What kind of dog?
 

What kind of dog for hunting?
German Shorthair
Lab
Golden Retriever

Or something other then those

RE: What kind of dog?
 

they are all very good hunting dogs they each have their pros and cons. I prefer a lab they can handle the cold a lot better than a pointer and shorter hair than the golden stickers,goat heads and such. The lab is a hard breed to beat not only for hunting, but makes a great family dogs. they are very versital in the field from waterfowl to upland. on the upland some flush and some point you can get several characteristics of different breeds into one.

RE: What kind of dog?
 

Where do you live -- what do you hunt?

RE: What kind of dog?
 

^^^^exactly! Where do you live and what type of game do you hunt??? We need little more info.

Quail and pheasant.......I prefer GSP's....obvisouly....very versatile and great dogs!

Ducks & Geese.....lab (no experience but know they're good b/c in my opinion the golden's have been bread more for pets than hunting unless you find that rare golden breeder that specializes in the "old" hunting type of golden) Just my $0.02 though

RE: What kind of dog?
 

For most hunters these days, a springer or cocker from working lines will do a better job for just about everything. Springers are the acme of pheasant dogs (sorry GSP flushers work pheasants and grouse better than pointers), can work on ducks if the weather isn't too cold, and do well on quail when in heavy cover. What can be said of springers can be said of cockers from working lines. Whatever dog you decide on (I have an esoteric German breed, a Deutsches Jagdterrier), it will come down to which will thrill you. If I had to choose a retriever, it would be a Ches, a spaniel, English cocker (this is where you find the working lines), long tailed pointer, red setter, short tailed, toss up between a wirehaired pointing griffon or a pudelpointer. I like all of these breeds but have settled on a terrier. 20 lbs of training nightmare. To each his own poison.

Dr Fatguy

RE: What kind of dog?
 

I have never had a problem with my GSP getting cold while hunting; I have hunted some pretty cold days in Iowa. Now in the back of a truck going down the highway without an enclosed dog box, yeah she freezes her little docked tail off!

I am not sure what your evidence is for such a statement other than your personal opinion.

I have a GSP. She is a fine hunting companion and a good house dog. Oh they are a bit more hyper than some breeds but about par for hunting breeds IMO. I don't hunt duck or geese and if I did I would consider a German wirehaired pointer, Pudlepointer, or some other long or wirehaired type pointing breed. For me it doesn't get any better in the field then seeing a dog on point. I have buddies with labs and they find birds and are great retrievers, just not my cup of tea.

As far as Pointing Labs go I have seen a few and hunted with them yet have never seen one point. Even if they did I don't think is would do much for me, I like labs they are great dogs but they are just not a graceful pointer.

RE: What kind of dog?
 

Then you haven't been around real ones. [:o]

Wayne saw my pooch point (solid and staunch just this morning).:)

RE: What kind of dog?
 

Dang it Doc....Sure wish I woulda gotten a pic of Casey pointing today....it was a totaly beautiful thing to witness...:)

RE: What kind of dog?
 

I wasn't trying to upset anyone I was just giving my opinion on the experience I have seen with different breeds. The pointer is always on the move when upland hunting so they stay warmer but in the duck blind sitting still they don't really have the coat to stay warm. As for pointing that is their specialty not retrieving that is where FF came into play there are some in that breed that do have the natural retrieving so you don't have to do that unless you want to. Out of all the pointers I believe the GSP is the most versital. Another friend runs springer uses her for goose and does a fine job. It doesn't matter on the hunting breed but each individual dog and what you want not what the other person wants. My dogs never ride in an open bed they are always in a Dog crate even if I'm going around the block for safety, keeps them out of direct sun, rain or snow so they don't get to hot or cold and I don't have keep looking over my shoulder to see if they are still there. I love seeing good dogs work and don't care on their breed just watching them work and do what they love to do is just fascinating and I don't ever get tired of watching them work.

RE: What kind of dog?
 

I didn't say the don't point, only that I have never seen it.
And from what I understand the guy purchased his breeding pair for like $900 each from proven pointing lab parents I am sure they are real pointing labs, they just don't do anything for me. To each his own. If you want a pointing lab, get one, get whatever makes you happy.

I agree with that, however if one duck hunted in the souther part of the county perhaps not as much of an issue.

Again I agree. But then You knew I would.

Yes, and I ussually use a dog crate, However the one I have right now is a plastic type walmart speacial and it lets the wind wip right through the box. I need to either get a cover for the one I have or make one out of some plywood. I would love to have a Dimond plated aluminum one but that is not quite in the cards :(

Amen!