Dog confused

[oldhunter]

I am pretty new to this site. I thought I had narrowed down the type of dog I wanted. Looking for a good Phesant dog but one I can still hust ducks with. Most of the time it will be a famiily dog.  I thought I had found a real prize with a pointing Lab but now that I read and investigate I see I have many different choices. Since I will be doing more phesant hunting I may want to look at a Brittney or simular Spaniel. This site has so many people that seem to have a real passion for hunting and dogs I can see now this is not going to be a easy decision. Thank you for all your input and suggestions. I will do a lot more investigating. Looking for input.

[follow maggie]

For a dog that'll hunt pheasants and ducks, especially in January, and be good with the kids, I don't think you can beat a lab.  All around versatile dogs.

[SnowDog]

Can't beat a lab for Pheasant, Ducks, and most importantly a family pet. Don't get hung-up on "point labs". A regular lab working as a flusher is awesome on wild pheasant.

Cheers!
SD

[huntingfool7]

Currently have a field bred springer spaniel, my old girl was a chocolate lab.  I don't think you can go wrong with either breed. 
Both are/were house dogs and part of the family.  The springer got over the puppy phase much earlier than the lab.
Start working with 'em early, never ever play tug of war or allow the kids to play tug of war. 
If your looking for a pointer I would lean toward the Brittany spaniel.

[Shannon]

If your looking for a pointer that is a good duck dog I would lean towards a German Wirehair/Drathaar or a Pudelpointer myself. I am sure they exist but I have not seen a really good brittany in cold water.

[alwinearcher]

My Britt died last year, but She was a awesome dog.
She was a great pointer but also loved the water she would break ice to get a duck or goose. She couldnt take the cold though, so if you do a lot of late hunting in the cold the britt may not be a good choice.  Other then that they make a great all around dog.

[mossback91]

My britts would swim in the rivers and creeks during dec. and jan. while bird hunting!! They seemed to handle the cold fine

[alwinearcher]

My britts would swim in the rivers and creeks during dec. and jan. while bird hunting!! They seemed to handle the cold fine

Mine was the same as long as we were moving. If we were sitting in a blind though she couldnt take the cold.

[CP]

Another vote for a lab but you should also consider a Golden Retriever, no better family dog than a Golden and they can be good upland and ducks dogs if properly trained.

Take a look at Ruger’s videos:

http://www.windriverlabs.com/wind_river_websi_000005.htm

[bighorns2bushytails]

i vote lab, will do it all and theyre great family dogs when not hunting. 

--bh2bt

[Dadbear]

can't miss with a good Lab.

[daddy]

In my personal opinion it is all about the dog itself, the the level of training that you are willing to put in or pay for and not the breed.  Yes some breeds might have the predisposition to do certain things retrieve, point, etc.  but some of the best dogs I have ever seen are mixed breeds or kennel escape litters.  in my experience purebreds are more prone to have genetic disorders also.  with that being said I have a papered pointing lab.  No i'm not saying to avoid the standard hunting dogs.  just to keep an open mind and remember a mix breed that wants to please it's master will out hunt a disobedient purbred from day one.  My wifes uncle trained and hunted with a red nose pit.  it would out swim out run and out muscle  most labs that were in the blind with it.  and no it did not chew the birds.  yes it would get a little cold  in late winter but when the guns came out in the morning there was no way he was going to let you leave with out him.

[bobeyerite]

Another vote for a Brittany. They will dop all for you. I have had them for 45 years and I just got a new pup..........Bob

[ribka]

I love my Vizsla and have had GSP's that would retrieve ducks but would have to say a lab for all around dog.

Many good Brit and wire hairs too

[gasman]

I vote Lab. Got two myself 

[509]

I am pretty new to this site. I thought I had narrowed down the type of dog I wanted. Looking for a good Phesant dog but one I can still hust ducks with. Most of the time it will be a famiily dog.  I thought I had found a real prize with a pointing Lab but now that I read and investigate I see I have many different choices. Since I will be doing more phesant hunting I may want to look at a Brittney or simular Spaniel. This site has so many people that seem to have a real passion for hunting and dogs I can see now this is not going to be a easy decision. Thank you for all your input and suggestions. I will do a lot more investigating. Looking for input.

Google "German Longhair Pointers".  I have owned two.  They are great on pheasants and have webbed feet for ducks.  Great swimmers.

If you are an urban resident.....take a pass.  GLP require lots of exercise and hunting.  They live for hunting.  So take them out every day for a run.

Downsides.  Long hair and they are a one-person hunting dog.  They bond to you.  One person dogs.  Family is ok, but if your the hunter they are bonded with you. 

[Sportfury]

Look into German Wirehaired Pointers. Another great, versatile dog. My girl loves the water and has the ultimate nose. Out in the field she is on all the time. One hell of a hunting machine and will anything hunt anything with fur or feathers.

Like 509 said these German dogs need room to run, so make sure they have a place to get the juice out. I would take my girl mountain biking with me and she had no trouble keeping up with on a short six or seven mile ride and she probably did double that. The only way I would lose her was on fast downhills and usually not by much.

[Balladeer]

If you're going to be hunting western WA, get something w/ a lot of drive that doesn't mind blackberry brambles.