Originally Posted by
anjelojon
If you want to look at the best all around sporting dogs, you've got to take into account more than just upland, waterfowl, and retrieving (which is really just part of the other two), tracking, hunting fur, and qualities as a house dog has also gotta be worked into it. For the sake of simplicity though, I'll just go by upland, waterfowl, tracking, and qualities as a house dog for the major breeds.
not bashing any breed but i would say SMALL LONG LEGGED AMERICAN LAB.
what gets me is BRAIN that a american hunting lab has.
they learn so quick.
conditioning a lab is no.1 do to their bone make-up and heavy coat.you have to do it if you want a hunting dog.
the other breeds they can go and go do to their bones etc.
lab was meant for RETRIEVEING .now we are using them in hills in pa for grouse, well at least i am but i am only 1 using lab.
almost all are setters/pointers.setters are best for grouse and gsp not far behind or equal.
most have 2 dogs for hunting, LAB for ducks and SETTER/GSP for upland birds.
if you get your lab in shape,he will do find on grouse but still does not have NOSE that pointing breeds do.they are born with that and hold their nose different than a lab,lab mostly uses ground , bird dogs hold their heads up and use air.
which will get more birds,i would say SETTERS/POINTERS .but my lab toby hunts CLOSE,SWIMS,RETRIEVES,CAN TAKE COLD,WIND,RAIN,BEAR,COYOTE,FOX,BOBCAT.labs look for you all time.thats great for me in deep woods of pa.other birddogs can hunt 100 yds out or more.they dont look for you, THEY HUNT.a lot of people love this, you will find more birds with dog like that.
no doubt about that.
me, i like small lab, I HATE BIG LAB WITH BLOCKY HEAD ENGLISH LOOK.
take care sproul