Dogs got away, need help picking a new breed

[hoghunter011583]

well, about a month ago my 2 pointers got out my yard by breaking the wire fence away from my house! You'd swear I had 2 pit bulls the way the fence looked when I came home. My wife gave them baths that morning and fogot to put the collors back on so no tags. I'm thinking someone picked them up and kept them, atleast that makes me feel better than thinking they ran till they got hit or starved!!

Anyway after working with them I realized that the english pointer is not the hunting breed for me. I want to hunt grouse in the mountains and pheasant in the marshes. So those pointers just worked WAY to far to hunt those birds.
I have looked around and am thinking of a spaniel. I don't know if I need a flushing dog or a pointing dog? I have hunted behind my dad's springer and it was a blast watching her. The only thing I didn't like was how nervous and smelly she was at home!!
So, I want to hunt mainly grouse up in the mountains like around Monte Cristo and places like that.
I know of a few pheasant spots in the phrag on some of the waterfowl management areas.
I might make a trip to west desert and go after a chukar but I'm not to concerned about them, mainly want grouse 1st, pheasant 2nd and chukars as an option just for something new.

Like I said the places I'm hunting are thick and I really want a close working dog, I know that means more boot work for me but I'm 27 and don't mind it. I don't have the ability to train a far working dog to listen perfect and always come. So I'd like a breed that is going to want to stay close in the first place.

I'm thinking either a brit or a springer, are there any other dogs that hunt in the same fashion? I was told to get a gordon setter but a lot of others said they can be hard headed and wilful. I really want to take my time and get the right breed this time. I'm not going to get one till the fall so I have plenty of time for looking around.

Lets hear it and I know I'm starting a fight by asking which is a better heavy cover dog!!

Maybe it is all for the better, I will end up with the dog that I can really hunt with and maybe someone who hunts the open desert found 2 awesome pointers that he can hunt with!! Like I said, I'll keep thinking that so I feel a little better about it!!!

Thanks guys!!

[redleg]

The Brittany stays close and is the best family pet you could find. the down side is, a strainger is just a friend he hasn't met yet, and mine run away a lot. but they always come home when it gets dark.

[Nor-tah]

My next dog will be a Brittany.

[Packfish]

I probably won't have a next dog but if I did I would have the same damn thing I have now- a PP.
I wish I knew about them when I came out of college I would never had anything else.
I have had labs the entire time and still have 1 now. But I can't think of a category that I would rate dogs on that PP isn't #1 is every one- that's based on dogs I have had and been around over my years.
He's a family dog bar none.
He has a nose that is as good as anything I have seen.
He can be a water dog.
He is a great pheasant/Grouse dog. ( Mid range hunter)
I'm extremely biased on him but he has given me every reason to be.

[Nor-tah]

Never seen one of those but heard about them. Goat any pics of your dog??

[Texscala]

Take a look at the French Britt they can be a lot of fun. The American will also do what you have described.

Might want to look into the WPG as well. They are close working, and find birds. The only problem is you have to look at them .

[BirdDogger]

Might want to look into the WPG as well. They are close working, and find birds. The only problem is you have to look at them .

That's it. I owe you one now .

Take this!

And this!

And one of these!

And the raspberry!

All the dogs mentioned will take care of your needs, hoghunter. Just make sure you have the fence repaired before you get the dog.

[hoghunter011583]

Yeah the brit is looking better and better. do they stink though. I know the springer my dad had smelled like a cow patty no matter what.

Also is a pointing dog better than a flushing dog for thick grouse land? I'm thinking if the dog points you don't have to stay as ready to shoot cause you'll have some warning. If it is a flusher I'm thinking you never know when that dog is going to jump a bird!!

[hoghunter011583]

The Brittany stays close and is the best family pet you could find. the down side is, a strainger is just a friend he hasn't met yet, and mine run away a lot. but they always come home when it gets dark.

Is your dog on a mission to get out of is it just because it is pretty easy for him to get lose? My dogs were on a mission to get out and go chase ducks at the park!! I couldn't believe they broke a whole in a welded wire fence!!
My yard will be super secure next time and if that dog starts trying to get out it will be time to electrify the bottom of the fence!! I'm not losing another good friend!!

[Texscala]

Might want to look into the WPG as well. They are close working, and find birds. The only problem is you have to look at them .

That's it. I owe you one now .

You know I love Scooby.

The way a dog smells has a lot to do with what it is being fed I don't think the breed will make a big difference in how the smell.