What kind of dog would prefer for a "non-pointing" type hunting dog? And why?

[lokidog]

We have a Golden Retriever, and would probably never own any other kind of dog, though I do love upland huning behind a good pointer.  Labs seem to be the most popular, but we wonder why that is.  So, if you have a retriever, or someday would like to get one, what is it and why did/would you pick it?

[Stilly bay]

everyone should own an English Springer Spaniel at least once during their hunting career. they can do any thing a labrador can except maybe bucking waves in big water situations. pheasants don't stand a chance against a springer.
great pheasant dogs, great duck dogs, and super family dogs.

second choice would be what I have now, a medium sized "upland" lab that can run all day in the field or sit for hours on end in a blind.

although someday I would really like a gorgeous field bred golden, very nice dogs!

[pens fan]

In one word.....BOYKIN.
Half the size of a lab...twice the heart

[lokidog]

In one word.....BOYKIN.
Half the size of a lab...twice the heart

Put it in Other, I couldn't figure out how to add more categories, as they would have been a seperate category.  A friend had a couple of nice ones.

[Mr56Jeep]

I had a Chessie as a kid.  Not the right dog for everyone... But I think I'm up for the challenge of another one... Some day...

[Dhoey07]

I think that there are about a dozen different breeds that i would like to own.  I voted lab because that's what i've owned.  I think i would have been happy with a brittney, springer, red/white setter, irish setter, boykin, gordon, vizsla, gwp, weim, or any other combination of upland/waterfowl/family dog. 

I know my lab can handle the cold, stay still in a blind, beat the brush, retieve anything i tell him too, and be a gentleman at home.  Oh yeah, and i didn't have to wait a year to hunt with him.  They'll hunt pretty much out of the box

[JJD]

The Labrador is the most popular dog in the country for a reason.

[Goldeneye]

  I'm in the lab camp too.  They are so versatile and can handle the weather and terrain extremes.  Hard to beat them.


  As far as another breed that's not what you see every day.  I used to know a guy that hunted standard poodles.  Those dogs were darn good hunters as well in most conditions. 

[bobcat]

I think labs are popular because they are mostly maintenance free. Golden Retrievers are great dogs but that hair requires more work. I know, because I had a Golden for almost 14 years. If I had to choose, I'd probably still get a Golden. They're just awesome dogs with the best personalities. But I'm a bit biased. Currently I have a Brittany, and personality wise she's actually very similar in many ways to the Golden Retriever I had. I would also love to have a Springer someday.

[benbo30]

The Labrador is the most popular dog in the country for a reason.

 

[Stilly bay]

The Labrador is the most popular dog in the country for a reason.

I just wish they would dry out a little faster

[singleshot12]

The Labrador is the most popular dog in the country for a reason.

I just wish they would dry out a little faster

Just gotta feed em salmon and eggs so their coat stays oily

[AspenBud]

English Pointers 4 Life. 

But if I was going to have a flusher it would be a field bred English Cocker.

I don't care for labs, I've seen a lot that like to fight and they can be a little too in your face. That said, I think most would be hard pressed to find a better utility breed. It may not always be pretty, but they can do it all and there is a line of lab for everyone.

[Curly]

I'll get another lab someday, but I will also consider getting either an English Cocker or Boykin too.  (I like the idea of a smaller dog than a lab.  I think the smaller dog would hold up better for chukar and do just as well as a lab on pheasant).

[Happy Gilmore]

The Labrador is the most popular dog in the country for a reason.

I just wish they would dry out a little faster

Just gotta feed em salmon and eggs so their coat stays oily

Pautzke's Red Balls o' Fire