Lookin for my 1st dog
 

Hay yall im finaly ready to get me a bird dog i have narrowed it down to a gsp or an english setter im gettin a finished dog i dont know how to train a bird dog i have trained horses just never tried sporting dogs who knows of a good dog in ohio the dog must get along with other animals house training isnt a problem i can do that myself of course the dog must have a good personality and temperment

RE: Lookin for my 1st dog
 

whats a gsp?

RE: Lookin for my 1st dog
 

Both breeds have great qualities. some questions you might want to ask yourself.
1. What kind of game and terrain are you going to be hunting.
2. Is your hunting dog also going to be a house pet? Admit it, most of them are most of the time.
3. Do you have the ability to let your dog do what it is bred to do? In other words, remember that hunting dogs hunt. My wife will tell you of the muskrats, bunnies, birds etc brought proudly home.
I am partial to pointting labs for the type of hunting that I do and would be glad to discuss further.

RE: Lookin for my 1st dog
 

Go witha black pointing lab. try www.santafelabs.com. Ron has some awsome pointers/Retreivers.

RE: Lookin for my 1st dog
 

German Shorthair Pointer.

RE: Lookin for my 1st dog
 

:eek:You are considering two very fine breeds. Are you aware of the cost of finished dogs? They will probably start at $2500.00, and go up from there, maybe a little less?
Finished dogs from field trial stock will be familiar with horses! And started dogs from the same!
Good luck in your search, and hope you enjoy many days afield with the dog you choose!
P.S. don't overlook Vizslas, they are very fine huntings dogs, very similar to the GSP, just smaller!

RE: Lookin for my 1st dog
 

Truly finished dogs are not cheap. Whatever you get make sure you get it from reputable breeder and Eyes and hips have been cert.
Make sure you have the time. Are you willing to give up large portion of your bowseason to spend with the dog.

RE: Lookin for my 1st dog
 

I would go to www.uplandbirddog.com and post there. Some of the top field trialers and trainers like Lou Gebler, Maurice Lindsey, Janet Nahorn, and Brenda Roe lurk on that board, and they can get you pointed in the right direction. They know who has started pups, out of what studs, and how those dogs tend to perform.

RE: Lookin for my 1st dog
 

I swear by my Brittanys. If you buy from a good breeder, they're terrific family pets and HARD hunters. Not too big, not too small. I've got photos of ours retreiving a goose! I wouldn't own anything else for birds!

RE: Lookin for my 1st dog
 

thanks for all the insight i have spent most of this year looking at breeds and temperments it will be a house dog i have also went to a bunch of field trials looking at dogs thats how i narrowed it down there are a few kennels around here who breed and train bird dogs and a ton of shooting preserves of course the dog will be my fishing buddy in the off season so exercise isnt a problem about the only time the dog cant go is the first week of october the bow season for deer around here i do expect to pay a few thousand or more for the right dog im picky about the personality of all my animals that comes from my horse training days i dont buy animals with personalitys i dont like i also dont rush into buying an animal i like to get to know the dog before i buy and of course my vet has to give the okeydokey i did miss out on a good dog because im so slow but he was really cheep made me kind of leery by the time i made all my calls and checked the dog out he was sold

RE: Lookin for my 1st dog
 

I'm kind of in the same boat as you... After long debate i decided on a GSP. I found a good breeder/trainer in southeastern MI named Scott Townsend. Check out his site for more information. http://www.crosswindkennel.com

If your really interested, he'll probably invite you over and maybe bring you on a hunt with his stud/bitch dogs or to check out his started/finished dogs.

Tell him that Art Garcia sent ya ;)

Hope this helps,
-Ajax

RE: Lookin for my 1st dog
 

Since you have narrowed down your choices to English Setter's and GSP, I won't add any other breeds into my opinion. I have owned 4 different GSP's and hunted with this breed in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Massachusetts, NH and Maine. The breed has the potential to be outstanding hunters, among the best in the dog world. I found them versatile and easy to train for the field. I have to admit, I am very fond of GSP's and think they are among the top hunters out there. That being said, moving into an apartment I no longer own a short-hair. They "can" make great house dogs, but you are just as likely to find a dog that has some issues in the home as not in my expereince. They tend to be a bit higher strung then other breeds, and their need to really run requires a commitment from the owner that is substantial. I am not trying to dissuade you from this dog, but just open your eyes to the fact they are not one of the easiest dogs to own. That being said .. I absolutely love them, and for an owner who is commited to exercise sessions daily and has the space and patience for this breed, you can't do much better.

All of my English Setter experience comes second hand from 3 different hunting buddies and I have hunted over these dogs as well in all of the above named states. This breed has unbelievable potential for talent in hunting. In my experience though, top GSP's and ES's are equally good hunters. You won't find you harvest more birds with either ... and any differences in hunting ability are more individual dog related than breed related. Even though I have never owned one, I would give the nod to English Setter's as family pets. Before all the GSP guys jump on me .. remember I have owned 4!!!! and never owned a setter. The English Setter's in my experience have been a little calmer, a bit more confident (when left solo for periods of time) and just overall a little easier in the home than GSP's. They of course have some of their own unique issues. They do require a LOT more maintenance after hunting and play than GSP's. Those beautiful coats pick up EVERYTHING and many the hunt has ended with my GSP sleeping in the truck as we tried to detangle and deburr my friends dogs .. solo, it can be an extra hour after a hunt. One other thing is a matter of personal preference, but that flipping tail! You'll not be leaving glasses on coffee tables anymore if you catch my drift. They also require lots of exercise, but I found just a hair less than a GSP and tend to not be as antsy if they miss a day.

You asked for an opinion on the 2 breeds, and in mine you narrowed it down to my personal 2 favorite pointing breeds. You really can't go wrong as far as hunting if the dog you purchase is finished and has any talent ... take the time and choose the right companion for your lifestyle. Please let us know how you make out.

RE: Lookin for my 1st dog
 

Hoo Boy! What a decision you have to make. Take all the stuff about gsp's needing exercise and double it for English Setters. Mine runs free every day, although sometimes no more than 10 minutes. She's a house dog. They're pretty hyper but man can they hunt! Those guys are right ...buy from somebody with an established reputation. I see ads all the time in Upland Journal and RGS journal for a Buckeye Kennel in southern Ohio ...don't know him or the dogs. But ...I live in Toledo and drove to upstate NY to pick up my ES. Good Luck!

RE: Lookin for my 1st dog
 

well the dog i get will get plenty of time to run where i fish is plenty of open ground with no vehicle traffic to worry about and of course the kids take the dogs for a walk weekly we have 3 dogs now 1 is getting a new home soon my wife has an austrailian sheperd mix my duaghter has a jack russel and we have a mut 2 are inside 1 prefers outside he will come in for a few hours then hes ready to go back out im not afraid to drive or fly to find the right dog but i never buy the first time i see an animal it might be next year before i find the right dog but ill get what i want i know i want a male

RE: Lookin for my 1st dog
 

These are both great breeds. I have owned both and they both require a lot of exercise. I own a G.S.P. right now and tend to prefer them for a few reasons.

1) they have less grooming
2) they are more versitale, they will do upland, waterfowl, blood tracking.
3) I foot hunt and they tend to work a little closer
4) you don't notice the dog hair as much in the house.

I think you have to look at what kind of hunting you do. If only upland and on horseback I would go with the setter. Upland and walk either would work. If you hunt waterfowl along with upland go with the G.S.P.

RE: Lookin for my 1st dog
 

;) hEY LES, you should know not get a pointer. You need a lab, expspecially if you only hunt public land like ceasar creek and rush run. You could have a dozen points before you even find a bird with all the smell up there at those public spots. Labs are alot better if there is a bird in there than he/she will push it up................go with a lab.......listen to me, your wife aint gonna let you get a dog![:'(]:D

RE: Lookin for my 1st dog
 

bowhuntinoh
You might be underestimating the need to run those breeds, IMO mabye others can agree/disagree your gonna need to exercise them daily,Walks dont count. a pup kept inte the house unexercised all day aint pretty sight.

RE: Lookin for my 1st dog
 

If you get a gsp from German lines or some of the more "traditional" American lines, you will NOT have a hyper dog. If you get a gsp from true "field trial" lines, you could end up with a hyper dog. A good breeder will know what dogs are and what are not hyper.

RE: Lookin for my 1st dog
 

[8D] Mike she already said i could get a dog the dog will get a ton of excersize in open fields i spend a lot of time outdoors i cant stand being inside cooped up in the house if i can carry mail in the snow and rain i can shure go out and play in it

RE: Lookin for my 1st dog
 

Good point Les, however i would get a lab, i have a chocolate lab male and we could breed em and make some money, lol.

RE: Lookin for my 1st dog
 

turk after dove huntin ill think about another lab when we going fishing some fella gave me a gas motor for the john boat i had to put a 53 cent nut on it runs great

RE: Lookin for my 1st dog
 

Go with the setter, you won't regret it