dog recommendation?

[Wacenturion]

Get a lab....can't beat them for what you want to do.  Spend the $ and get one from a reputable breeder from field trial and hunting stock.  By the way a Chessy is awesome when it comes to shear staying power, but they are not the best breed if you want to be the boss...slower learners and attitude with a capital A.
Once knew a particular chessy, he was a great dog.  Retrieved to hand in the blind, take bird, hunting buddy would look at bird, bird put in pile in blind............do not, I repeat, do not touch birds once they go into pile....until you quit and pick up, as they are the sole property of that Chessy.........lol.  

[carpsniperg2]

i breed akc labs don't have a litter right now strong hunting lines ofa's guarantees look me up if you would like one in the future

[yotehunter]

I have a lab/gsp mix great all around dog. great in the water and for upland game

[TEX-X]

get one of those chinese crested dogs... i heard they're good at being a versatile dog....     

[jmoyer2]

What the hell I am bored at work. This is what I have seen from my experience with my own dogs and buddies I have hunted with.
I currently have a golden and a Chocolate lab puppy.

All pointers: Are awesome for upland game. However the desire to retrieve is hit or miss (alot of them have to be force fetch trained), the cold temps associated with waterfowl are very hard on them, and they have a tough time sitting still in a blind.

Golden Retrievers: I love my golden, she is a great retriever, has lots of drive in the field and blind, and a great personality. However, as with the pointers, the cold gets to her, sometimes even with a vest on. Also her coat is a pain in the a$$. She has a shorter "field coat" and i still spend about 30 min after a hunt picking briars and stickers.

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers: This is one tough, hardworking SOB. My buddy has one that I have seen break through ice to retrieve a downed bird, and never got cold. Very high retrieving desire, and also great on upland game. I did not get one because of its personality. The ones I have witnessed can be overly protective of their owners and belongings. I like to take my dogs out in public for daily runs. Them being friendly with people and other dogs is a must. Also they are usually hell bent on doing it "their way". Very stubborn. I have also heard that their coats can have a funky odor.

Spaniels: I have no experience with this breed, maybe someone could help me out here? I would imagine the long hair would be an issue.

WELL Bred Labs: Labs are awesome. My 4 month old retrieves ducks already with no problem. This breed is very durable. Cold temps are rarely and issue. Their coat keeps them warm and resists briars, stickers, etc. they have enough patience to sit in a blind with you, and enough endurance to flush upland game. They have a low liability personality, but will still bark when something is a miss.

If you can't tell, I am partial to labs. The only other dog I would consider is a GSP, for their pointing, rather than flushing, ability.

[MagKarl]

The hybrid dog you need already exists, it's called Versatile category.  There are several breeds that hunt, point, retrieve, and track.  Go here: http://www.navhda.org
 

If you're not settled on a particular breed yet, I'd recommend you go watch a NAVHDA field test.  There you can see a bunch of different breeds in action and meet some owners and breeders in your area.

I'm partial to Weimaraners myself.

[Wa hunter]

Sorry to hear about Jack, think about all the good times you had I know you wouldn't trade them for anything.  I vote labs we get plenty of birds, have 3 females and a pile of 3 week old pups we are going to start advertising them this weekend.

[Gjorgy1]

Definately go lab.  I think they are the best family dog around and they love to hunt for anything.  Got a chocolate lab pup about 2 months ago and she is coming along great with pheasants. We had to put our 12 year old lab down in August (cancer and kidney failure) and the house didn't seem complete without a lab around. 

[Grizzly95]

My 2 tops aare Springer and Lab, we had springers growing up and they were awesome. Got my first lab a year or so ago, now I have 2. My female is fixed but my male is still hangin. Got my female at the pound just after we had to put my springer down, needed an energy burner for my son. Got the next one on craigslist because they were moving and couldn't keep him. They are very smart and great with the kids.

[robb92]

i have had both labs and english springer spaniels, I like them both, the lab is/was hyper until about 3 years old, the springer is a good all around dog, for tree rat hunting and any type bird hunting. The long hair really isn't an issue if you shave their hair short right before the season starts. My uncle has a buddy who hunts with cocker spaniels and he rolls their ears up and tapes them up to keep stuff out.

[TEX-X]

All pointers: Are awesome for upland game. However the desire to retrieve is hit or miss (alot of them have to be force fetch trained), the cold temps associated with waterfowl are very hard on them, and they have a tough time sitting still in a blind.



I've had a few GSPs...  and every one of my dogs is force fetched... i believe in it... it turns something they enjoy doing into a job... plus it can also cure hard mouths and chomping....  You say that most pointers have to be force fetched like it's a bad thing... i honestly think it is an integral part of training any bird dog... if it was such a bad thing i don't think that delmar smith... or even Rick nowadays would be doing it...  Pointers are bred to point birds.... be steady to wing and shot and retrieve on command...   they are Considered a versatile dog according to NAVHDA....   I have hunted ducks with shorthairs.... and if the dog has any shread of yard training he will sit still in the blind...  I think if i was to hunt in the arctic circle that it would affect my shorthair... but i have never had a problem in WA....  I've hunted behind a few GWP.....  they are technically considered a pointer  how would the cold weather be any harder on them than on a lab?  You said all pointers...  maybe you should revise your statement to some pointer.... not a personal attack on you  i just think that maybe you had overlooked GWPs....

[griff]

a griffon is the way to go. mine, almost two, will do the duck thing and point pheasants,quail,chucker and mice (on his spair time). no problem with the cold or cold water then comes home and puts up with a 5 year old boy and a *censored*syou (?). easy training and gets along with others. a well rounded breed. the only thing that would be better would be two.

[Sportfury]

a griffon is the way to go. mine, almost two, will do the duck thing and point pheasants,quail,chucker and mice (on his spair time). no problem with the cold or cold water then comes home and puts up with a 5 year old boy and a *censored*syou (?). easy training and gets along with others. a well rounded breed. the only thing that would be better would be two.

Lets see some pics!

[luvtohnt]

a griffon is the way to go. mine, almost two, will do the duck thing and point pheasants,quail,chucker and mice (on his spair time). no problem with the cold or cold water then comes home and puts up with a 5 year old boy and a *censored*syou (?). easy training and gets along with others. a well rounded breed. the only thing that would be better would be two.

My wife told me she will never allow one of those in her house because they are so ugly. I told her she better get used to seeing one because as soon as my labs are gone that is the next dog I am going to get.

Brandon

[washingtonmuley]

Get a lab.They are very versatile dogs.