RE: Best Pointer To Start With????
 

It is always good to get your dog out working with you, no matter
what kind of dog or what you hunt with. I took mine out this
morning just looking for a few grouse, as it is not hunting time
just yet. We was out for 4 hours and when we got back my dog
sat in the truck for 4 more wanting to go out some more. In all
that time we only found one grouse but I enjoyed every minute
of hunting around looking.

RE: Best Pointer To Start With????
 

Since you already have a lab, why not upland hunt with her? I live in Western Washington where winters are wet and the only a small portion of land is set aside for upland bird hunting. The majority of the people here use labs and they do just fine.

But if you really need an upland dog, I would suggest a springer spaniel if the majority of hunting is hedgerows. They are small around 40lbs and will 'burrow' into hedgerows and flush birds.I own a small setter and several times I missed on birds because I thought the dog was someplace else but she was actually on point and I couldn't see her. Once she held point for 20mins or sowhile I kept whistling her tocome backand when the pheasant finally flushed I wasnot prepared to take the shot.

RE: Best Pointer To Start With????
 

You might ought to invest in a beeper mite!!! LOL

RE: Best Pointer To Start With????
 

Hey Mite, check this out, an Irish Setter at 16 months old and tipping the scales at a big 28 lbs. Some of todays Irish are being bred to try an establish the old style hunting dog of yesterday. The ones from way back in the very early years of the setters.

RE: Best Pointer To Start With????
 

Finally got pic of my buddy up!!!!!

2years old this december 95lb bed hog

RE: Best Pointer To Start With????
 

I live in Texas and hunt quail mostly, However I do make the trek up north to Ia,SD,ND,KA and NE every year for Grouse,Praire Chickens and of course Phesants. I have Pointes,Setters and GSPs and they all work well. Find a breed you like and then find a reputable breeder and buy your pup and enjoy the BEST BREED is the one you like.

RE: Best Pointer To Start With????
 

I have Pointers,Setters and GSPs and like them all. Each one is a little different. Find a breed you like and then find a reptable breeder and buy you a pup. The BEST BREED BY FAR is the one you have if it is well trained.

RE: Best Pointer To Start With????
 

Safest bet is the German Shorthair Pointers. Tough, dependable, relatively easy to train, all rounders (hunt, point and retrieve). There are other fantastic breeds around but all with their particular pluses and minuses. The English Pointer covers alot of ground but is not a retriever nor does it take to water kindly. The English Springer won't point, and is a nightmare coat to look after. The labs retrieve only and love the water but don't point. So I think that the GSP is the best all round dog. Depends on yr needs really.

RE: Best Pointer To Start With????
 

You havent heard of a pointing lab???? Ask Doc E.

RE: Best Pointer To Start With????
 

you have the BEST all around dog ,the LAB..they are not best grouse hunter,pheasant hunter,quail hunter,rabbit hunter,squirreal hunter,BUT they will hunt them all..

the reason the LAB is best , i feel, is because they always hunt close and always out in front of you..the other dogs i see are 1/2 mile away and owners have those collar things on them..

i seen other dogs hunt grouse/pheasants better than the LAB..i have friend who runs preserve..he told me that on 10 flushes on pheasants,lab will flush 3 and pointer 7 birds hunting together..

he said pointer is better dog for birds..he should know..

BUT, BUT, BUT,if you want a dog that can do it all, not best and stays with you in brush, fields,heavy woods and i home off a leash,then you already have the dog you want..LAB