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Other Hunting => Bird Dogs => Topic started by: Jekemi on November 03, 2009, 06:21:15 AM


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Title: dog recommendation?
Post by: Jekemi on November 03, 2009, 06:21:15 AM
My old dog Jack is on his last legs. Hate to say it but he's 15 and developing some serious issues. I can't imagine life without Jack.

To sooth my sorrows, when the time comes, I'd like to get a dog that I can use for both upland birds and also to retrieve ducks. Is there such a compromise or hybrid dog breed? I've heard that some labs are cross trained in this way. Any comments or recomendations?

Also, can you recommend a good trainer for such a dog? You guys have probably been asked this before.
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: GoldTip on November 03, 2009, 06:23:29 AM
I have a chocolate lab that I simply trained both for upland and waterfowl, it was simply a matter of training him with pheasant and hun wings.  Basically he just loves to hunt birds, all birds any birds.  I don't think you could go wrong with a Lab for what you want to do.
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: C-Money on November 03, 2009, 06:30:50 AM
I have had great luck with Chesapeake Bay retrievers. They do not develop as fast as a Lab, but give them time to "grow up" and they are amazing dogs. My Chessy's will hunt upland birds or ducks. I think they may like hunting the upland birds better! :chuckle: I have little children and they love my kids.
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: Ireland Farms on November 03, 2009, 06:58:10 AM
Sorry to hear Jack is not doing well. That is one of the hardest things to go through.

I'd always reccommend a lab. Of course I raise them so I'm a little partial. You can check out my website and see the hunting lines that my adult dogs have.

Good luck in whatever dog you decide on.
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: EastWaViking on November 03, 2009, 07:00:32 AM
I'd get a Lab.   :twocents:
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: SnowDog on November 03, 2009, 08:24:05 AM
+1 on the lab recommendation!

Cheers!
SnowDog
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: Ridgerunner on November 03, 2009, 08:26:38 AM
Look at golden retrievers, especially from the "field" line. 
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: whitey on November 03, 2009, 08:34:15 AM
I also have had great luck with the Chessy's.I have had 8 of them over 20 years of breeding them.They are great and do a fine job on Upland birds.They do a great job on Waterfowl.

But I recently traded Up for My Cooke Canyon Pointing Lab and couldnt be happier.
Either way You go I think You getting Your next hunting partner in line now is a great choice.


Sorry to hear about Your Ol Partner,Jack..Its tough.Good Luck with that.
Whitey
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: tlbradford on November 03, 2009, 08:35:12 AM
Maybe you should read this before listening to all of the lab recommendations   :yike:

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,31240.0.html (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,31240.0.html)   :chuckle:

I always advise people to select a breed based on living conditions.  How much time you can spend with them, how much yard do you have, kids at home, inside or outside sleeping, etc.  A lab is a great dog for what you are looking for.  

I am not a fan of labs primarily because of the vast majority having a really stubborn streak.  I used a golden retriever for the past 14 years almost entirely for upland.  All I needed was a dog to obey the basic commands, and be able to follow hand signals.  I wanted a wide ranging pointer in my head, but my living situation at college dictated getting something I could keep in a small yard, and would pick up training quickly.  I know Wayne1 does a ton of field trials so you should shoot him a pm to make sure you get his input.
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: Jekemi on November 03, 2009, 11:51:51 AM
Thank you for all your recomendations. Lab or Chessy sounds good.

Jack is a Lab/Greyhound mix. He had great long range eyesight and stamina and he would chase birds on land. He loved the water and he wasn't gun shy. But he didn't have the retrieve thing down. He could run like the wind but unlike our Greyhound, he could go all day.
Now he can't hear, has a few tumors, moves real slow, and can't hold his pee. He is one of the best dogs I ever had.
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: addicted on November 03, 2009, 12:05:05 PM
+1 for lab but look up the family lines for hip displacia(spelling)

Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: Rowdy on November 03, 2009, 01:36:41 PM
These tend to get the job done, land and water.  ;)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2794/4067043072_24732d1411_b.jpg
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: Sportfury on November 03, 2009, 06:15:40 PM
Sorry to hear about Jack.

For reccomendations I would try a German Wirehair Pointer (I'm a little biased). They will do it all and make a great family dog at the same time. My girl Sofie loves the water. Her desire to retrieve is unbelievable. I can throw a dummy for an hour or more straight and she will not stop. Lake or no lake. On top of that she has a great nose and you can see her learn everytime she is out and gets into birds. Check out Lee Roots posts and there are some other posts on here about Wirehairs or DD's (Deutsch Drathaars). Main thing is to do your research as tbradford said and make sure you are getting the right dog for you. Make sure it fits your situation and hunting style.

Another place you might get more info on a variety of dogs is at http://www.uplandjournal.com. They have a bulleting board over there and you can get a lot of information on different dogs. Good luck.
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: TEX-X on November 05, 2009, 09:51:44 AM
i'd recommend a GWP.... or even a GSP depending on where you will be hunting...  i have a few GSPs....  my main pup orion does it all....  I bought him a neoprene  jacket....now the cold water doesn't phase him....  the only time i'd be looking into a Chessy would be if you did the mostly sea duck hunting....they are great dogs...  someone said it depends on living situation... the GSPs tend to have to be worked more or they get destructive....  but i can hunt over mine all day long..... I'll be exhausted and the dogs will want to keep going
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: luvtohnt on November 05, 2009, 10:10:03 AM
Being a lab lover I would recommend a lab. However after hunting with a GSP this last weekend I was amazed at the amount of land they can cover. My lab was able to keep the same stamina as the GSP all day,but with the pointer being just that she is trained to cover more ground and hold the bird until you get there. Whereas my lab will flush the bird and I have to be in range of the bird, so she has to stay close to me. I can see some definite advantages to a GSP, but labs have their advantages also. I know from experience watching my lab and now my buddies GSP that the pointers are far more destructive unless you exercise them daily. Another thing I would worry about is the thin hair on a GSP they may like water but you would put the dog under allot of stress with repeated retrieves in frigid water. This is where a lab would be handy as their coat is designed for cold water work. I don't know much about the GWP but maybe their hair would allow for more cold water action. Last thing is Labs are just so darn cute when they are puppies.

Brandon
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: Wacenturion on November 05, 2009, 12:41:00 PM
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.  

Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on November 05, 2009, 12:48:00 PM
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
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: yotehunter on November 07, 2009, 07:14:17 PM
I have a lab/gsp mix great all around dog. great in the water and for upland game
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: TEX-X on November 10, 2009, 08:43:51 AM
get one of those chinese crested dogs... i heard they're good at being a versatile dog....  :chuckle:  :chuckle:  :chuckle:
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: jmoyer2 on November 11, 2009, 01:26:52 PM
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.
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: MagKarl on November 11, 2009, 03:08:09 PM
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.
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: Wa hunter on November 12, 2009, 09:18:27 PM
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.
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: Gjorgy1 on November 17, 2009, 07:14:26 PM
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. 
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: Grizzly95 on November 17, 2009, 07:25:36 PM
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.
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: robb92 on November 18, 2009, 09:52:53 AM
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.
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: TEX-X on November 18, 2009, 10:17:58 AM
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....
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: griff on November 22, 2009, 06:26:39 PM
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. :chuckle:
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: Sportfury on November 22, 2009, 07:10:41 PM
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. :chuckle:

Lets see some pics!
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: luvtohnt on November 22, 2009, 07:14:12 PM
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. :chuckle:

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
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: washingtonmuley on November 22, 2009, 07:18:15 PM
Get a lab.They are very versatile dogs.
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: mad-bomber on November 24, 2009, 10:05:02 PM
there is no dog like a lab! just dont ever break their spirit!! use treats and rubs to train them. i knew nothing about traing dogs and i have three a yellow,black and chocolate the yellow is mother to the black and the black is the father of the chocolate and they are great in the field and in the blind.
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: 3dvapor on November 25, 2009, 06:57:38 PM
i would strongly suggest a gwp.  labs are probably the best for ducks or geese but if your going to hunt a considerable amount of upland especially chukar the labs arent built for that type of hunting especially consecutive days.  its like entering a 100yd sprinter into a 26 mile marathon.  your upland dogs are constantly running covering wide swaths of ground.  ive hunted over lots of dogs and currently own setters while my hunting buddy has labs which are also excellant just not as efficient in the desert , sage and rocks.  the breeders that are selective breeding their dogs only after extreme mandatory testing and scoring is the way to go in my opinion.  ive been really impressed with the gwp (dd's).  i would suggest you pay a visit to one of their kennels and witness the dogs in action im almost sold on one.  would love to have a blood trailer in archery camp just another plus :twocents: :twocents: :twocents: :twocents: :twocents:
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: huntress4203 on November 25, 2009, 07:59:40 PM
I have to jump on the lab bandwagon myself although I had goldens for years.  Their coat is a little harder to deal with.  We have a labxgolden right now that looks more like a lab and she's shaping up to be a good dog.  LOVES to retrieve and carry, is very birdy and doesn't blink when a gun goes off.  We don't hunt birds but may have to start.

                                          Glo
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: Clumber on November 26, 2009, 09:22:14 AM
Might also want to take a look at Tollers.  Smaller dog, cuter than a bug in a rug wearing a santa hat.  They are on our short list for future "oddball" (aka non-Clumber) in our pack.  I get the next oddball choice and that will either be a Dobe or a HoneyRun.  Jeni's next round will almost certainly be a Toller.  We have met a few at conformation shows, and from what we have read they are so versatile you can almost get them to drive the boat and use the duck calls for you.   :chuckle:  I am not a waterfowler, but then 5ish years ago I wasn't a Grouse hunter either, so could happen.  Currently duck hunting sounds boring and COLD, but I am often misinformed... LOL

National breed club's info page L http://www.nsdtrc-usa.org/toller_info.htm (http://www.nsdtrc-usa.org/toller_info.htm)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fnsdtrc-usa.org%2Fgallery_cpg%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2Fnormal_21_torifield-09.jpg&hash=c1d3a88e1f70af3eb7e4b0d03a4bfa0dfc55cffe) (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fnsdtrc-usa.org%2Fgallery_cpg%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2Fnormal_17_schoonerpheasant2-07.jpg&hash=566084cbfbea9a12251dec5e9b02db8730feda5c)
and they certainly can compete in the Cute Puppy category as well...
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fnsdtrc-usa.org%2Fgallery_cpg%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2Fnormal_05PC-18.jpg&hash=fba1a243c5d220e7847cc7c5300626ad8b742b4e)

And I do know of some Clumbers who do waterfowling, but I don't know enough about that to recommend either way.

Not in any way tossing a vote against a Lab, btw.  They are awesome too.  Just tossing out another option because the only thing more fun than researching breeds is opening your new pup's crate for the first time.

Give Jack a smooch on the noseball for us.  We'll keep him in our thoughts.

~tracy
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: griff on November 26, 2009, 07:42:44 PM
HEAR ARE A COUPAL PIX, I THINK. WILL TRY TO GRT THE BETTER ONES IF I CAN FIND THEM. THE BOY TOOK THES PIX WHITH HIS CAMERA SO THEY ARNT THE BEST. AND I JUST FIGURED OUT HOW TO POST THEM.
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: griff on November 26, 2009, 08:20:33 PM
OK I DID IT. SOME DECENT PIX. THE ONE ON MY PORCH WAS THE END OF LAST SEASON ONE DUCK AND ONE PHEASANT. ONE THE LAKE THIS SUMMER FLOTING ON THE TUBE WHITH THE WIFE,  TOOK MY BROTHER TO THE BIRD FARM, THAT DOESNT RILLY COUNT BUT YOU KNOW, AND ONE IN THE FEILD HUNTING GROUSE. LOOKING FOR THEAS MAKES A GUY REALIZE HOW FEW PIX HE HAS. HE WILL BE TWO AT THE END OF JANUARY. A WELL ROUNDED DOG .
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: mad-bomber on December 01, 2009, 09:16:13 PM
i will agree that the labs are not a desert marathon runners but...a lab can do everything and i have never seen a brittany or spainel or? do a 300yd retrieve on a wounded goose in the current, with a tangle of seaweed.......in 10 degree whether! ha i win.sorry us LAB lovers are a little proud of are friends! :dunno:
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on December 01, 2009, 09:29:26 PM
i will agree that the labs are not a desert marathon runners but...a lab can do everything and i have never seen a brittany or spainel or? do a 300yd retrieve on a wounded goose in the current, with a tangle of seaweed.......in 10 degree whether! ha i win.sorry us LAB lovers are a little proud of are friends! :dunno:

i am with you again mad-bomber, i breed akc labs and would not have another dog in the field than a lab can do everthing and more that them hyper springers  :P
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: mad-bomber on December 02, 2009, 06:01:26 PM
i like pointers too, pointers are great for running all day up and down breaks for chuckers but cant waterfoul? golden retrievers are great but you spend two days getting briar and huckleburrs out of their hair.  why not have a dog that can do great at everything?
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: Shannon on December 02, 2009, 07:47:58 PM
Who said pointers can't waterfowl? They haven't hunted over my dog. I will say that my pointer won't handle extreme cold like my labs though. Here in Western Washington we don't get extreme cold very often. The labs I have had couldn't hold a candle to my pointer during chukar/hun hunting. You don't see many 300 LB guys running 100 mile marathons. Labs and pointers both are great dogs but everyone has to decide for themselves what type of hunting they enjoy and do the most. When you answer that you pretty much answer which breed of dog you should get.
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: mad-bomber on December 02, 2009, 10:09:01 PM
Who said pointers can't waterfowl? They haven't hunted over my dog. I will say that my pointer won't handle extreme cold like my labs though. Here in Western Washington we don't get extreme cold very often. The labs I have had couldn't hold a candle to my pointer during chukar/hun hunting. You don't see many 300 LB guys running 100 mile marathons. Labs and pointers both are great dogs but everyone has to decide for themselves what type of hunting they enjoy and do the most. When you answer that you pretty much answer which breed of dog you should get.
or just buy a lab. i would love to see a pointer go after a winged goose in 2ft of weedy mud.no way the pointer could catch it in there and if he did that goose would sink the dog. or a pointer to sit quite for 10 hours in 20* snow with icicles on his hide and eyes.a lab can hunt steep desert chucker all day.might not being running as fast as a pointer half way through but the lab cab still do it.im not saying pointers are not good dogs.im just saying they cant do everything labs can do.
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: fishermanjoe on December 02, 2009, 10:12:05 PM
dont know if anyone has suggested it but have you thought about a pointing lab? :dunno:
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: Shannon on December 03, 2009, 07:27:12 AM
Show me a lab that can run like a grey hound and then slam on point with head high, leaning forward, tell straight up, and one leg lifted. Sometimes it takes your breath away. Never seen any lab that can do that even the pointing labs. I will still stand by my statement and say get the dog that suits you and your hunting. If you do mostly upland hunting you would be mistaken to buy a lab IMO. If you only do waterfowl I would think your mistaken to buy a pointer. Sure both dogs can do both and some can do them both well. It would be like recommending getting an F150 for every customer. Its not going to fit everyone's needs.
I have only had labs until my most recent dog and trust me she can out hunt any lab I have ever seen on upland birds. Especially after 5-6 days of all day wide open spaced hunting. I also enjoy the beautiful points.
To each there own.
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: TEX-X on December 03, 2009, 07:49:28 AM
 :yeah: 
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: mad-bomber on December 04, 2009, 10:14:46 PM
ok,bring your pointer down to my pheasant spot with my me and my lab.it is a river with 200yds of cattail and thick buckbrush on each side. if a pointer can even get in the brush to hunt i will be amazed. and do all these pointers retrieve? i would hate to go walking through that mess and jumping into the river to retrieve my birds.glad i have a lab.ok im done i like all dogs! pointers are "ok" too. :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: TEX-X on December 05, 2009, 02:40:57 AM
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
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: 509 on December 05, 2009, 09:22:14 AM
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.

Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: Shannon on December 06, 2009, 09:33:15 PM
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.
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: Rhinoron247 on December 07, 2009, 11:20:31 PM
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

Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: Jekemi on December 08, 2009, 12:42:32 PM
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.
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: js99 on December 08, 2009, 12:58:26 PM
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.
Title: Re: dog recommendation?
Post by: poulsbo on December 13, 2009, 09:12:43 AM
call Tiger Mountain in Eberg.
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