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Pick a hunting dog breed for me!

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#25 ·
German Short-haired Pointer.

Mine took very little training - super sweet, loves to cuddle at home. Does get rowdy from time to time because she has so much energy.
Can hunt all day and then some - excellent nose. She doesn't like to honor when hunting with another dog, shes a take charge kind of gal.
 
#26 ·
I am very partial to the springers. My first hand experience is with English springers and they would fit your criteria perfectly minus the pointing dog thing. Also think Boykins and cockers would be excellent options and for what you are looking for. The Boykin really intrigued me and had another ESS not fallen into my lap after my old dog passed I do think I would have ended up with a Boykin.
 
#27 ·
Skyflyer said:
I love a good GSP. The problem is I shot pheasants with a buddy who had the dumbest, far-ranging, most un-disciplined dogs and it made hunting a whole different Olympic sport! I'd love to see a well-trained one and see what they can do. Even a wire haired would do...so homely, but so sweet!
Click to expand...
The dog was not dumb the problem was that the dog was not trained properly and the dog was actually smarter than your buddy and took advantage of it. They are smart
and if you let them get away with it they will take full advantage of the situation.
 
#29 ·
Skyflyer said:
I love a good GSP. The problem is I shot pheasants with a buddy who had the dumbest, far-ranging, most un-disciplined dogs and it made hunting a whole different Olympic sport! I'd love to see a well-trained one and see what they can do. Even a wire haired would do...so homely, but so sweet!
Click to expand...
Hardly the dogs fault.
Blame the trainer or the handler.
MG
 
Discussion starter · #32 ·
big kahuna said:
Check out British/English labs. There is a difference between American Labs and Brits. I bought a pup from Tall Grass Kennels 4 years ago and couldn't be happier. They have a good website that explains the differences. Good luck Skyflyer.
George
Click to expand...
Oh my, I'm such a wimp! I posted preferring a male, less than 55 lbs. That would be a huge challenge in an English Lab, however after looking at the Tall Grass Kennels site, I remember just why I wanted a Lab so badly 20 years ago. I read every book I could find on raising, training, hunting and field trialing them that it was difficult when we had to turn down a dog on a litter of some hunter/friends due to work restraints back in the day. Now that I'm retired, those feelings for a lab are coming flooding back. We have friends with dogs (mostly loosely trained to come/sit/stay). They annoy the heck out of me because they weren't trained well and the very best trained dogs I've ever witnessed were Labs. Brits are the perfect size, but my goodness, the ones we looked at were bouncing off the walls with energy and required a lot of exercise. As a senior, some breeds, though great in the field, would just not be as suitable for my own reduction in ranging (walking/exercise!). When I think of a good dog in the house, I picture a black lab asleep in his bed by the fireplace, not a constantly running around ball of energy annoying every guest that enters our home. In other words, I want a dog that can "turn off the GO switch when it's time to."

I cannot think of a more pleasurable do to own than a well-trained obedient Lab. The thought of taking him to the club, in my truck on an errand, hunting or just sitting watching Tiger make the greatest come-back in sports brings joy to my heart. Of course any breed can do that...it's just that I've seen that trait mostly in labs.

The search continues....
 
Discussion starter · #33 ·
Smitty410 said:
My Griff is 54 lbs and the males run about the same. And they work close enough for anybody. Too close for others.
Click to expand...
Every Griff I've seen on a leash was well-behaved and lovable. Thanks for the suggestion. If they have a nose and hunting desire like the GWP I've seen, it is one to consider for sure!
 
Discussion starter · #35 ·
shotgun52 said:
The dog was not dumb the problem was that the dog was not trained properly and the dog was actually smarter than your buddy and took advantage of it. They are smart
and if you let them get away with it they will take full advantage of the situation.
Click to expand...
mg1polo said:
Hardly the dogs fault.
Blame the trainer or the handler.
MG
Click to expand...
BINGO!
 
Discussion starter · #37 ·
Thanks 1100 Rem Man, the waterfowl requirement is really a side to the main upland hunting. In our area, we usually shoot geese from large fields, not marshes, and the ponds and sloughs we have for ducks are usually just chilly waters, not icy (very rarely any ice-over)...so, for instance, a Chelsea would be over-kill for cold weather requirements.
 
#38 ·
Having hunted over many breeds of sporting dogs since the 50's--from pointers, setters, Brits, springers, golden retrievers, Chessies, my best all around dog was a smaller Lab--over the years she was as reliable, smart, and hard charging of the lot. From the bottoms of my native Southern Illinois to the freezing Snake River here in Idaho she was a performer from the get go. Great family dog as well.
 
Discussion starter · #39 ·
bigchuckar,
We went to select a lab pup and decided not to due to increasing travel on the job. It turned out there was an unknown gene for blindness in the pups, even though the parents were field trial champs and were hunted regularly. I would have been broken hearted if I had to put a Lab to sleep in it's prime due to health issues. I'd be broken hearted to put a lab to sleep at any age though. I love Labs. A black Lab is my favorite dog of them all. However, finding a good breeder who's lines are free of health issues, especially hip dysplasia and early onset arthritis is a challenge!
 
#40 ·
I have hunted over many different sporting dogs and have trained quite a few. My personal choice would be a Britt. and Lab which I had hunted .I also think Springers are nice if you prefer a flushjng dog, My Lab and Springer go every where with me and are very great companions. Dogs are great!
 
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