GSP or Lab
 

I have been waiting on the breeding for a German Shorthair for a long time now. Unfortunely I found out that the breeding didn't work so I am starting my search over again. Since I am starting completely over, I thought I would revisit the question, Which dog to choose? My main love of hunting is deer hunting. But for fun I like small game hunting and recently have been introduced to duck hunting. So when I pick a new family member I have listed out the following requirements: Must do well with small children ( 2 years old and a month old), Must live with 2 cats, Be able to hunt, rabbits, squirrel, grouse, duck or whatever else I feel like hunting that day. Must be able to blood trail a wounded deer. I have my selection down to a GSP and a Lab.

I live in a city with a small backyard, but am committed to taking the dog for a walk every day. I am also committed to putting whatever time in it will take to train the new pup.

Any suggestion / comments that might help?

RE: GSP or Lab
 

My opinion get a lab. They are great family dogs and they are very versatile. You would have to spend a lot of time to get them to hunt rabbit and squirrels but I trained one to retrieve cottontails and they can take the ice and cold water associated with waterfowling up here in the colder climes. There are good dogs in any breed and fanatical followers of the various breeds but a lab would be my recommendation.

RE: GSP or Lab
 

I'm a Lab man myself, but in looking at your list of what you hunt, and considering where you live, I think I'd go with a German Wirehair. They will eagerly hunt all the animals that you have listed and can take cold water much better than a GSP.

RE: GSP or Lab
 

Guess I'm a GSP man and have one that has foot the bill on what you are looking for but the other two breeds are great also.

curt nulle

RE: GSP or Lab
 

Hello.
I have owned both and in your situation, I would have to rec. a Lab.
GSP's are great with kids and all around hunters. The breed is perhaps a little &quot;wired&quot; for city life. I have a big yard and access to woods nearby. That dog has to run every day<u></u> maybe the lab would be a little more laid back? or maybe my dog is just a spaz.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: GSP or Lab
 

I also have a GSP and love hunting with him. I am in a considerably warmer climate though. A lab would probably fit your requirements better. A GSP can be an excellent water retriever but they stay warm by moving. A wet GSP trying to sit still in a duck blind gets too cold very quickly. Also they are not suited by temperament to stay still for long periods and can be very annoying to have in a blind. They know there's birds out there and they want to go find them NOW! I think hunting with a pointing dog is a lot of fun over and above just getting birds but it takes a lot of training to get the most out of a pointing dog. If you are still primarily a deer hunter you may not want to invest that much time. There is also the extreme danger of getting hooked on pointing dogs which I guarantee will cut into your deer hunting. LOL Craig, on this forum has a GSP and lives in your area. I don't believe he does much duck hunting though.

As stated above a wirehair may be a reasonable compromise and can be excellent pointers. They will not usually do as well as labs in the duck blind.

RE: GSP or Lab
 

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Also they are not suited by temperament to stay still for long periods and can be very annoying to have in a blind. They know there's birds out there and they want to go find them NOW! I think hunting with a pointing dog is a lot of fun over and above just getting birds but it takes a lot of training to get the most out of a pointing dog. If you are still primarily a deer hunter you may not want to invest that much time. There is also the extreme danger of getting hooked on pointing dogs which I guarantee will cut into your deer hunting.

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I hear ya. GSP's are like crack, if you try 'em once you're hooked. drdan is dead on it with his assessment of a GSP.



Edited by - shorthair on 10/28/2002 20:00:27

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RE: GSP or Lab
 

When I was originally looking at all the breeds 2 years ago the wirehair was a contender. After all this time I can't remember why I eliminated it. That does seem to fit the bill. I know they get along with kids, but do they live well with cats. I don't want me and the dog living in the kennel if you know what I mean.

I also heard that that breed had quite a few lines with rage in it. ANyone know anything about that? I am assuming it comes down to finding a reputable breeder.

RE: GSP or Lab
 

If you want an all around hunting machine that can take temperature extremes the wirehaired pointer is miles ahead of a GSP... This is based on being around those breeds and brittanies a good part of my life. I would also say brittany but not sure I would want one around a cat and they tend to be wired but are also great hunting machines. There is a breeder in Idaho can't recall the name that I spoke to a couple of years back and he was importing German strain dogs.

RE: GSP or Lab
 

I think any of the dogs mentioned can live with cats. They just have to know the rules, just like anything else they want to do that is not acceptable. I think dogs sometimes think that cats should NOT be given status as family but they will generally accept it anyway. Often enough they become friends after a while.

RE: GSP or Lab
 

rwallner,

I went through the same process less then a year ago. Both breeds are excellent. I picked the G.S.P. with German lines. They are breed to work closer then the American lines. The American line was a lot of times bred for trials and those dogs can run. I hunt mostly upland a G.S.P has more range in the hunt. Therefore more acreage probably more birds.( not as much as a Pointer or Setter but more then a lab) Waterfowl they are fine. If you hear the can't handle the cold thats wrong they were breed to be a complete dog. (it is the density of their hair not the length)They also require a lot more excerise time then a lab. I have had labs and hunt with guys with labs and the G.S.P will out last a lab. My dog is a nutcase if it doesn't get a good hour of running a day walking does nothing. I also know my dog is pretty laid back compared to other shorthairs. I have a cat the dog gets along fine with it but I have heard from many people lots of times they don't. This is my first G.S.P and I will never have another breed. The main thing is if you can't run the dog 1-2 hours 4-5 days a week I think you would be happier with the Lab.

Goodsen

RE: GSP or Lab
 

Thanks for the input. I think I am leaning back towards my original selection of a gsp. But I am researching the GWP. I found a breeder of the GWP that is fairly close to home, so I am going to go there and watch her dogs work. Thanks again to all who replied.

RE: GSP or Lab
 

If it is not too late, may I suggest a Boykin Spaniel! My first is better for me than a good lab, and an outstanding Britt that I have kept in the past.