Trained Dog or Semi Auto?

Which would you pick?

A Benelli Vinci or a Started/Trained Lab?

I have the dinero for a Vinci and suddenly wonder if i can get a decent dog for the same price? Thoughts//Suggestions?

If you already have a shotgun that functions then def a dog. Started dogs will vary, depending on the level they are trained to. Will generally range from 1,000 on up and the 1,000 will get not get you much of a started dog, just the general priciples of retrieving.

Dog

Dog

Dog.

However, the price you'll pay for the dog isn't the only cost you'll incur. You'll need to invest more money and more importantly IMO, more time.

So, don't get a dog if you don't have the time for it...shotguns do better in storage than dogs do

Shotgun; Train the dog on your own; make him your own, not a trained robot.

Dog. I love my shotguns but not nearly as much as my retriever!

Dog but train your own have that bond with him/her that comes from training it yourself

2x

Gun,

Can the vinci fetch birds that fall places you would never be able to get to?

Gun

Dog

I would enjoy hunting with a pump and my dog more than with a semi-auto and no dog.

I trained my dogs on my own and they are "trained robots."

I say dog. However, prices/abilities will vary. Some straight out of the womb pups will cost you well over what a new shotgun will.

The pup is what makes the hunt and I won't hunt without Miss Dee

Dog... I have a Maxus and it won't fetch for me no matter how many times I whistle at it.

DOG!

A dog will give you many more hours of enjoyment, you can always find a deal on a gun

A dog!!! I definately would never hunt without my dog... He literally is my best hunting buddy.. Training your dog and watching him become an excellent retriever is what its all about..

What I was meaning is spend on the gun; get a dog with drive in his background; dont spend money on training; do it yourself; gain the experience with the dog; work together; build a bond; take the dog every time you can.

I had a Brittany that I trained at 19 hunting pheasants in SD and grouse in Mn at our farm; Rip would point; flush; fetch. When he fetched there was no sitting at my feet waiting to take the bird from him; would drop it at the feet of anyone hunting and go back to finding birds.

On the same token my buddy sent his lab off to training for two months; said it came home a totally different dog and said it wasn't his dog but more of a tool. The dog did great hunting but he sold it because it wasn't the same dog after training.

I lost Rip 9 years ago to a sow black bear and her two cubs hunting grouse. He mistaked the cubs for black labs. Calvin has the
drive and is learning very quick,
First lab and I am very impressed with his water retrieves
however there will not be another Rip.

Go with the dog. You'll get more pleasure from it than 10 Vincis. If you get a Started dog you can build repoirte and the trainer you buy it from will likely let you train with him if you are willing to work as a bird boy for his other dogs. You'll learn how to continue training that way. Been there, done that, got the ribbons to prove it ....

Good dogs can be had,great dogs are rare, and shotguns are a dime a dozen.

Go to the local lab rescue a find a dog you are looking for..you will be real surprised what some people don't want.

Put it this way, if you dont really need a dog then get a gun.

If you need a dog, then get a dog.

Pretty simple.

I'm going with dog.

You're at the end of the season, so why get a new shotgun now. Also, think of the bonding you can do between now and early Teal.

Plus, if you start putting some she-money aside starting this month, say about $120, you'll have more than enough for the Vinci by the opening of 2012-2013 season.

Dog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DOG

I would go for a dog. I wont go hunt without her. I had her trained by a reputable trainer and she still has tons of personality and just makes my hunts mire memorable.

+1

I put more emphasis on a god dog than a good gun. I still shoot a rusty beat up Remington 870, harvest over 100 ducks a season, but I wouldn't come home with all of them if I didn't have my dog.

BUT- as it has been said, if you don't have the time and facilities to own and bond with your dog, then your better off bonding with a shotgun.

A shotgun is just a tool, a trained sporting dog is much more. But as said in previous posts a dog is a commitment.

100% Dog

Yeah buddy!

But a nice gun is an investment uncan pass down to kids and grand kids.

gah lee

If you have a gun, get a dog, as far as training it yourself, Well my last lab i trained myself and by far the best lab ive ever had.... bond was like no other.... Now that i work offshore my time is limited so i vouched and had my dog trained... im very proud of her progress espicially for only 7 months old....so its all up to you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6IDM7-znJQ& heres a link of her progress... couldnt be more happier