Best Pointer To Start With????
 

Even with the lack of bird hunting in my area I have really been considering a pointer pup. I would be new to the game of training a pointer. Basically a decent pup would already know more than me. I have done the basics with a couple labs (for waterfowl)both of which grew into good ole boy hunting companions. Just wondering which breed of pointer would be best to start with

RE: Best Pointer To Start With????
 

Or setter... even spaniel... ???

RE: Best Pointer To Start With????
 

This is a tough one as most of us all favor different style of game bird
dogs and hunt different types of areas. So we all like to hunt in a way
thatis consistent with the environment we hunt them in. As well as
the type of birds we will be hunting. But if you could get one that is all
trained and someone to teach you the ropes of it would be of great help
to you. If not get some cds and see how they hunt with them, and a few
different types of dogs. Also once you get an idea of what you want
see if you can find someone with that type of dog to show you how it
hunts. Or any other info you may need, as the care the dog will need to
help keep him healthy and ect. Good Luck.

I also see you are new to the forums so welcome to the forums.

RE: Best Pointer To Start With????
 

I favor the German and Spanish Short Hair Pointers, but many in my family have had BritneySpringers for years.

RE: Best Pointer To Start With????
 

It would really help us if you told us what type of birds you are interested in hunting, what kind of terrain, and where you're from (which might dictate terrain). If we at least know this much then some of us might be able to narrow down your possibilities.

RE: Best Pointer To Start With????
 

Sorry for not responding. It was a very busy weekend. I hope I did not lose your attention.Let me start by saying thatI am definitly aware of the amount of work and dedication required. This will obviously be process.It will be at least 2 more seasons before I plan to purchase a pup.I have read a number of books on training labs they have defintly been helpful. Are there any books or DVDs that you would recomend? I do know a couple of bird hunters in my area and will be leaning on them for help.
Our area is flat wet terrain. I would mostly be hunting turn rows & wooded edges. The most common bird would be quail. I hunt for the fun morethan the success. Which is why I do not purchase trained dogs or have someone else do the training for me. That is most of the fun. I'm not looking for or expecting a champ in my 1st dogs. Just a good time with some hunting and whole lot of learning. So, any recommendations on breeds or books. I'm looking for a dog thats obviously well suited for the terrain and game. In my experience both labs and chesapeakes are great hunters. However I would definitly recommend a lab for the beginer for the tempermant and eagerness please. While a chessy is a great retriever they tend to have a mind of their own at times. Any comparisons????

RE: Best Pointer To Start With????
 

The Pointing breeds, in my opinion, are actually easier to train to "huntable" than almost any retriever. Some may argue that point, but getting a lab or chessie to be controlled in a blind or boat and retrieve on command is harder. The reason is that any good bloodlined hunting "pointer" will by instict know much of what you expect in a hunter. I say "hunter" not field trial champion!

As far asPointers easy to trainBrittany'swould be near the top of my list, followed by Setter's and thenGerman Shorthairs. I know there are lots more breeds, but those are the onesI know well. All breeds are capable of producing a gem of a dog, or a flat out bust. Brit's are sensitive dogs by nature and tend to want to hunt for you, vs hunt for the love of hunting. That ofcourse is a generality and varies by dog.

In my experience the most important thing totrain with a pointer is CONTROL. They come with the great nose and legs to run, but if you don't train control they can make a day in the field real frustrating.

Good luck! I am always impressed with a good retriever but the upland dog is so much more part of the actual hunt that I feel the "hunting" bond can be even stronger with a pointer/flusherthanwith a retriever.

RE: Best Pointer To Start With????
 

I find the setters easy to train also and pointing on instict is
natural to any well breed setter also. I like the Irish and could
not have found a more suited dog for my needs. Long legged
and fast comes with them. When trained right the only thing
they want to do is make you happy. I hunt mine in the woods
up here. Be it an alder swail, thick sapplings,or in the woods
under some hardwood trees to softwoodtrees. They are full
of energy and just can't wait to hunt. Sometimes a mind of
their own when wanting to play, but, when scenting a bird
it is all buisness. The sad thing is they are hard to get and
comes with a price tag. I had one litter of pups a year ago and
one of those pups was sold about ten miles from here. I ask him
if he liked her and if I could buy here back. The answer was you
couldn't buy her for a million dollars. Now he has hunted and owned
the pointer and a golden retreiver and raised a few others. He stated
that this one was the easiest he had ever trained. But, again whatever
you want is what you want. Just make sure you do your homework to
find what you are looking for and of course the breeder is checked into
thouroghly. Good Luck to you.

RE: Best Pointer To Start With????
 

Thank you for your help. 2 out of the 3 bird hunters I know used and/or use Brittanys the other german short hair. A good friend of mine's father who comes from a long background of bird hunting had1 setter out of a couple ger. shortsand claimed it was the best dog he had ever seen and definitly the best he ever had. But, as Phil said they are hard to come by and on the expensive side.I will definitly startresearching those 3. Thanks again

RE: Best Pointer To Start With????
 

I need to get a pic of my lab on here. Just turned 19 months. Can't wait to get him on the hunt again this year. I never expect them to catch on 110% until their 3rd. But I know this, his 2nd will be a fun one. He had afew easy retrieves last year at about 10 - 12 months even a couple geese after a lot of thought on his part. The geesehave just started to fly now and again here and he definitly remembers what those honks mean!!!

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

RE: Best Pointer To Start With????
 

Hey Phil,
Your Irish looks alot like my Red Setter...are we talking the same dogs?

RE: Best Pointer To Start With????
 

Not at all, these are Irish Setters that photo of the small one is from a pup I sold a year and a half ago. The mother has strong lines from Imports out of Dublin, Ireland. The dad is also Irish and I enjoy these setters.Here is a photo of the dad and that year and a half old pup looks a lot like her mom.