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.

[AspenBud]

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

I am of the opinion that in heavy cover situations the flusher (lab) is going to give you more shot opportunities. Mainly because you can let them root out the birds while you stand/walk in the birds' escape routes (open ground) and take a shot at them as they fly. That applies to grouse and pheasant. That's not to say that pointers can't do a credible job on both, they do. But given how we train pointers in this country to stand still until we the handlers flush the birds you are put in less favorable shooting positions. If we trained pointers as is done in Europe (they flush on command) this would be less of an issue. A lab (or any other flusher for that matter) is also not at a disadvantage among different species of bird. Pointers, all pointers, can be since their game is all about not pressuring a bird into flying. A pointing dog that mainly hunts pheasants will suffer when hunting spookier birds because they will have become used to birds that run and frankly those points will be much closer. A pointing dog that is used to hunting birds that require longer distance points, points that come at first scent, will be at a disadvantage with pheasants that like to run rather than stay still. A lab (or any other flushing dog) doesn't have that problem. Their mission is to find those birds and push them up. Standing still, space between them and the birds, that's all irrelevant with them.

The above said, in more open terrain a pointer is going to be an asset as they can cover more ground than the lab and do so faster.

If you think you might ever chase ducks or geese your options are really down to a lab, chessie, poodle, a spaniel, or one of the "ugly dogs."

Just something for you to chew on.   

[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

I am of the opinion that in heavy cover situations the flusher (lab) is going to give you more shot opportunities. Mainly because you can let them root out the birds while you stand/walk in the birds' escape routes (open ground) and take a shot at them as they fly. That applies to grouse and pheasant. That's not to say that pointers can't do a credible job on both, they do. But given how we train pointers in this country to stand still until we the handlers flush the birds you are put in less favorable shooting positions. If we trained pointers as is done in Europe (they flush on command) this would be less of an issue. A lab (or any other flusher for that matter) is also not at a disadvantage among different species of bird. Pointers, all pointers, can be since their game is all about not pressuring a bird into flying. A pointing dog that mainly hunts pheasants will suffer when hunting spookier birds because they will have become used to birds that run and frankly those points will be much closer. A pointing dog that is used to hunting birds that require longer distance points, points that come at first scent, will be at a disadvantage with pheasants that like to run rather than stay still. A lab (or any other flushing dog) doesn't have that problem. Their mission is to find those birds and push them up. Standing still, space between them and the birds, that's all irrelevant with them.

The above said, in more open terrain a pointer is going to be an asset as they can cover more ground than the lab and do so faster.

If you think you might ever chase ducks or geese your options are really down to a lab, chessie, poodle, a spaniel, or one of the "ugly dogs."

Just something for you to chew on.   

Nice write up...thanks

This is exactly my dilemma as I do hunt open areas but as you just described to root out some of those birds in trees or thick tall bamboo areas along the rivers and or ditches a pointer is going to look at you as to say..um you go in there 

[AspenBud]

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

I am of the opinion that in heavy cover situations the flusher (lab) is going to give you more shot opportunities. Mainly because you can let them root out the birds while you stand/walk in the birds' escape routes (open ground) and take a shot at them as they fly. That applies to grouse and pheasant. That's not to say that pointers can't do a credible job on both, they do. But given how we train pointers in this country to stand still until we the handlers flush the birds you are put in less favorable shooting positions. If we trained pointers as is done in Europe (they flush on command) this would be less of an issue. A lab (or any other flusher for that matter) is also not at a disadvantage among different species of bird. Pointers, all pointers, can be since their game is all about not pressuring a bird into flying. A pointing dog that mainly hunts pheasants will suffer when hunting spookier birds because they will have become used to birds that run and frankly those points will be much closer. A pointing dog that is used to hunting birds that require longer distance points, points that come at first scent, will be at a disadvantage with pheasants that like to run rather than stay still. A lab (or any other flushing dog) doesn't have that problem. Their mission is to find those birds and push them up. Standing still, space between them and the birds, that's all irrelevant with them.

The above said, in more open terrain a pointer is going to be an asset as they can cover more ground than the lab and do so faster.

If you think you might ever chase ducks or geese your options are really down to a lab, chessie, poodle, a spaniel, or one of the "ugly dogs."

Just something for you to chew on.   

Nice write up...thanks

This is exactly my dilemma as I do hunt open areas but as you just described to root out some of those birds in trees or thick tall bamboo areas along the rivers and or ditches a pointer is going to look at you as to say..um you go in there

Honestly, I've seen, and have owned, pointers that will gladly tear themselves up in thick nasty cover. The problem is the training. We teach them to just stand there once they establish a point.

[Ruger]

Agreed...

I have been spoiled I have a pointing lab now and in the fields he will point, in the thick stuff he will go in there just not as hard as a hard charging flushing lab...

[AspenBud]

Agreed...

I have been spoiled I have a pointing lab now and in the fields he will point, in the thick stuff he will go in there just not as hard as a hard charging flushing lab...

Like I said, training is the key. Training pointers to flush birds and drop after the flush is fairly common outside North America. Info on how to do it is probably out there somewhere.

For example...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNeeBDkPDPI#action=share

[Dhoey07]

Agreed...

I have been spoiled I have a pointing lab now and in the fields he will point, in the thick stuff he will go in there just not as hard as a hard charging flushing lab...

Like I said, training is the key. Training pointers to flush birds and drop after the flush is fairly common outside North America. Info on how to do it is probably out there somewhere.

For example...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNeeBDkPDPI#action=share

That's what I tought my lab to do, although he doesn't hold point for a long amount of time until he tires a bit.  After a couple hours of hunting, he will hold point until I tell him to flush. 

[addicted2hunting]

If all you wanna do is upland have you thought about just a pointer? A good Elhew line pointer would be a killer bet for a solid upland performer. not that a GSP wouldn't...

[wildweeds]

There are times when the things dogs point in the brush really aren't the game being pursued, porkies,skunks and yes even bobcats.My buddys shorthair about 4 years ago pointed outside of a brush patch in montana(he lives there) and he said the dog didn't look right on point, about the time he got within 10 feet the dog jumped in the brush and all heck broke loose, the dog came out of the brush with about 30 pounds of ticked off bobcat on his head,it was a good thing the dog had a shock collar on the cat bit clean through the plastic and pierced the batteries.He said the cat let go and headed one way at warp speed and the dog took off at full speed in the OTHER direction.He was cut/bit and scratched pretty darn good all around his head and neck area.

[addicted2hunting]

There are times when the things dogs point in the brush really aren't the game being pursued, porkies,skunks and yes even bobcats.My buddys shorthair about 4 years ago pointed outside of a brush patch in montana(he lives there) and he said the dog didn't look right on point, about the time he got within 10 feet the dog jumped in the brush and all heck broke loose, the dog came out of the brush with about 30 pounds of ticked off bobcat on his head,it was a good thing the dog had a shock collar on the cat bit clean through the plastic and pierced the batteries.He said the cat let go and headed one way at warp speed and the dog took off at full speed in the OTHER direction.He was cut/bit and scratched pretty darn good all around his head and neck area.

WOW! that would be insane!

[AspenBud]

If all you wanna do is upland have you thought about just a pointer? A good Elhew line pointer would be a killer bet for a solid upland performer. not that a GSP wouldn't...

I wouldn't limit myself to only line bred Elhews but I agree, the breed is hard to beat.

[constructeur]

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

Sorry I wasn't more clear, I meant to get out and see the actual prospective parents. Within this state there are a number of different breeding programs, with different GSP family lines that will very much affect the dogs temperament, size, range, color, etc.

 I've seen lots of what folks would call the classic shorthair, a couple that were more slow and thorough as you would normally associate with a Griffon, and a couple like my current dog that can best be described as a street walkin' cheeta with a handful of napalm.

You may want that dog. Maybe not. Best to know before hand though 

[addicted2hunting]

If all you wanna do is upland have you thought about just a pointer? A good Elhew line pointer would be a killer bet for a solid upland performer. not that a GSP wouldn't...

I wouldn't limit myself to only line bred Elhews but I agree, the breed is hard to beat.

Oh for sure, I just don't know as many other popular kennels...

[AspenBud]

If all you wanna do is upland have you thought about just a pointer? A good Elhew line pointer would be a killer bet for a solid upland performer. not that a GSP wouldn't...

I wouldn't limit myself to only line bred Elhews but I agree, the breed is hard to beat.

Oh for sure, I just don't know as many other popular kennels...

I'll be honest, I'm to the point now where I look at how many names I recognize, and how many of them had CH or HOF by their name, in the pedigree. If there are less recognized dogs I try to make sure I know something about them.

My newest Pointer is out of several trial lines (HiFive, Elhew, Miller, Rebel, Go Boy, Fiddler, Railway, Pepsi, etc) and to be frank he's one of the easiest dogs I've ever had to train. Or put another way he makes me look good given my work schedule and 3 year old and the limited time and resources I have to put into him.

I don't try to go for strictly All Age breeding however and instead like Shooting Dog stock. But if some AA dogs pop up in the pedigree I don't care. As time goes on I like what I see in dogs with more Miller in them anyhow.

[wildweeds]

After owning an Elhew linebred dog I'd never touch another. To much capitalism of Bob's work with not enough culling and scrutiny in the process. The one I had was a veterinarians dream. Monthly visits for multiple genetic flaws.

[Ruger]

Only looking at a Lab or GSP...

[3dvapor]

Definitely the gsp.  They will do much better on consecutive days of hunting and continuing to cover ground.   I have a drahthaar which I shave so she looks like a gsp except the beard.   Keeps hair down in the house during the Summer.

[AspenBud]

After owning an Elhew linebred dog I'd never touch another. To much capitalism of Bob's work with not enough culling and scrutiny in the process. The one I had was a veterinarians dream. Monthly visits for multiple genetic flaws.

If I was going to look at an "Elhew" I would go for something like this.

http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=6142

But I'm biased, I like Minard's dogs and I also have a friend who owns a pup from this litter and the dog is basically broke at 7 months in training setups.

[Ruger]

I only asked between GSP and a Lab for my situation...not interested in anything else, but thanks

[AspenBud]

I only asked between GSP and a Lab for my situation...not interested in anything else, but thanks

In all honesty I would look to a small (50-55 lbs) flushing lab then.

These guys kill A LOT of grouse and pheasants and ducks over their labs. Two of them (and their dogs) are featured in Gun Dog Magazine this month...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5q_yC0-fC4&feature=youtu.be