I want to put a question out to everyone. My dad is considering getting a dog again after he lost his last one a few years ago. We were talking about getting a versatile breed like a springer spaniel to upland hunt and maybe retrieve ducks. However the dog will primarily be running loose on the farm during the day and in the house at night. My question is this...will letting a trained dog roam negatively affect how it hunts with you? Thanks for any input.

I would say it depends on how intensively you train it. My dog is outside all day every day in the yard or garage. Confined w/ a radio fence. Once you train a dog to hunt it should always be ready to go if you do it right.

A springer or Lab is a great choice for an all around hunting dog.

Since Springers and Labs are flushing dogs, I would think you would have few problems if you let them run a lot. A Pointing Dog is another matter as they may begin to like flushing birds again etc.

I had a spinger that lived to be 17 yrs old. Never seen a pen. As long as you work with the dog it shoud'nt have an effect.

That is all good news. Thanks guys. Sounds like the most important thing is to keep it trained to hunt close when you are out in the field.?