Lab, Brittany, shorthair... what to do

[Green Horn]

I have a difficult decision to make. I don't know what kind of dog to get. I'm looking for a bird dog but I also want a dog to retrieve my ducks. The problem is that I can only get one dog. What should I do? I'm leaning toward a lab.

[JLS]

If you're going to do late season waterfowl hunting I'd stay away from the Brittanies and the Shorthairs.  What kind of bird hunting do you do?  If it's primarily pheasants, a lab is a good choice.  If you do much chukar hunting then a lab may not be the best choice.

Lots of individual factors to consider such as how you hunt, where you hunt, weather when you hunt, etc.  I had a lab that I hunted both upland and waterfowl with.  This time around I got a German Wirehair because I think he is more suited to the kind of upland hunting I do.

[Stilly bay]

If I lived in Ellensberg, and had a nice brittany or german shorthair, ducks would be the last thing on my mind.

[AspenBud]

What do you hunt most?

If you hunt upland most, or plan to, do you plan to hunt mostly forest grouse are you planning on hunting chukar, quail, and pheasant in wide open country?

If you want a do-it-all dog the lab is a good choice. Especially if they're mostly going to see time chasing grouse, chasing pheasant, or on the water. Lots of different lines of them bred for any manner of hunting and work. Just be picky and do your homework on the lines they come from as well as who is breeding them. But if you're going to be hunting open terrain a longer ranging pointing dog may be a better bet.

You might want to look into German Wirehairs as well.

I would suggest going to some hunt tests and field trials to get a better feel for what the breeds are about and can do.

[Sportfury]

What do you hunt most?

You might want to look into German Wirehairs as well.

I would suggest going to some hunt tests and field trials to get a better feel for what the breeds are about and can do.

 

I highly second the wirehair. I grew up with labs, have had a shorthair, and been around a bunch of other dogs and I like wirehairs the best.

[AspenBud]

I would not recommend a Brittany if you plan to duck hunt with the dog. Some people do, I wouldn't, especially once the mercury drops. Same with a shorthair.

[LndShrk]

A pointing lab is always a nice option as well.

Kinda depends on your hunting needs / wants.

[SnowDog]

If you are in Ellensburg, go talk to Doug at Cooke Canyon Hunt Club. He has great labs and pointers. I have a pointing lab from him that is a wonderful gun dog for both ducks and upland. Could not be happier with my decision. The only downside to a lab is they don't do as well for Chukar.

I know he has some great Lab pups that will be ready to come home just before Christmas.

Cheers!
SD

[NW-GSP]

I have a shorthair and he is a great hunting dog but he cannot handle the cold weather duck hunting.
My next dog will be a drathaar.

[Green Horn]

I'm in the market for just about any dog. What do ya'll think about retrievers? The only think I like about the retrievers is their hair and how long it gets...I plan to hunt ducks more than anything. I've actually never hunted  chuckar but it sounds dang fun!

[Green Horn]

I should specify, I'm not a huge fan of GOLDEN retrievers because of their hair

[Blackjaw]

I am a field bred cocker spaniel guy, but is sounds like you need a well bred lab.

[JLS]

If I was going to primarily hunt ducks, with some upland thrown in on occasion then I would get a lab.

[Fowlweather25]

Lab

[Green Horn]

Okay, thanks for the suggestions! I was kinda leaning toward a lab.