Good Waterfowl dog that won't kill my wife

[HugoBox]

My wife has a severe dog allergy but she still loves them and wants to get one. I primarily hunt ducks and don't stop when the weather turns cold so I need a dog that will do okay in very cold water. She's already keyed in on a couple breeds but I thought I'd check with you all.

[DUCKJ]

My wife is also allergic to dogs and we have 3 labs. One yellow lab mix, one yellow lab and one black lab.

The two yellow labs are upland bird hunters and the black lab hunts upland birds and ducks.

They all shed but no much.

Now she want a chocolate lab. (Her favorite)

Not sure if I want to train another one.

Duck

[SportFishin']

A Wirehair Pointing Griffon might be a good choice. Here is a pic of mine this waterfowl season. We hunted right up to the end of the season with-out any problems with cold water & weather. PLus thier a non-shedding dog with very little if any pet dander.

Good luck in your search!

Chris

[fishtrap3]

Nice lookin dog sportfishin'

[HugoBox]

sportfishin - Great looking dog! Is there a breeder near the twin cities? My wife needs to sit with one to make sure. Thanks for the info.

[SportFishin']

HugoBox,

I don't know of any breeders in the TC area. What part of the metro are you in? I'm in Eden Prairie. If you would like to, we could arrange somewhere to meet & see how she reacts to my dog? Let me know what you think & we can work something out maybe.

I purchased mine from a fellow FMer named "DoubleGriff" (Mark Drexler) he is in Duluth he has an old add with his HSOforum in the puppies for sale forum. Otherwise there is a breeder in Wi. with the kennel name "DeJac's" she puts out some quality pups also. Most Griff breeders have thier litters in the spring so most of them would be taking deposits soon for pups. There is also another breeder in Grand Rapids,MN but I don't know his kennel name off hand. I obedience train with a couple other Griff owners & will check with them next Tues 1-22 to see where theirs came from for you.

Talk to you later,

Chris

[Blaze]

Hugo - if you decide to move forward with a Griff, use the local references here and also check out versatiledogs HSOforum - there are a handful of Griff gurus there who can point you in the direction with Griffs. You want to make sure you know what you're getting - there can be quite a disparity from what I understand.

Good luck and keep us posted on what you decide.

Blaze

[HugoBox]

Hello all- thanks for all the info. Acutually...this is Hugobox's wife... SportFishin' - would love to meet your Griffon! We are in the White Bear Area, but would not mind making a ride out to EP. No hurry - since we aren't really thinking of getting a pup until a year or so. Just doing some major research - I do not want to make a big decission until I do some research (especialy since I am allergic). Don't want to get a pup and then find out I am allergic - that would be traggic.

[B@ssDoctor]

I just got my griff 1 week ago today (8weeks old). I am getting excited for her to grow up since all of the achievements accomplished in 1 week. All I can say about the griffon, is that they are 1 easy dog to train, love my 2 year old, seem extremely attached to their owners and meticulous hunting companions. (and they are goofy). I got mine from a breeder in Wyoming (the state).

[SportFishin']

Hello HugoBox & Mrs. Hugo Box,

I wouldn't suggest coming out to my house in EP because we also own a lab & one cat & if your allergies are bad that wouldn't be good with the cat around. But I do work in St. Anthony not far from WB Lk. so I could bring him to work & come up on a friday afternoon sometime when it is convienent for the two of you in the future.

Also once spring "April" rolls around & the water is open I will be training in Hugo at Kelly Farms a few times a week, right in your neck of the woods. That might be the better option to see him. Otherwise if you want to drive out to EP sooner. I work PT at the Gander in EP so we could meet there also & take him up to their Lodge meeting room to see how you react also. We have some options. Let me know what would work for you.

Talk to you later,

Chris

[Blaze]

Chris - you're a class act. Kudos to you for offering to go out of your way to help others like that.

We need more guys like you on this board!

[HugoBox]

SportFishin -

We actually live in Hugo. When you are in town for training at Kelly farms let us know. Your Griffon is a beautuful dog!

[JConrad]

I have a 10 month old Griffon (Belle) that I purchased from Bill Jensen in Millaca MN.... Bill has been breeding Griffons for many years.. Usually only one litter per year.. He is also very active in NAVDA... His dogs are terrific..

I am extremely happy with my Griff....she is incredibly smart, has been very easy to train and I would say the best dog that I have owned... I have had labs and springers in the past.. I am looking forward to the NAVDA tests with her this spring.

If I knew how to post a pic or two of her I would. My son and I probably shot 70+ pheasants over her this fall... Both in MN and SD.. Also, the dog absolutely loves the water..

The really good news is they shed very little!!!!

If you acquire a Griffon I don't think you will be sorry... Also a great family dog... they love kids..

Ya think I'm hooked on Griffons? You bettcha

[SportFishin']

HugoBox,

Will do my friend! Our MN NAVHDA chapter has a training day at Kelly Farms on April 19th. I'll PM you with the details as we get closer to the date & let you know when I'll be there. So you can mark your calendar for that date. Otherwise I'll be at Kelly farms come spring time usually once a week working the dogs, as I will be preparing "Rudy" for his second Utility Test this year & Kelly Farms has some great water for training the "Duck Search" & that portion of the UT test and Test Obedience issues really need some work for us to Prize this year.

Thanks for the kind words about Rudy, he has turned out to be a great looking & awesome specimen for the WPG Breed. He tips the scales at 70lbs. He is one of the larger males of the breed. The average male is not that big, but he is at the top of the standard. He received the best coat confirmation a Griff can have in NAVHDA which is a "Dense Medium Harsh" this was an improvement from his puppy coat. The Griffs usually get their full adult coat around the age of 2 years.

If you have any more questions on the breed just bump this thread.

Talk to you later Hugo,

Chris