I'm thinking about getting one. I am only 20 and have wanted a hunting dog my whole life. Any stories? Tips? Advice? Is there a particular game animal they are better suited for? I'd like to go for rabbit, pheasant, and duck. Just looking for some help. Thanks.
I'm thinking about getting one. I am only 20 and have wanted a hunting dog my whole life. Any stories? Tips? Advice? Is there a particular game animal they are better suited for? I'd like to go for rabbit, pheasant, and duck. Just looking for some help. Thanks.
they are great dog but ole sproul would get SMALL LONG LEGGED AMERICAN LAB.males under 75 pds/females under 65 pds.
both dogs will have hard time on rabbits do to cover rabbits are in.
gsp is great for grouse/pheasants
lab is great for ducks/pheasants
setters are great for grouse/pheasants
springers are good for pheasants
brittanys for grouse/rabbits
beagle rabbits
they are great dog but ole sproul would get SMALL LONG LEGGED AMERICAN LAB.males under 75 pds/females under 65 pds.
both dogs will have hard time on rabbits do to cover rabbits are in.
gsp is great for grouse/pheasants
lab is great for ducks/pheasants
setters are great for grouse/pheasants
springers are good for pheasants
brittanys for grouse/rabbits
beagle rabbits
northcentral.clinton county,pa.check at LION COUNTRY SUPPLY NEAR STATE COLLEGE.one of the salesman named gary raises labs.i got toby there.
now for GSP check WARRIORS MARK.YOU CAN GOGGLE IT.it is located near GINTER,PA which is past state college are near port matilda.
they also have labs,setters.
price runs from 500 too 700.also warriors mark will let you see dogs in action.i hunt pheasants there too.
I have shorthairs and for what you want to do the shorthair will work great. Early season duck is no prob for my gsp's but in the late season they will freeze to death. My buddy's lab doesn't care for those 15 degree days on the river either and we can't use him when it's that brutally cold. Even though the shorthair can't be used for water retrieving during those cold days he will retrieve downed birds in the field all year round. Mine stays inside my blind with me and after we drop some birds I open the bottom of my blind and release him to retrieve. After he is done then he gets back inside and lays next to or in between my legs inside the blind. The shorthair is a hands down better pick for hot weather hunting like doves. If you want I will pm you the name of my breeder and you can research the bloodlines yourself. I have a deposit down on a litter 4 months ago and that female hasn't even been bred yet. The breeding I want a pup from isn't advertised yet but I'll tell you which dogs they are if interested. Also the breeder will provide you with access to train on his property if you buy one of his dogs. We run dogs every week on birds.
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I spent nearly every day of my life hunting... the rest have been wasted
Also the breeder I mentioned above gives a 5 YEAR Health Guarantee on all their pups. Let me know how many other breeders you find offering this.
great breeder but most will not return dog after they have it so to me health thing is not issue.nice you can train dog on his property.lynnhill offers a lifetime on health, he told me that when i was going to get orange belton lewellin setter.
yes, lab coat is great for icy water.but hurts in heat.thats where the GSP will hunt longer.
i like shorthair on GSP.less shedding in house.i dont like a GSP that hunts way out, i guess you can train one to hunt close. labs will hunt close without training to do so.
in big woods in laural i want a dog that hunts at 20 yds.
long ranging dogs WILL find more birds,i seen it. they cover a lot of territory.
3 dogs i like most are GSP,SETTERS,LAB.
for all around dog i like LAB but the GSP is good one too, very close but i like lab..........
GSPs are great all around dogs. Depending upon what you hunt, you'll want to tailor the trainning. For waterfowl, heavy emphasis on water marks, retrieve, etc. If you do more pheasants, steady on point, backing. For rabbits, bloodtracking, etc.
I would look at what you'll be hunting the most then choose the breed. Where I live, people do all three types of hunting. Labs for waterfowl and pheasants, GSPs mostly for upland but once in awhile for waterfowl. Beagles of rabbits and quite suprisingly for pheasants.
GSPs are great all around dogs. Depending upon what you hunt, you'll want to tailor the trainning. For waterfowl, heavy emphasis on water marks, retrieve, etc. If you do more pheasants, steady on point, backing. For rabbits, bloodtracking, etc.
I would look at what you'll be hunting the most then choose the breed. Where I live, people do all three types of hunting. Labs for waterfowl and pheasants, GSPs mostly for upland but once in awhile for waterfowl. Beagles of rabbits and quite suprisingly for pheasants.
MITE, you are right.its easy TO HAVE BEST DOG FOR WHAT YOU HUNT.but you have to buy 2 dogs in my opinion.most cannot afford 2 dogs.vet bills and food is getting unreal.then time it takes for 2 dogs.
so 1 dog is game now.there is no perfect dog for everything.
but LAB is close to being good one,so is GSP. others no, setter cant swim but is great dog for grouse.
I'm thinking about getting one. I am only 20 and have wanted a hunting dog my whole life. Any stories? Tips? Advice? Is there a particular game animal they are better suited for? I'd like to go for rabbit, pheasant, and duck. Just looking for some help. Thanks.
A GSP/DK is a great dog for all the types of hunting that you like. You have some great NAVHDA chapters in your area with breeders that all hunt the same species you do. Here is a list of chapters in PA with their websites:
Serving Northeastern Pennsylvania. Chapter training session at PA state Game Lands near White Haven PA (Hickory Run) and Williamsport, PA and Zeleny High Farms near Lawrenceville Pennsylvania."
I would try to get to a couple of their training days/tests and watch the dogs work. You would be able to talk to both owners and breeders to get their take.
Another good place to check out would be the North American Deutsche Kurzhaar Club (http://www.nadkc.org/)
Deutsche Kurzhaar translated means German Shorthair. It is essentially the same dog, but different registry and breeding system. Contact both parties and you will be able to figure out what makes most sense to you.
On another note, the GSP/DK is often used for blood tracking big game. I don't know if PA hunting regulations allow for it, but it's another thing you can do with your dog if it's allowed.
German Shorthair Pointer
