I will be getting a German Shorthaired Pointer this spring. As of right now I do alot of rabbit hunting, but i'd like to get more into grouse and pheasant. My question is... Is it possible to train a GSP to hunt rabbit and birds. My breeder, who also competes in nstra field trials, tells me that he wouldn't recomend this and he has very limited experiance with such "combo dogs". I'm not looking for a "top notch" hunting partner either way, but an acceptable dog that can do both? What are your thoughts?

I don't know about a GSP, but a GWP (or Pointing Lab) or other Versatile Dog can handle both fur and feathers without a problem.

PROBABLY the reason your breeder doesn't like the idea is because when you're out hunting birds and a rabbit takes off, and your dog goes into chase mode, and thus 'accidentally' flushes lots of birds -- well, you get the picture. Also some folks think that when a pointing dog chases rabbits that it may 'ruin' their point.

AS I said, I don't know about GSPs, but both rabbits and birds are fine with a Versatile Dog (including the PL).

My only thoughts are that, one) your dog will probably struggle to hold his point if he's allowed to chase game...he may quit pointing altogether, and two)gsp's are long legged and fast, which would make a rabbit race tough. Beagles are good becuase they aren't as fast and can keep the rabbit moving a distance ahead so you can shoot without peppering the dog. With a big fast dog like that, he may be closer in on the rabbits when you shoot and you could pepper him. You could always get two different dogs...can't have enough huntin' dogs.

Ajax a G.S.P is a versitle breed and does great on birds and rabbits. I have two and they hunt both with no problem of not pointing birds. Look into NAVHDA they have a lot of info on the versitale breeds and how to train them.

They where bred to hunt , point, track and retrieve all manner of fur and feathers. ENJOY your dog.

...learn something new everyday...sorry if I was wrong. This was just advice I found when I was wondering if my mountain cur could run rabbits and tree squirrels. Let them do whatever you want them to do...its your dog and you're the judge of its usefulness and success!! -MIKE

The way this was explained to me was that the real problem with teaching a dog to hunt rabbits is the way they carry their head. Supposedly dogs that are encouraged to run fur tend to ground scent a lot, and thus miss or bump birds. I have no idea if this is true, but it is what i was told.

I'm sure the GSP will handle both birds and bunnies.You may have to adjust your hunting style some.I also express caution with bunnies, your dog may give chase and that leads to unsafe shots.I would however shoot any the dog happens to point and hold for a safe shot.Dogs associate what 'game' is by the animals shot for the dog,so if bunnies are in your hunt plans make sure you have a safe controled shot and if your hunting with buddies or freinds make sure they understand your rules.Take care,Jackson..

We owned and trained GSP for many years. Our best dog would always hunt what ever we wanted her to hunt. It is said by field trialers that you should not do both. But as someone else said the GSP was bread as an all around dog. If she is going to be just your hunting dog do with her what you want and you should not have any problems.

You are the one getting the dog. Most everything I read hear rings true, pay particular attention to safety.
GSP's are fast and can easily give good close chase to rabbits, careful of your shot. If you whoa break your dog
and teach him/her to be steady to shot on birds, it may work on the bunnies as well. I have hunted over GSP for about
6 years. I had one instance last year when a young female made a quick lunge hunting up a waterway and came up with
a bunny. I have had numerous opportunities to shoot bunnies while pheasant and quail hunting that would have been
safe shots while hunting over young dogs. The young dogs were semi pointing the rabbits. I don't shoot them because these dogs get finished and sold as bird dogs. The breed is however, as mentioned, completely capable of hunting fur or feathers.
My advise, start with birds and teach whoa. When you get it right do the same with rabbits. You should end up with a dog
that can handle both games. A dog that points rabbits and birds is what I would try to have. If you let the dog chase rabbits
you open up the situation to possible tragedy and it is hard to hunt with a dead dog.
Good luck with your "meat dog"!