Lab or GSP

[Ruger]

Ok all turning to forums and opinions...  Trying to decide if want another Lab or a GSP for next puppy

Was all but 100% sure I was going to get a GSP for my next dog, but have been reconsidering a little lately.  Love my labs and have a pointing lab now and nothing beats watching a dog lock up on point, BUT alot of hunting in Eastern WA for pheasants is in the thick stuff and just wondering if a good flusher would be better.  I only hunt for upland mostly pheasants with some quail and Huns as seen when out and about.  I usually go to a reserve for the border 2 months of the season and then during Nov, Dec hunt all wild birds.  Also, want to start making a trip to MT each year to hunt the areas there...

So my question is what do other like and why...not trying to turn this into a bash on each dog etc as I love both and they both do very very well.  So really just looking to see others experiences and if they would get a Lab instead of a GSP if they had or vice versa..

Thanks

[bobcat]

For the hunting you're describing I would want the GSP. They can simply cover a lot more ground than a Lab. You might also consider a German Wirehair since they do better in cold weather and if you'll be going to Montana it could be pretty cold.

[JLS]

Guess it depends on how you want to hunt.  I hunted over a lab for 10 years and went with a German Wirehair for my last pup.  I would never go back to a lab for upland.

That said, if you are always hunting heavy cattails, brush, etc, you might like a flushing dog better.  I hunt a wide variety of habitats and greatly prefer the versatile dog.  However, I like hunting a wide mix of cover and also do a fair bit of chukar hunting.  There really isn't a wrong answer, just dependent on what's most important to you and the shortcomings you're willing to live with.

[Birdguy]

I agree with what is posted. It really depends on you and your hunting preference. The labs as you know work closer and generally slower, though after reading your plans for the dog I would lean toward the GSP as in my experience they are an amazing pheasant dog that will certainly hunt other birds along the way. Talking later seasons and thicker cover the Wirehair, Griffon, and Drahthaarr would warrant a closer look. Good luck in your research and purchase.

[constructeur]

Depending on where you live and the amount of free time you have, you still have time to connect with a GSP breeder and get a hunt in, or at least see a dog work on some planted birds.

[GoBeavs85]

My vote is GSP or another versatile pointing breed! As you know I'm a little biased but they are just so much fun to hunt behind. I've hunted with some flushers this year and my GSP hasn't been out hunted. If you really like watching a dog lock up on point I think it would be a let down to switch to a flushing dog.


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[Torrent50]

I would vote for the GSP, but then I'm biased.  I don't believe you will have any issues with the type of cover or hunting in Montana with a GSP either.  They really are very versatile and mine has no issues with digging into the thick stuff. 

I know of a litter that will be along this spring if you are interested, shoot me a PM.  Same female my pup is out of but being bred to the first triple champion male.  Should be a great litter.

[Copperwood]

Being in the Lab business I would highly recommend a GSP for what you described. Good Luck and happy hunting!

[runamuk]

If all you want is a suggestion between the two options you put up, then a GSP.

If you are considering a good dog for the conditions and hunting you suggested, I would say gsp, gwp, brittany, griffon, and a few others could all be really great choices

[jetjockey]

For what your describing, GSP all the way.  While hunting over flushing dogs can be fun, especially when you have pockets of cover like sorghum and cattails, when you need the range for chuckar, quail, huns, etc, you want the range of a pointing dog.

[Ruger]

Depending on where you live and the amount of free time you have, you still have time to connect with a GSP breeder and get a hunt in, or at least see a dog work on some planted birds.

I have seen GSP work and they are so fun to watch and hunt with...

[C-Money]

Might want to look at a Pointer/bay pup. We did, and came close to bringing one home. Settled on a yellow lab. If you have fcaebook, here is a link...

https://www.facebook.com/WildThingsHuntingDogs

[bhawley76]

Both are great dogs, but hard to beat a lab.

[Dhoey07]

I haven't hunted behind a pointer yet, but I will say that my lab hasn't let me down yet.  That includes upland, waterfowl and grouse. 

3 years ago, I was split between a lab and a vizsla.  I ended up choosing a lab because that is what I grew up with, they hunt in all weather conditions, and they hunt right out of the box.

If you choose from good health and hunting lines, I don't think you will be dissapointed either way.

[ribka]

have owned both gsp's and labs

went to a wpg. Very little shedding, 45 lbs, smart does upland and waterfowl. No problem with the tick stuff and she does thick Cattails, briar thickets and does well on huns, quail chukar in open country. It took about three days of hard hunting for her to figure out running pheasants. She learned to circle way upwind of them and cut them off. Is she purty? Not in most people's eyes.