I am beginning to consider another dog after loosing my lab Katie 5 years ago. I am now retired in my early 60's so this will be my final dog. I've trained all 5 of my dogs, GSP and Labs and each one holds a spot in my heart, but way too much vacuuming to keep the hair cleaned up. 90%+ will be upland bird hunting.

The requirements below are in order of importance.

1 - low to very low shedding (my wife has put up with me for 40+ years and she is a keeper)
2 - mild mannered in the house
3 - good with grandchildren (I know this is exposure to them early on)
4 - a solid companion (my buddy)
5 - good hunting drive

I've had some bad luck buying from kennels in the past (dogs were too high strung) and very good luck getting dogs from small breeders if that matters.

I'd appreciate your thoughts and input. Thank you in advance.

Evnin!!! Wire hair pointer, ya won't be sorry!!! Ya I know Griffin, drahthaar, blah blah blah. Merry Christmas. Bill out. 🐾👣🐾👣🇨🇦

Drahts are huge shedders and can get a bit much in the house if not worked a lot. I'd go griff or whatever worked for you in the past.

How about a field bred standard poodle? They're out there and can be fine dogs.

I was doing a similar search 6 years ago and ended up with a pudelpointer. Only disappointment in the breed for me is the amount of shedding. Not as much as other breeds we've had in the house, but quite a bit more than I was led to believe they did. When I asked the breeder about this (as well as coat conformation) he said that's the last thing the Breeder's Association is worried about.

WPG!

They shed, but nothing like a lab. They do however need more coat maintenance than a lab.

I am not sure what you are looking for exists. At your age (no disrespect as I am in my early 60's) I would say the shedding concern should be at the bottom of your list.

I have had Brittanies, GSP's, and now a Weimer. The sporting breeds all gotta have an outlet for their need to exercise and "work".

There is one breed I have thought will be my last .... Braque de Bourbonnais ... hunted around a couple of 'em years ago and the owners all say they were the best for being low maintenance (maintenance being needing to get out for substantial exercise every day). Problem is that the few breeders there used to be in the U.S. have retired their kennels.

Another vote for a griff. Lower shedding, very personable, safe around children, mine have had very good prey drive but I feel it is something you should help bring out in a dog at a young age.

. Find a reputable breeder

Pudelpointer. Has the combination of qualities that you seek. I've had two, wish my current Drahthaar was a PP.

tough to beat a Labrador from a good Lab. breeder

I love my DD, but when I'm 60 I'm getting one of these: https://www.spinoneclubofamerica.com

Just get a GSP and then play dumb. . . . "But dear, I didn't know they shed like that"

AWS, Boyken, IWS and GWH, I never noticed my GWH shedding much, a better companion would be hard to find.. Watch out for AWS's mine would steal the covers off the bunk (while I was sleeping) in the camper to make a nest for herself, she was so stealthy that I wouldn't wake up until I got cold.

Mellow in the house.


He did enjoy days off

I have a smoothcoat Pudelpointer. It fits every one of your requirements, especially the shedding, or lack thereof.

Will a good lab shed less than all the other labs?

A good lab will make you notice it less than a bad lab...

Bad lab becomes "This place is covered in hair from that no good lab that won't retrieve a duck in bath water..."

Gorgeous dog. I've never heard of the breed before, my experience was all with yellow labs and GSPs. Pudelpointer specialize in any one thing? Pheasants, grouse, woodcock, ducks etc?

They are a very versatile dog. Love the water, will retrieve as well as pointing. Many use them for pheasant. I use mine for grouse and woodcock.

Most have a wire hair coat but some like mine will have a smooth coat. He is a very clean dog. 8 yrs old and I've never brushed him. I don't waterfowl so the coat is of no consequence. The longer coats are better for later season duck hunting.

Upland hunting can mean different things. Decide if you want a pointer or a flusher. Get a Springer or a Brittany….., or maybe a Lab or Shorthair. Get the one you’d like the best. Love the dog and forgive a little shedding. Keep the vacuum handy and use it often and your wife will be ok. Early 60’s? Shucks, you’ve got a couple more dogs in the future. Enjoy.

Our family had labs and German Shepherds. The shedding was 2nd to none with those 2 breeds and I was quite used to it, but once I got the PP and the shedding was nearly eliminated, I decided I'd never go back.

Old school has it nailed

Braque de Bourbonnais I have one he is now 12 been a dam good dog hunted like a fool but the best thing is a on off switch like no other dog.
If you read up on them they are famous for running around outside like crazy bring them in the house right to bed.
Crazy.

I got mine from Cactus Kennel in Arizona not sure Larry and Mary are still in business but is they are they are super nice people and very helpful. Here is a pic of Tazz my mut years ago from there website.

https://www.cactuscountrykennels.co...sk=viewimage&img_id=350&Itemid=7
.
Hope you find the right buddy he loves kids and was super easy to train.

Was always curious about these, too: https://www.thebraccoclub.org

That was basically what I was going to say.

40+ years was a good run.

Grab a new shorthair and a younger wife if she doesn't like it...

I can't believe nobody mentioned a Vizsla! Very little shedding, glued to your side companion, and great pointers.

I had the same criteria and went with a pudelpointer a year ago. She's been amazing. She's smart and has strong prey drive - phez, chukars, and waterfowl. She is super sweet and great in the house. She has a medium wiry coat and doesn't shed. I've heard smooth coats shed the most, but a poster here said his doesn't and I believe him. I would avoid a woolly or fleece coat. They soak up water whereas the other coats don't. The one thing to know is her fur does collect burrs. Depending on where we hunt, I do spend some time afterwards removing them. Fortunately, she helps pull them.

X2 on Vizsla. Much better in the house than a GSP. High octane while hunting. Perfect mix, unless of course you don't like a shadow following you around at home LOL

A dog with a low shedding, tough coat, that doesn’t collect burs and is low maintenance is a freaking chupacabra.


Not sure they exist.


Find a good breeder with dogs you like, regardless of breed.

Been considering a pudelpointer or small Munsterlander for my next pup.
Anyone had both that could give a comparison?

I'm leaning with Old School. You've lived with labs your whole hunting life. Not putting other breeds down, but the most predictable personality that will come close to matching what you REALLY want will be where your heart lies and that's with all those labs that were your hunting buddy, your pal, and besides your beautiful wife, the most honest love you'll ever find.

Find a hunting buddy with a dog. I have a son with a pretty good little Boykin. She doesn’t shed a bit, in my house.

velcro dogs. loved mine

Boykin Spaniel....just like your shadow they can literally read your mind.

They do shed but they have a different type hair than a Lab and it blows itself into little piles.

A Boykin will make as good a companion as it will a hunter.

Just got a puddle pointer pup 2 weeks ago from a great breeder, no association with them btw. She already retrieves ok, likes water and has a natural pointing instinct.

Will be a great hunter and family dog.

Pm me if u want to talk,

I have a friend who is set on a large Munsterlander (about lab sized) and I have to admit the more I read about them they may be my next dog. Most kennels are in the Midwest and they won't sell to non-hunters so the lines should be decent.

Lab + islands wilmington nc monkey junction.

Done.

^^ Why bother? ^^

We had labs before and I like them, but I've never had to brush my 8yr old smoothcoat PP yet. Not once! No shedding. Awesome dogs. Win/Win.

Loving my 11 week old pudelpointer, she has great pointing and retrieving instincts. No shedding.

I’m a GSP fan but they still shed, the hair is just shorter. I’ll forewarn you that they are a handful in the house for the first few years.

You just named everything I like about my Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Rosie. She doesn't shed, is bird crazy, loves people and especially immediate family, sheds burs well, and is virtually no-maintenance. Clip her nails, clean her ears, give her an occasional bath, and feed her.

Two of the bestest dogs.