dog recommendation?

[TEX-X]

i'm not talking crap about labs... i've owned labs and think they are a great pups....

I gotta keep my shorthair out of the berry briars cause i'm running out of EMT gel to treat the cuts on him...  and to tell you the truth i hunt areas that are extemely close to the ocean... i was taking home birds... but was tired of my dog being wet as all hell.... he usually rides in the passenger seat... but now he is riding in the back

[509]

I just want to chime in.  I love Labs past the age of two. 

I have had five hunting dogs.  One Irish Setter/Lab.  Two labs.  Two German Longhair Pointers.

The labs were wonderful dogs, but the GLP's were much better hunters.  They would go into cattails and other prickly stuff far better than the labs.   They lived for hunting.  They were much better swimmers and waterfowl dogs than the labs.  And for the old farts....they point!!! So I don't have to run after them!!!  Also unlike a lab were you need a 2X4 to get their attention most GLP's respond to a stern voice.  I never touched my first GLP.  The second one wears a shock collar.  He is only nine months old.  I suspect by next year I will not need it.

Downsides to GLP's.  Need lots of exercise and hunting or they get neurotic.  Buy a set of heavy duty electric barber clippers to get rid of burrs and seeds.  You will need them.  The Germans use them for tracking and hunting deer, and other mammals.  One of my GLP's retrieved lap dogs.  The current puppy likes small dogs but points the cat.  The cat is deathly afraid of him and he is an old tom that has survived living 5 years in coyote habitat.

There is more variability between dogs than probably breeds.  The important thing is that they are your dog and that you hunt them as often as possible.

[Shannon]

One thing that hasn't even been mentioned is the health problems associated with labs. They are not a healthy breed by any means. I switched from labs because the last two I had broke down at an early age and I was tired of losing a hunting partner premature. Both of them had good pedigrees with parents with a clean bill of health. I also wanted a dog that was a little smaller.
The pointer I have is every bit as good a retriever as my labs. She is my first one so maybe I got lucky I don't know. The only thing I have lost with my pointer over my labs is the below freezing water retrieves and then sitting for an hour is hard on her. I will be honest and say that is her weakness for sure. Thick cattails and deep mud are no problem. She is not as big & strong as my labs but is more athletic. I will get another one for sure. Let us know what you end up getting.

[Rhinoron247]

Have to speak up for English Setters.  Nothing better for Upland and if you invest the time they will take on waterfowl.  They are machines in the field and then switch off when in the house.  They have one of the most gentle and caring dispositions and very easy to train.  They require a light hand and work best in the spirit of cooperation.   IE They will let you hunt with them.  (If you can keep up) LOL

[Jekemi]

TMI (too much information).
Thank you all for your advice. I don't think I can go wrong with either the Lab or the setter. The Lab's history of health issues concerns me but they are the best water dogs, tolerate the temp extremes, are strong swimmers, and can be easily trained.
The setter is a great all around dog and better in the field than the lab. They also have a better health history.
Since I will do more hunting of ducks and geese than upland hunting the lab may be the best way to go regardless of the other issues. I can only afford one dog.

[js99]

I have seen some great stuff on Small Munsterlanders.  While quite expensive they seem to be an amazing multipurpose hunter.  There are also Pointing Lab breeders on the eastside that are worth looking into.

[poulsbo]

call Tiger Mountain in Eberg.