Thanks for the discussion guys/gals!! Sorry if my questions caused anyone to get there hackles up..... I have seen this debate first hand, both indoors and out in the field. Try taking a very expensive, poorly trained pointing lab to a registered Drahtharr breeders kennel/farm and hunting side by side with Drats that are champions, I just sat back and watched the fireworks...... Two of my best friends, one has Drats, one has a PL.

Again, it comes back to training. To bring the discussion back full circle, I have never had a pointing or actual upland/game dog. My experience has been limited to Beagles, and assisting people in training first hand.

I have bought and read numerous books on training gun dogs, and have been reading Gun Dog magazine for the past year. I have talked to people/breeders and have hunted over several breeds, coming to the conclusion of a GSP or GWP. The pointing lab looks very interesting, however, I think for the type of hunting I will be doing (probably 98% grouse, woodcock, 1% pheasant, and 1% waterfowl) a GWP will be my choice.

Now to pose another question, being this is my first pointing dog, am I going to be better off having the dog "started" at a professional kennel? In reading the "Woods and Waters" a local MI magazine, I see numerous breeders/kennels that offer dog starting for a reasonable fee.

Comments or Advice???


Erik

Rusty Axe Camp