Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

What dog would you recommend for this. I have a black lab and she is the best house dog you could ever want, i plan on mating her with a full blooded lab for pups, but is a lab good for hunting upland game?

RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

Labs are fine for pheasants. If plan on going quail hunting you'd better get a pointer. My recomendation would be a German Shorthair.

RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

Hey..shorthair,what if by some weird law in his town he can't get a Shorthair? What's no.# 2 on the list? Britts? (wink& a nod)
HA,HA!

RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

Hey scottsman, the &quot; Pointing Bassett Hound &quot; is gaining in popularity for those who can't afford a good pointer. They say the dog hunts very close and is a really good looking animal too!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

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RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

Pointing Bassett hound...huh.... know where I could get a pup? Now will they retreive too? I mean if there's not a ditch or log in the way.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

Look into &quot;Red&quot; Setters, the &quot;other&quot; Irish Setter. Made in America, by Americans, for American hunters... Woodcock, common Snipe, Quail, Chukar, Huns, Pheasant, Rabbits, Bobcats {Yes they'll tree one if given the chance!} jump shooting Ducks {in the U.K. they call them Irish Setter retrievers known for thier exellent retrieving ability, and is very true too!} Doves, and just about any thing you want to shoot over their intense, accurate &quot;setts&quot; {Points as it's called here in the U.S., but these dogs were bred to &quot;set&quot; not point, and now newer bred, smaller strains do have high tails} You will truely enjoy their amazing abilities in the uplands or marshes!

Edited by - Lady Grouse Hunter on 02/22/2002 01:43:31

RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

Hey Buckforme!

Good choice in dogs! Labrador retrievers are excellent dogs for any type bird hunting!
These guys that say &quot;pointing dogs&quot; should be used for &quot;whatever&quot; have to use pointers 'cause they allow you a much closer-in shot at the bird. Thus I think pointers are used solely for those bird hunters that can't hit their targets more than 10 yards out..Hee Hee! Sorry &quot;Shorthair&quot;!

Again, EXCELLENT CHOICE &quot;buckforme&quot;!!

Labradors Rule!

The &quot;Lab-Man&quot; <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

If you want to throw lead in the air and come back with no birds stay with the lab.
But if you coon hunt black labs can sneak up
on em with out being seen and tree em quicker so you don't gotta walk so far.
A buddy of mine has one of those pointing Bassets and it he can point with 1 foot on the ground.GET A SHORTHAIR!!!

RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

MY vote is GSP mine works great on the Dove field (9months old) and is a sho nuff pointing machine!

RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

If you want a good all around hunting dog, that is if you hunt some waterfowl as well, go with the lab. If strictly upland, GSP's are your answer.

Just my two cents.

Chad

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RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

Thanks guys!

RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

I guess the question I gotta ask is, do you want to hunt with a point dog or a flush dog? I used to get in this debate,over which is better, with some friends of mine all the time... I think everyone has there own opinion, but to say you shouldn't use a lab for upland birds <img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle> don't believe it. My brothers and I have hunted pheasant & quail over 25 years with labs, and when you grow up on a farm in Iowa...you do a lot of bird hunting, actually you do a lot of hunting period, why else would I live here<img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>. We all have labs now,including my dad, and even though they are great pets...we have them because they are great bird dogs. Though Iowa is known for pheasant hunting, we prefer quail hunting and many years have taken over 100 of each...and let me tell you, it's tough to shoot a 100 quail in Iowa,unless they're the ones with bands on their legs<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>. For the mostpart, we've had better luck in the field with our females, as they seem to stay closer. Just so you know I've hunted over German Shorthair's(I have two friends that both have them) and they are wonderful hunting dogs and I would highly recommend them if you prefer a pointer.

Nothing will replace time in the field for your dog, but at least give her a try. We've always had our younger labs hunt with the older ones which has really helped their learning process in the field. Sorry about the long post,usually on a different board. Just wanted to make sure you know that there are some labs that make great upland bird dogs. Good Luck!


TB

RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

Labs are one of the best all around dogs there are. The only problem is they are a brush buster on land so you have to be ready. Adds to the excitment of the hunt when the birds blow out unexpected.

Dream to Hunt...Hunt to Dream

RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

I have to agree with Tim Clark you can not go wrong with a LAB. My lab hunts every bird huntable!

Though I be wounded,
I am not slain,
I'll lay me down to bleed awhile
and then I'll rise and fight again!

RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

A Lab is a great dog for upland hunting, as is a shorthair or any other hunting breed. The difference is, with flushers, it is a more up-close and personal hunt. The dog has to be trained to stay within gun range. With a pointer, the hunter will cover far less acreage than someone who hunts over flushers. It's a personal choice. I hunt bobwhite quail in Kentucky (with Chessies) and we do as well as those, who hunt over pointers.

Edited by - uplandchessies on 03/13/2002 19:26:29

RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

NIce answer uplandchessies

I agree. A lab is a excellent choice for upland birds. If you train your lab to stay close then you will have plenty of shots at the Quail and doves. You will have to walk a lot more, but hey isn't that part of why we are out there. I have a Chocolate lab and she is excellent on finding the pheasents and Quail. She stays close and gives me time to react with a quick point. Also learn to tell the difference when the dog is just working or actually on a bird. That is the key. Each dog is different. Mine the head goes down she starts snorten and the tail start wagging vigorously.
Good luck and be safe

RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

One point being missed is a Shoorthair retrevies just as well as a lab in the water, web feet you know. I hunted ducks and my GSP sat beside me the whole time but to get her to bring the ducks in I had to throw a rock at it and tell her to fetch. Lady was only 10 months old then.

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RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

Labs RULE! They will hunt any upland bird anywhere!

Excellent choice! If you want, find a mate with &quot;pointing bloodline&quot; lineage for the pups.

Best of luck!


Lab-Man (Labrador Retriever trainer/owner since 1965)

RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

You might want to consider a German Wirehair Pointer. I have two and they are excellent pointers and retrievers. The nice thing about them is their versatility. Not only will they hunt upland birds, I also use them for water fowl. The wire coat keeps them warm and they actually love water. They don't range very far, will beat the brush and have a very hard point. Just something to think about.

RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

I know I am the new guy here, but an English Setter is a mighty fine dog.

RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

Hey Shorthair, ya think i could get a beagle to point ?<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> I like a Lab for flushing and a German short hair for quail and such, My best pointer was my son at age 8, he would point and say hey pop there goes one !!!!!!!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Relive the thrill of your first hunt,take a kid hunting !

Edited by - hoghunter51 on 04/23/2002 18:30:35

RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

Hey Lady Grouse Hunter,

:):)I really appreciate your plug for Red Setters. I tried to get my hands on one a while back, and it's a long story, but I ended up with a shorthair. Would still like to get one in the future. They're gorgeous and some of the lines do an excellent job hunting & retrieving<img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>!

You made my day!
DanMan - who has a soft spot for red dawgs

RE: Pheasant / Quail Dogs
 

How are Goldens for upland game retrieving? I've never hunted with Goldens, only my Balkan Hound and 3 black Labs. What kind of game are they good for retrieving. Obviously water fowl, but anything aside from the traditional?