Best dog breed for the 'outdoors'? (For new dog owner too)

[Pampho85]

The crate training for 2-3 months is a good time frame to start with. Use the crate when you can't be home but make sure the pup is taken outside every couple hours. The time can be slowly increased that they stay in the crate. I don't think any pup/dog should be kept in the crate for a whole work day. Get a friend or family to stop by every day to take them out or hire a service who can do this.

As for when they can be allowed the run of the place, it all depends on the dogs. Some are never a problem. Others die of old age.

Since you have the breed narrowed down, start with breed specific organizations/associations. AKC is helpful but not always the best. http://www.gundogbreeders.com/ is a good resource for a gun dog breed. Puppyfinder is not a good place to shop. Hip and CERF is a must IMO.

Dew claws are debatable as well. Tight fitting dew claws are very very rarely ever a problem. I wouldn't worry about dew claws.

Thanks for the reply!

I watched a video, this and another I can't remember the title, and it was saying to keep the dog in the crate whenever you were at home for the first couple days and take them out accordingly. It also said to make sure you're always holding the pup or have it in your lap to make sure it has no 'freedom' for the couple weeks that it is being trained. I'll be most likely getting it at the start of the summer in a few years so I'll be able to train it then. And hopefully by the time I'm in grad school (2-3 months after training) it'll be properly potty trained.

Is it okay to get a 'gun breed dog' even though I won't be using it as such? I'll just be going on long hikes and walks with it?

And I'm hoping I can get the color I want as I've been eyeing two diff. colors haha

And thanks so much!