms to grab one. I can’t imagine a better duck/rooster/blue quail dog that is also wonderful with the family.

 

[KurtR]

I would get a lab and train it like already said never give people food and from a young age never let it touch a counter. If wanting a short dog a Boykin you’re going to have to come way east to get a good one. There is only a few people I would buy one from. I have seen them jump up into a 6 foot high dog box so you will still need to train it not to get I. The counter.

 

[wcasey755]

Slight misunderstanding, the last dog was not a duck dog. He was a rescue who already had the previous behavior. I think it just traumatized my wife haha. We do a good job of not giving people food to them. But I appreciate the feedback. Labs are definitely on my list and I’m going to look into the Boykin. Not sure about a rat terrier though. That may be a over correction haha

 

[KurtR]

Sounds like just get a lab since you will be able to teach him manners getting as a pup. I have seen some nice boykins but you have to be a pretty good trainer and understand how they work. How serious of a duck dog do you need. Like 4 or 5 weekends a year or 60 plus days picking up a lot of birds. I run with some guys from Washington could check around what available.

 

[cuttiebrownbow]

Just get a lab and don’t let it counter surf lol


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[Tod osier]

Hey everyone, the wife gave the go ahead to get a pup. However her requirement is that it has to be short enough to not jump on counters (last dog had a big counter surfing issue. Tried like hell to break it but that boy loved scraps). PNW weather. Good with kids, gets ducks. Nice is a plus haha. Anyone have any suggestions?

Any dog can get on a counter, they just need to be trained not to.

 

[WRO]

English cocker


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[wcasey755]

Sounds like just get a lab since you will be able to teach him manners getting as a pup. I have seen some nice boykins but you have to be a pretty good trainer and understand how they work. How serious of a duck dog do you need. Like 4 or 5 weekends a year or 60 plus days picking up a lot of birds. I run with some guys from Washington could check around what available.

as much as I'd love to hunt every weekend. Life happens haha I'd say I hunt every other weekend. probably 10-15 hunts a season. Where in Washington? I am close to the Vancouver area.

 

[KurtR]

as much as I'd love to hunt every weekend. Life happens haha I'd say I hunt every other weekend. probably 10-15 hunts a season. Where in Washington? I am close to the Vancouver area.

Stanwood area. There is a pretty good group out in the west coast there.

Here is a good litter. Would fit what you want good

HuntingLabPedigree

Online Labrador retriever pedigree database

www.huntinglabpedigree.com

 

[willtim]

None of my Chesapeakes have ever jumped on the counter.

 

[KenLee]

A friend gave me a $2500 Boykin at 14 months a few weeks ago. He inventories counters and begs food in your face as bad as any I've ever seen. Bunch of reprogramming to do here.

 

[JGood]

Had good luck with spaniels in a variety of situations.

The best spaniel will never out retrieve the best labs….but this one seems to out do a lot of labs. 35 lbs dog. No problem with her hopping up on counters.

 

[Bigred323]

Sounds like a Boykin is what you need

 

[Loco4dux]

My vote is strongly for a lab if ducks is your priority. Hunted ducks with numerous breeds and while many will get the job done, none will do it to the level of a labrador (I own a wirehair too). Wouldn't limit yourself based of the counter issue just make sure to start training immediately.

 

[Wallace]

My vote is strongly for a lab if ducks is your priority. Hunted ducks with numerous breeds and while many will get the job done, none will do it to the level of a labrador (I own a wirehair too). Wouldn't limit yourself based of the counter issue just make sure to start training immediately.

This is my stance. If it's duck only/majority, get a smaller framed lab. The off breeds can pick up ducks, but they start to break down when you're hunting cold weather and they have to make more than 5 - 10 retrieves (my experience).

I've hunted with boykins that friends own throughout the years. One is literally one of the best boykins to ever live as far as field trials / ribbons / accomplishments ... I'd rather hunt with an average lab over that dog.

 

[JGood]

To be clear. OP should 100% go with a lab. The counter-top thing can be easily trained out….a cocker spaniel could easily jump on my counter top….

HOWEVER, if your wife ACTUALLY just wants a small dog… get a spaniel and NOT one of those “small frame” labs… sometimes people call the “canoe labs” or “pocket labs”

If someone is intentionally breeding outside the breed standard, that’s a huge red flag.

Just go find someone who has labs that trend towards the low end of the breed standard. 65lbs male to a 50lbs female.

 

[CMP70306]

My vote goes to a field bred golden retriever, my female Cedar is 22.5” at the shoulder and around 55 pounds. I raised her from a puppy and while she loves food and has a voracious appetite I have never once had her try to steal something off the counter. Take the time to train her right and you won’t have to worry about it.

When it comes to birds she is all in and while I’ve only had her on chukars so far if that’s any indication she should have no issues with ducks. Just look at how excited she gets for deer feet.