Wirehaired Pointers for my first bird dog?
 

I am seriously thinking of getting a GWP this spring. I have looked and hunted with numerous breeds, and really like what the GWP has to offer.

My question is, I have heard that GWPs can be tough to train, tougher than a GSP.

I helped my brother train his GSP, and she is a great dog, very well trained, and I think I could handle that level of training.

Any opinions?

FYI - I am in MI, and will be hunting mainly upland birds, but occasionally duck. I am not looking for a field trial or show dog, but rather a hard hunter and companion.

Thanks,

Erik

RE: Wirehaired Pointers for my first bird dog?
 

I bought a german wirehaired pointer as my first pointing dog over the summer, and am finding her to be exceptionally stubborn, but also very smart and loves traing. I feel it just requires more patients than I ever would have expected. But she is a great dog and does pickup on things quickly, but test me alot.

RE: Wirehaired Pointers for my first bird dog?
 

Trained one about 10 years ago-was as hard headed as a Chessie but caught on fast-seemed she wanted a reason to do anything I asked her to do but once she figured out why I wanted it done she never forgot-did it for a buddy of mine and he hunted her every year until this last year-she just couldn't go anymore. She will test you-but if you are consistent and patient you will be rewarded

RE: Wirehaired Pointers for my first bird dog?
 

Rustyaxecamp

Have you ever looked into pointing labs?
Iam locted in michigan too, and do alot of upland hunting
don't do much waterfowl but my dogs are trained for it.
I have 3 Blk PL and one Chlt that I handle.
They learn fast and are a pleasure to work with and hunt behind.

RE: Wirehaired Pointers for my first bird dog?
 

For a 'first time trainer', I'd suggest the Pointing Lab as well. Labs are very forgiving for trainer errors. I LOVE GWPs, but for a 'virgin trainer', I think they could be a bit tough.

RE: Wirehaired Pointers for my first bird dog?
 

I have hunted with one pointing lab. I was not overly impressed, the Dratharrs (GWPs) in the group out hunted it. I thought for the money my friend spent, the doug would be better. However the training may not have been the best...... This pointing lab was more of a less flushing lab.

I am open to here about them, Dale (I checked your website, very nice), tell me why I should get a pointing lab......

Erik

Rusty Axe Camp

RE: Wirehaired Pointers for my first bird dog?
 

there are lots of reasons to get one but I think the most important thing is that you plan on both upland and waterfowl hunting and if you like to see a dog do good in both areas and a dog(not all of them of course) who wants to please you then a lab is the good bet, I have had my naysayers but have gotten their approvel after they went hunting with me!

RE: Wirehaired Pointers for my first bird dog?
 

Thanks!! That gave me some info I hadn't thought about. I will give it some thought. How often do you have litters?

Anyone else have input?????

Erik

Rusty Axe Camp

RE: Wirehaired Pointers for my first bird dog?
 

First off you will be satisfied with whichever dog you chose since they can both do the things you want them to do. I have worked with GWP's but never my own always for somebody else and I liked them a lot. In having researched PL's though I think I have found my next hunting buddy. I will be getting a pup to start in about 60 days. Seems to be the training that is the most important part of the whole thing. If you hunt with a bunch of other guys you may want to stick with a flusher or true pointer. If you spend as much time hunting alone as you do with others then either dog will work for you. I just figured I would give a PL a shot since I like most of what Doc C and RACh have had to say and what the Knutson' wrote in their book

RE: Wirehaired Pointers for my first bird dog?
 

I've got a breeding comming up in may, pups should be ready late Aug.
Pedigrees and all important info are posted on my website.
If you want to see my dogs in action give me a call.
We'll arrange a time you can come down.
I can also show their water retrieving skills, I don't have a pond yet but I go up to cabelas and use theirs often. If its not frozen. I am less than 10 miles from cabelas. so it wouldn't take that long.
let me know if your interested.

The book that Duckstampede mentioned is definatly a must have.
The Pointing Labrador by Paul and Julie Knutson
Another good one for retriever training is Game dog by richard wolters
Its start with basic comands and works its way through waterfowl and upland training.
I think I got both mine at cabelas.