Gun dogs

riflehunter77

Just wondering what your views on gun dogs are in relation to the below questions..

Bitch or Dog ?
Spaying,Neutering or leave alone .
Does it affect their hunting temperament ?

Ive always had bitches myself, never had any of them spayed just kept them locked up for a month or so when they came in to heat.Ive had pointers, labs over the years currently have a springer who is in heat at present. Got quite a few unwanted dogs sniffing about.

Banjax

I've had bitches the last while, well the last 2 dogs at least. They can be a bit more difficult to train, but that might be just me. I like them fine, good with the family and more biddable when they are older.

I've spayed one bitch, and decided not to do it again. It didn't suit her and she was never as active or eager afterwards.

F-ClassWillie

Banjax do you find spray really works or better to lock them up. I have
one bitch who is gone into season and gets aggressive until she gets
mated, Next season she will get neutered unless I hear otherwise, I too have unwanted strays sniffing around and don't want a mongeral cross
even if they make good pets.

cavan shooter

Bitches, I find are easier to train nicer temperment. You can put them on a canine pill nowadays albeit an injection, other wise wash the pound down with copious amount of jayes fluid. That should keep most unwanted dogs at bay.

foxshooter243

cavan shooter wrote: »

Bitches, I find are easier to train nicer temperment. You can put them on a canine pill nowadays albeit an injection, other wise wash the pound down with copious amount of jayes fluid. That should keep most unwanted dogs at bay.

+1 on that I found that after washing the run with jeyes fluid you should get several rags soaked in a jeyes fluid soloution and hang them around the run it creates a nose proof barrier against dogs.:D

yank_in_eire

I'm putting my vote in for bitches - much easier to train. The worst dog I ever tried to train was a male English Pointer - lovely looking dog but dumb as a box of hammers!!

F-ClassWillie

I put down pleanty of Jayes Fluid as recommended but one persistent
admirer wont take no for an answer even if he must have the snout burned with jayes. The gate to the pound was scratched to ribbons and
a broken tooth embedded left sticking out. What should I try next as I think this must be some sort of Pit Bull in love and you know what they are like when they get hot under the collar.
On the way back I spotted a silver grey Fox Terrier with a grin, hope he is
not the early bird who got the worm if you catch my drift!

foxshooter243

next dry day put a load of pepper on the ground beside the gate:D

cavan shooter

have you considered the use of rice or marrowfat peas (unsoaked of course)

F-ClassWillie

I dont want to choke or have him sneeze to death after all they can't help it. Just a love sick critters. How about scented decoy dummies in some place out of the way?

Banjax

F-class

I think spaying is an option that has it's place, just not for my dogs. Other bitches might be grand after it but the one dog I had spayed was not.

It's a pain to keep a bitch isolated for the few weeks that she's in heat, but it's a better option than the canine contraceptive pill in my opinion. From what I've heard from our vet and from what I've read, there are too many side effects to justify what is for the most part a matter of pure convenience.

itllbegrand

does neutering a springer male have any effect on their hunting ability? not sure what to do with mine