GSP, Lab, I Don't Know

Crossing shot said:
How about a hybrid?

http://www.hybridretrievers.com
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Starting a new breed is a serious undertaking to say the least. Keep in mind that some if not many of theses pups will not have the desired traits. The breeder will likely have to cull the "undesirables". I never could stomach euthanasiing puppies just to make a buck. Labradoodles, Goldendoodles, etc. are simply mutts.
As an owner of a healthy, well bred, and "proven" Labradors I would never consider cross breeding as the health risks, and devaluation of my dog would be foolish! I'm sure serious GSP trainer/breeders feel the same way. My guess this is a money grab and nothing more. The Humane society has some pups needing adoption that are every bit as likely to be good hunters
 
You gentlemen have been very polite in expressing your disagreement with the concept embodied in the posted link.

Thank you, very much.:thumbsup:

We all have differing opinions, in great or small ways, about approaching virtually every aspect of hunting.

In my long and sinful life, I've never happened upon the occasion of an angry or insulting post changing some one's mind. It's with this in mind, I express my gratitude for the forbearance of the members of the Forum.

I truly appreciate it.
 
To respond to the original post I will give a plus one to pointing labs. I've grown up with three of them and now own a four year old of my own. Also have hunted over several others. All I've ever hunted is wild birds here in SD and can say they do phenomenal on the track star roosters we have here. I can't say much about GSP's as I've only been on a handful of hunts with a friend who has one.
 
I'm not sure from your post above it is now a done deal or not. Sure is going to be hard to give up on a cute face like that now that you've met her!

But I'm a lab guy. Never owned a pointer, and never hunted over one except on YouTube! Lol The post above about the guys hustling to keep up and saying 'watch her, she's birdy' is definitely accurate to my experience hunting over flushing labs, I personally love it due to the pace, the excitement, the exertion etc... But if you like the sound of the more sedate and controlled pace of what the poster described about seeing his dog point, walking over, and flushing the bird himself, then maybe go with that.

Since I stated that I've never hunted over a pointer, I'm obviously not in a position to comment on which is better for pheasant or waterfowl - I would just be giving you a long list of why labs are so goddam great. And you know that already!

But one thing you didn't really touch on that much is what's important to you about your dog outside of the field. Again, I'm not for a moment suggesting that GSP are not fine pets, good around kids, easy to train etc etc... But you should think about what else you want from the dog other than flushing and retrieving various kinds of birds, and how each of the breeds suits or does not suit those criteria too. Cuz you know it - if Momma ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy!

Lastly, and it's already been said, a cheap purebred dog is likely to become the most expensive dog you ever had. I see you posted the pedigree and others posted that it looks promising, so that's good. But of course have to be so careful with hips, elbows, eyes, allergies etc.... Just reiterating that you want to triple check that all those i's are dotted and t's are crossed.

Let us know what you end up with.
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But if it's not a lab, you're crazy. LOL

Good luck!

Dave
 
Ive duck hunted with some pretty good labs. Hand signal trained on land and in the water. But any time Ive been upland hunting the labs are what they are. Retrievers and damn good ones. My setter and vizsla usually found the birds. Then you had to get there quick before the lab bumped em. It was a pointing lab but didnt point very well. They did retrieve some dead ones. When my young vizsla didnt beat em to the punch. In the labs defense, they were outta shape. Dont think the owner was used to exercising his dogs like I do. They didnt last all day and didnt last but about 2 hours the next day. But they can sit in a duck blind all day! I think upland dogs are smaller for a reason. U get a dog approaching or going over 100 pounds, I think it affects their stamina. Again, my opinion.
 
PheasantWhisperer said:
Ive duck hunted with some pretty good labs. Hand signal trained on land and in the water. But any time Ive been upland hunting the labs are what they are. Retrievers and damn good ones. My setter and vizsla usually found the birds. Then you had to get there quick before the lab bumped em. It was a pointing lab but didnt point very well. They did retrieve some dead ones. When my young vizsla didnt beat em to the punch. In the labs defense, they were outta shape. Dont think the owner was used to exercising his dogs like I do. They didnt last all day and didnt last but about 2 hours the next day. But they can sit in a duck blind all day! I think upland dogs are smaller for a reason. U get a dog approaching or going over 100 pounds, I think it affects their stamina. Again, my opinion.
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Your experience with labs is what most have experienced.......you should try hunting with a good one it has changed many a persons mind. I have never hunted with David ( have tried a couple times and it hasn't worked out) or Gatzby but I envision there is a couple of decent ones in that bunch. As with any breed if the dog is not well bred, or conditioned, it will show in the field. I have a Male Lab that is about 70lbs that has a superior drive and will run as hard at 4:30 pm as he does at 10am. There are a few I have hunted with on here that have similar animals. The best we can do is some research and try to make an educated purchase and even then it is still left to chance. ...As to mix breeding, yea no thanks. There are enough poorly bred Lab's out there now.
 
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If you've hunted over both and enjoy both then start getting more in depth researching sires and dams, because that's what they turn out like.

What kind of waterfowling are you talking about? Because late season, breaking ice could mean a lab is for you.
 
Im not a waterfowler. Only go when invited. Or when they want me to draw in. There is a group of duck hunter guys that call me lucky. Ive never been turned away in a poor man draw in line at the conservation places. When I go they make me pull the pills and we always go huntin. All I bring is gun. They have everything else. Last time I went I pulled 4 pills. 2, 4, 7 and 8. Out of 150! They are younger guys and they call me about 3 times a week. I go about 3 times per year.
 
And I really like seeing the dogs on point. Docked tails, long tails, pointing to the sky! Nothing like it.
 
So have you reached a verdict yet?? It will be pretty obvious where my sentiments lie since my "Pair-of-Labs" currently numbers #6 and #7, all yellow males. That said, I'll second what Crockett pointed out---keep in mind the 350 or so days of the year that you are not hunting and think about how your choice will match up with that. Or, you could always get one of each breed--you just would not have a matched pair like me.
Tom
 
I'll throw in another vote for the pointing Lab. My cousin suggested getting one to me years ago, and I've never looked back. I've had three so far, and currently live with two of them. Personally, I just love the Lab temperment and goofy personality. Here's Diesel, the yellow male, and Dozer, the black male. The chocolate male is Buck, who belongs to a friend of mine.

 
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