Home Forums Birds & Dogs Hunting Dogs Which breed?

The wife and I are wanting to get another dog instead of having a kid right now. I'm trying to talk her into a dog I can use for hunting. I mostly interested in upland game, but there is a slight possibility of waterfowl. Is there a dog that is more suited to upland game, but can be also used as a decent waterfowler?? I was thinking Lab, but their the opposite.
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<br>Vizla? German Wirehair? Pudelpointer?

Pointer,
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<br>I have two Pudelpointers and love them! I can hunt in nasty weather, or good weather. Rough cover or open cover. Land or water they do it all. Their points are intense and revtrieve with a happy expression. They are good with my kids and are not quarlesome at all.
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<br>Are they the best breed? I think each dog is different and cannot class a breed as the "best". But They suit me an my style of hunting.
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<br>Mark.

My Brittany Spaniel was a good quail hunter and a fair duck reteriver. It does not get real cold here so I never worried about that. She never hesitated to go into the water to reterive. I used her once to locate a friends cripple wild turkey. She pointed it in a plum thicket. It was in there dead but she wanted nothing to do with retreving a bird as big as she was. She never did work out as a dove reteriver. She did not understand that quail were not in season yet and she wanted to go looking for them insted of sitting and waiting for me to drop another dove. She would stay in place well while duck hunting but not for long in the dove fields. I alwasy thought the water was the difference.

I got my GSP second hand from the pound about 3 years ago. He tips the scales at a lean, mean 50lbs. This dog is the most tireless hunter I, or anyone I hunt with, has ever seen! His nose is second to none and he holds a point like a stone! But a pleasant, affectionate nature is what sets him apart from all others. I've always found it interesting that he does not bark. Ever. This dog has made such an impression on those I associate with that many have bought short hair pups since. And I might add, I enjoy this dog so much that I will never be without one (or two).

Hunting dogs of all breeds, make excellent family dogs every time.

I would say that a Lab would be the ticket if you could find one like mine. He will point quail and retrieve ducks I don't think it can get much better than that. Besides he is my best hunting buddy (When he holds down the smart a__ Looks, when I miss)

Pointer, if you haven't picked-up a dog yet, you might check-out the Pudlepointer. They are a great versatile dog. If you chukar hunt in tough country in Utah like I hunt in Nevada, a lab just won't cut it. You'll wear his feet right off. Check-out Cedarwoods Kennels owned by Bob Farris in Merridian, Id. Great dogs, and he only breeds NAVHDA qualified dogs.

I will say get a German Wire Hair Pointer, great upland dogs, and they will get in the water after the ducks better than most of the other pointing breeds! great family dogs also I have 3 little girls who love OUR dog and she inturn tolerates there mother hen act very patient and loves the family!

Get a Lab. There are more AKC registered Labs than all the other breeds combined. There is a reason for that. Best dog in the world.

I don't know that that is the best reason to buy a Lab? I grew up with labs we never realy hunted them great dogs but being the most popular they have suffered the consequences as most of those registered labs don't Hunt!

I didn't say THAT was the reason. I said there is a reason for THAT. There are many fine dogs of every breed, but there are more fine Labs than any other. (IMO) Your chances of winding up with a good dog are better with a Lab. That's why they are most popular. Labs are just exceptional at everything you want a dog for. I agree, if you want a hunter, don't buy a show bread dog, get one with field trial blood lines. In fact I'd say go with the field trial line even if you don't want a hunter. Unless you're going to keep it in a pen and only take it out to hunt, (I wouldn't wish that on a dog) you will be spending a lot of time with it other than hunting. Get a dog you can live with, as well as hunt with. I just think Labs fill the bill better than any other. Best dog in the world. (IMO)

I agree a Lab is a great dog but please re-read the original post. You should note the poster is from Utah and he is mostly interested in upland game. Hunting upland game in Utah is hot, dry, and very rugged. Large black flushing dogs are not the best choice for this type of hunting. A light bodied, long legged, pointing dog is a superior choice for upland bird hunting.

I hunt upland game with a GWP and she is far superior to the black labs we have hunted upland game with. Labs work great on our pheasants and my hunting partner gets an equal number of birds but I strongly prefer hunting over a pointing dog.

BTW, please note the original poster's handle is "Pointer" and the post was made back in November of last year. Want to bet which type of dog he purchaced?

You're proubably right. Bet he picked a pointer. Never the less, he says he would be hunting waterfowl too. Also, it get's hot here in Calif. too, and my black dog does just fine on pheasants. Labs also come in blond. I wouldn't trade my Lab for a truck load of pointers. Then again, sounds like you wouldn't trade either.

By the way, my Lab points. Thought the whole thing up herself. Never was trained to do it. Maby she's tired of me missing, and does it to let me get a little closer.

Pointer, did you find a dog? If so, got any puppy pictures?

It is my belief that labs are the best allaround gun dogs! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
My brother and I have used them for muskrat, beaver, partridge , bringing bears to bay, finding arrows, you name it!
I don't own one anymore, but my brother lives on a trapline, and old Jasper, his black, is getting arthritic in his old age, so stays inside a lot. He just picked up a yellow that spent his first 20 months of his life in town, and just loves the outdoors. Shows lots of promise, too, should be a winner! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Catnthehat

Well, for the record, I must go along with waldog-- I have 3 German Shorthaired pointers, I cannot say enough good things about them. Also, they are SUPER with children, the wife will want to know about that. You can get a book at any GOOD pet store about them. Good luck! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

No dog yet, but I'm leaning toward either a German Wirehair or a Puddlepointer. I kinda dig their look. Thanks for all the advice fellas.