Most Versatile Hunting Dog

[DOUBLELUNG]

Several Wyoming friends in search of the do-it-all dog settled on German long-haired pointers.  They are amazing dogs.

[AspenBud]

with that being said, does a brittany have natural retrieving instincts?  I have heard they do and they don't.

yes and no - some state their dogs never needed force fetched while others do, the trials guys pretty well force fetch either way because FF does more than just make the dog retrieve.


Mine retrieved naturally especially for birds - but playing in the yard she would get bored getting a bumper after half a dozen times where a lab would go until they wore out.
So ya - if they know there is a bird out there they'll get it if you train for it but your training would have to be fun

or force fetch which is what most bird dog guys will tell you to do anyways
I wouldn't though unless you want to run trials.

For the record, not all trials require a retrieve in the pointing dog world. In fact, in some that is the last thing you want to have if you want to win.

It's one of those all over the map things. I know of a guy who successfully trials in the NSTRA who teaches his dogs to fetch, but does not make them steady to shot because it's not scored in that venue and he feels it hurts a dog's chances of finding the bird. I know another who taught his dog how to fetch birds (not FF) and he trials the dog in venues that do not require it, but the dog is steady to shot.

If you guys read between the lines, there is no right or wrong in this as long as you get the result you want. Heck, if you go over to Europe they train pointing dogs to flush and sit or lay down after the flush on command. Lots of options out there.

[AspenBud]

how would a brittany compare to the other dogs listed?

A breed that will point naturally, retrieve naturally, both land and water, track, etc.

Versatile breeds just means a pliable and trainable dog with some natural tendencies and if you want it to do all those things you need to train it to do those things.
Pretty tough to compare all versatile traits and come up with a "most versatile" dog as training comes so strongly into play.  You can lean towards one trait or the other and an somewhat narrow down a search though. 

Happy Gilmore had the correct answer 

 

I'll only add that there is some difference between the trial bred flavor of the versatile breeds and the non-trial bred.

Generally speaking...field trial dogs = pure bird dogs. You can still get a lot of utility out of those breedings, but if you intend to duck hunt, track wounded game, or hunt fur you may want to look at a breeding from someone running dogs in the NAVHDA or the VHDF.   

[KFhunter]

how would a brittany compare to the other dogs listed?

A breed that will point naturally, retrieve naturally, both land and water, track, etc.

Versatile breeds just means a pliable and trainable dog with some natural tendencies and if you want it to do all those things you need to train it to do those things.
Pretty tough to compare all versatile traits and come up with a "most versatile" dog as training comes so strongly into play.  You can lean towards one trait or the other and an somewhat narrow down a search though. 

Happy Gilmore had the correct answer 

 

I'll only add that there is some difference between the trial bred flavor of the versatile breeds and the non-trial bred.

Generally speaking...field trial dogs = pure bird dogs. You can still get a lot of utility out of those breedings, but if you intend to duck hunt, track wounded game, or hunt fur you may want to look at a breeding from someone running dogs in the NAVHDA or the VHDF.   

http://jgv-usa.org/

[jetjockey]

Brittany's are one of the original versatile breeds. Most have a natural retrieve that just needs to be brought out in them.  In AKC Brittany trials the dogs are not required to retrieve.  But that doesn't mean they won't.  My dad's Brit broke ice yesterday in E Wash to retrieve a dead rooster.   After that, she continued to hunt like crazy.  She's heavily field trial bred with a wonderful natural retrieve.  Now, I would be a little leery if she broke ice, and then came back to sit in a blind, because that's when dogs get cold.  But as long as their bloods pumping, or the can come back to a warm blind,  she would be fine.  With that said, GWP's are a better choice for ducks in the cold due to their coats, but I like a dog that will run, and every GWP/Draughthar that I've  ever hunted over in the uplands was like watching paint dry.

[KFhunter]

Brittany's are one of the original versatile breeds. Most have a natural retrieve that just needs to be brought out in them.  In AKC Brittany trials the dogs are not required to retrieve.  But that doesn't mean they won't.  My dad's Brit broke ice yesterday in E Wash to retrieve a dead rooster.   After that, she continued to hunt like crazy.  She's heavily field trial bred with a wonderful natural retrieve.  Now, I would be a little leery if she broke ice, and then came back to sit in a blind, because that's when dogs get cold.  But as long as their bloods pumping, or the can come back to a warm blind,  she would be fine.  With that said, GWP's are a better choice for ducks in the cold due to their coats, but I like a dog that will run, and every GWP/Draughthar that I've  ever hunted over in the uplands was like watching paint dry.

That's why I didn't recommend a breed for the OP

[Tman]

Somehing else to consider is how much time you have.

GWP for instance are great dogs both at home and in the field but do have a personality quark, not liking to be left alone.  They are very loyal and loving dogs, mine really wants to be next to me all the time. Other GWP owners have said the same thing about theirs needing company as well.

Mine is also really protective of my family and especially my little boy. Has not a care in the world introduced, but will not let a person or dog anywhere near without the introduction.

But then again, if you want a dog that will hunt hard, have decent house manners, be really loyal and protective of your family the GWP would be hard to beat.

[pens fan]

Hmmmm.....
Chesapeake....check
American Water Spaniel....check

Flusher.....check
Retriever....check
Waterfowl....check
Upland.....check
Even turkey....check

Has anyone mentioned a Boykin Spaniel, yet?

[Swannytheswan]

I have just started looking into them but has anyone mentioned Pudelpointer's yet
http://www.cedarwoodgundogs.com/gallery.asp

[Shannon]

Swanny,
I mentioned pudelpointers in previous pages. I have two Cedarwoods dogs. You can't go wrong with one of Bob's dogs.

[Tyler_C]

anyone heard of the Dutch Partridge Dog?

[Curly]

Has anyone mentioned a Boykin Spaniel, yet?

No, because he was asking about versitile pointing breeds.

[AspenBud]

Somehing else to consider is how much time you have.

GWP for instance are great dogs both at home and in the field but do have a personality quark, not liking to be left alone.  They are very loyal and loving dogs, mine really wants to be next to me all the time. Other GWP owners have said the same thing about theirs needing company as well.

Mine is also really protective of my family and especially my little boy. Has not a care in the world introduced, but will not let a person or dog anywhere near without the introduction.

But then again, if you want a dog that will hunt hard, have decent house manners, be really loyal and protective of your family the GWP would be hard to beat.

GWP's are great dogs. But it's important to remember where they come from. These dogs were originally created to not just track, retrieve birds, and point game. They were created to be able to kill a fox and take on something as big as a boar. They are back ally brawlers. If they have an attitude it's there for a reason.

[canyonduck]

Hey guys, in your opinion, what is the ultimate hunting dog breed?  A breed that will point naturally, retrieve naturally, both land and water, track, etc.

I have recently heard of the small munsterlander and i kind of like it.  Do you guys know of this breed?

What's your opinion of the ultimate versatile hunting dog?

Thanks!!!

Tyler_C,

I just saw this post.  I have 2 Small Munsterlanders (SMs).  Send me a PM and we can talk.  Remember that there is no such thing as the ultimate dog(s), except for mine.  In all seriousness, a well bred and half trained SM can make for a truely happy home and provide hunting memories for a lifetime.

Regards

[AspenBud]

anyone heard of the Dutch Partridge Dog?

Do yourself a favor and stay away from exotic breeds. You'll have a better chance of finding a good dog, for a good price, from the big five pointing breeds (Pointer, Setter, Brittany, GSP, GWP). Beyond those I would look at Vizslas, Griffons, Spinoni Italionos, Bracco Italionos, small and large Munsterlanders, Pudelpointers, and maybe German Longhaired Pointers. I would be leery outside of that group. 

Money should not be a concern for you when buying a pup, but for the money you will arguably have an easier time finding what you want from the above, particularly from the big five.