Dog confused

[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.