I'd say it would be the GWP

You'll have one of your own to take pics of before long

Jashoffa,
I have been gone for a time and just returned. You ask what kind of evidence I have spaniels are better? Well, it is an article of faith for most upland bird magazines. If we read Hup by James B Spencer who has trained a representive dogs of each hunting style to a Master hunter with AKC. Spaniels handle birds which come singlely better than pointing dogs because these birds tend to run out from underneath a pointing dogs point. You accuse me of just having my own experience and then site one dog, yours. We hunt with what we like. Doc E loves pointing labs, I don't. I think a flushing dog WORKING PROPERLY is just as aesthetecally pleasing as a pointing dog. I've worked wide ranging pointers on pheasants and huns and had great success. I just like the kamikazee flush. Just because you like your GSP doesn't mean someone else will.

Dr Fatguy

I do like Ford trucks

jashoffa I just purchased a two hole with top storage from Wolverine dog boxes this year and were very reasonably priced. everyone I looked at was between $800-$1000 dollars w/o storage and higher with storage. Mine ran about $450 just look up wolverine dog boxes on the web if interested.

drfatguy,

I Said

I think you are being a bit over cridical of me.

I first stated I have a GSP and I am fond of her as a hunting dog and house dog

Then I stated I didn't hunt Water Fowl and then named some breeds I would look at if I did or was going to start.

I continued by saying "for me" I like seeing dogs on point.

followed by a praise of my buddies' labs but reminded any readers that i am not intersted in them for myself.

and in conclusion I stated

a fact followed by my opinion of Pointing Labs


AT NO TIME DID I STATE THAT GSP'S ARE THE ONLY WAY TO GO OR EVEN THAT
PSE-ARCHER SHOULD GET A GSP.

He can read my post, your post, Doc E's post and make up his mind for himself.

P.S.

I Thank you for clarifying your stance on flushers working birds better than pointers. I didn't mean to attack you in any way I was just making an observation. Oh and as no suprise I don't agree.


I know a guy can get a pit touchy when it comes to his Gundog. You can rag on a man's wife and kids but say something about his Gundog and Look out!!!!

pse-archer, good luck in looking for your gundog! sorry we may have gotten a little bit off topic but I hope you can find some useful information

If you wanted a truly versitile dog the continetal breeds would be hard to beat if they are still tested through the European tests. I have a Drahthaar and have killed a limit of rabbits, pheasants, geese and killed a couple of ducks with him in one day. I have also Blood tracked deer, he has killed coyotes, coons and other fur. I know of people that use them for hunting hogs. He comes in the house at night and my kids (13 & 3) use him like a pillow while watching TV. The Germans believe in having one dog for everything. I dont ever look to have anything else for a dog.. Take a look at the group website. www.vdd-gna.org JMO I enjoy them.

I agree with versdog. I have had Chessies for years but went with a Jagdterrier. These little dogs aren't big enough to hunt geese but will hunt everything else. I have hunted hogs , quail, ducks, pheasants, and grouse with mine. I am training him to blood trail wounded game. I think one would have to look far and wide to find a better producer of fur. He wieghs in at 22 lbs and can kill a 30 lb raccoon by himself. I know, big hounds get run off by raccoons but he doesn't. He hunts. That's what he lives for. His parents were tested in Europe so he has a strong prey drive and desire. I can't say enough about this breed or this dog. He does his deal in the water, under the ground, in the uplands, swamps, anywhere I have taken him he has produced.
This is my long winded .02 worth

Dr Fatguy

I am in CO and hunt duck, goose, and pheasant.

For a flusher, springer or lab. For a pointing dog, Drathaar, German Wirehaired (ducks and geese, wire haired dogs handle the cold better then a shorthair), pointing Lab if you want to train it to point. I like flushing dogs. In the book Hunting Dog Know-how, by David Michael Duffy (a journalist, who worked into training meat dogs) it is stated one can shoot more birds over a spaniel or flushing retriever with less work.
How far do you want your dog to work from you? A pointing dog works outside of gun range or has no functional advantage over a flusher. Both can work inside gun range it's just the pointer will be doing flushing dog work so why not use the Flusher instead? I had my pointers (English and red setters) working at 200-400 yards (a long shot for an 06). I worked my Chess at 20 yards. I hunted more with the Ches than the pointers because I liked hanging with him more. I've gone to a Jagdterrier now for the same reason. This is what you need to decide, which breed are you going to like hanging with? Having me tell you what is the most logical dog is only telling you what I'd say if I were in your situation. Choosing a breed is a personal choice. Go look at some dogs work at a few hunt tests and decide which you like. You may end up with a Flat coated retriever (a good duck fetcher and upland dog) or a curly-coated retriever or a spinone or an Airedale. You have to find the breed and individual dog you like.

Dr Fatguy

PS Notice I haven't told you to choose a Jagdterrier. They are special dogs and take an experienced trainer to get the most out of them. This is my choice and I don't want it to become popular and get screwed up (re: Irish setters, Labs, Goldens, cockers, Jack Russells ect).

drfatguy
The one advantage I can see of a pointing dog over a flusher is if you have alot of ground to cover a pointer will cover more of that ground faster because it runs bigger. I believe the reason you see more flushers, mostly labs in SD is because you have such a large quanity of birds in one area and I believe they are the best for this but if your hunting huns, quail, or pheasants in an area that has alot of cover without very many birds then I believe a pointer is better because they will cover more ground. It sure is nice when you have been walking for 4 hours and you see a patch of cover a couple hundred yeards away and the dog swings over there and hits it. It make you feel assured that you have covered every bit of cover you can. I understand the concern that a the dog may flush the bird wild, but a good pointing dog will hold the bird until you get there. Also if the dog does flush the bird you have the chance to watch where the bird goes down and work him again. I had a springer and she was a fantastic dog, you could not ask for more heart in a dog. I just prefer pointers. I grew up with them, sorry I just enjoy them. If i had grown up with Springers i probably would be talking about owning a springer. I went to the Drahthaar because I wanted a dog that I could hunt ducks, geese and upland birds over. i mostly hunt upland birds but hunt early season ducks and late season geese. I really like the Drahthaar because of the versatility of the breed.

Kirk

you just have to decide if you would like to have a Pointer or Flusher. Once you find the type of Dog you like their are tremendous breeds in each style. Just go with a good breeder and i am sure you will not be disapointed.
Scott