I dont know way GSP owners dont like Brits. I dont like GSPs, cuz they are wild, big, stinky dogs whom I just dont like from a personal standpoint. No real tangible reason, I just dont like them for some reason.

Cody:

I also have a Brit. He is 3 and does what he can. He does have some liitations in heavy cover therefore, I purchased an English Setter. Many people force break pointing dogs if you want a finished dog. However, some pointing dog people will have their dog point dead. Take a look at many different breeds. Here in Wisconsin GSP's are extremely popular. Many people will use these dogs as versaitile dogs. In fact, you can do some digging on versaitiledogs.com

Codydawg,

You should get a PL in all seriousness. If you do not like your Brit's roaming, you probably will not like any pointing dog breed with the exception of a griffon or a PL. A pointer needs to be independent to some degree as they are suppossed to bring the hunter to the bird. A retriever is all about control. Personally I don't think that you could put the kind of control on a dog necessary to be a field trail retriever and still have the indpendence required for a really good pointer. I could be wrong, but I don't think I am. Different strokes for different folks. Personally, I find the lab's constant needs for affirmation/attention annoying as hell and I cannot stand a dog that is always underfoot and pestering me to play. Most pointers are more aloof or snobbish or whatever. They just don't act like labs.


As for the GSPs, there are some really wonderful dogs being bred out there like SharpShooters, etc. Traditional or heavily trialed NAVDHA dogs seem to be pretty even keeled temperment wise. I know my GSP lays around the house like a hound.

Some of the real "American Field Type GSPS" are hell bent for leather and are like you describe. It seems like Rawhides Clown bred dogs are especially knot-headed. Some field trial dogs like Rabidou's dogs or Rugerheim are very nice dogs, with teh Rugerheim being dual type dogs that can do it all.

Thanks.
He is a MHR (Master Hunting Retriever) which followed WR and SR -- also has passes in HRC Seasoned, Finished and Upland.

I'm probably not going to spell this right -- but DD is a Deutcsh Draathaur - it's the German version of a German Wirehair (GWP).

Thanks Doc for the explaination of DD.

Alaskamagnum makes some good points, especially when refering to the different lines of GSP.
Would rather hunt behind Benji then Clown dogs that I've seen. Look how crazy and wild these two are. That bird wasn't moving anywhere.

I should probably point out that I have no interest at all in any kind of trials. My dog will strictly be my hunting dog and a family dog. I do a lot of upland hunting however, so the hunting part is pretty important. So I have not heard anything bad about Alma Bottom, thus I will be contacting them as well as probably one more kennel.

You should also definitely check with Black Forest Kennels www.pointinglabrador.com