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!

RE: What kind of dog?
 

I'd say it would be the GWP

RE: What kind of dog?
 

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

RE: What kind of dog?
 

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

RE: What kind of dog?
 

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.

RE: What kind of dog?
 

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

RE: What kind of dog?
 

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.

RE: What kind of dog?
 

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

RE: What kind of dog?
 

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

RE: What kind of dog?
 

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).

RE: What kind of dog?
 

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

RE: What kind of dog?
 

Versdog,
I think we are saying the same thing except you went the pointer route and I went the flusher route. I had English pointers and red setters which would cover ground (I also used them in Shooting dog stakes with FDSB) and when hunting chukar, it was easier to keep track of them in a truck than on foot. I now hunt in the UP of Mi and the cover is tight. One tracks the bird by sound. This is why I said to check out the manner in which the different breeds hunt. One never knows what'll blow their dress up. I hunt with a terrier. Never thought I would use a terrier as a primary upland and waterfowl dog. Amazing what German testing can do, isn't it.

Dr Fatguy

RE: What kind of dog?
 

Yes DR I think we are saying the same but we have each chose different roads. The thing I am impressed with is if you use the german testing system it is developed to make the hunting dog breeds better by the breeders having the dogs judged by a standard which is soley developed for the foot hunter.

PSE
You have to let us know what you get or want to get.

RE: What kind of dog?
 

PSE,
Didn't you post about a whippet? How is the whippet working out? I have shot pheasants and grouse over a whippet and had a great time. I even taught a retired racer to retrieve. These sight hounds can see farther than any bird dog so mark well. They just can't handle cold water. Let us know what type of bird dog you end up with. Take the whippet out when you work the other dog. You can teach a whippet to course pheasant by letting the dog chase the bird in the air. if the bird flushes and can't stay airborn the dog will get it.

Dr Fatguy

RE: What kind of dog?
 

For birds, I like Short Hair. Brittanies are excellent also, but more
maintenance than Spanish Short Hair or German Short Hair.

RE: What kind of dog?
 

For Bear I like Plot Hounds.

RE: What kind of dog?
 

For Hogs I like Catahoula .

RE: What kind of dog?
 

For Deer I like Red Bone Hounds,

RE: What kind of dog?
 

For Coons I like Bluetick Hounds,

RE: What kind of dog?
 

For Ducks, I like Golden Retrivers,

RE: What kind of dog?
 

For Rabbits I like Beagles,

RE: What kind of dog?
 

On the farm I have English Sheps, to round up some sheep and cattle.
Over the last 50yrs I've had all the above and hunted with them.
About 6yrs ago I sold the 6 Catahoula crossed Hog dogs.
For the last 6yrs I have been hunting Deer from stand.
Just could'nt keep-up with the dogs anymore.
In 1968, I went to Franklin NC to meet Mr.Plott and bought two
pups from him. He was the originator of the Breed.
The Catahoulas pups I ordered from a breeder in Arkansas.
The RedBone and BlueTick pups I bought in Cross City,Fla..
The Golden Retriver pup was given to me buy a hunting friend.
The English Shep pups I bought in Plant City,Fla..
The Beagle pup I bought in Wesley Chapel,Fla. for my Son,
when he was old enough to hunt {12yrs old} and bought him a
Win 1300 20ga.and started him on Rabbits.

RE: What kind of dog?
 

i use a lab
we dont do much phesant and stuff though but shes got a good nose