GSP ratio is something

daniel77

daniel77

New member
I considered getting a GSP as my next dog. They make a lot of sense for me, because I mostly duck/goose, and dove hunt. I must admit that the main reason I didn't choose to go with a GSP is my obnoxious, moron of a neighbor already has one, and if I also got one there would be no end to his bothering me. Just curious as to the rest of you and your thoughts on the breed, because it seems that 80% of the dogs on this and other forums are GSP's. I can remember when they weren't so common. Now there seems to be nothing but. Thoughts?
 
It isn't what you asked but if you mainly hunt waterfowl & dove my first thought was retriever.

Not going to do the obvious and suggest a lab or chessie either. It looks like you live in Louisiana and I'd sure hate to be a lab or chessie suffering through the long humid summer months.

How about a Boykin Spaniel? They were bred in the south and developed as pure retreivers. Small compact dogs but from what I have seen are capable of making all the retreives. If you do hunt a little upland they can be easily be trained as a flusher just like a lab.

My $.02 FWIW.
 
GSPs are great hunting dogs and super family dogs. Screw your neighbor. Get the breed you want. If you primarily want a working dog I would also recommend an English Pointer. I know of a fresh litter of EPs in Laff-I-Et if you are interested. Send me a PM and I will pass on the contact information.

My vote though is for the GSP. Neighbors move away or die eventually.
 
I've actually had a deposit on the first male English Setter from a litter that was whelped a few days ago, but thanks. This pup will be my first pointing dog. I'm also supposed to have a pup reserved from a future lab litter from my duck hunting buddy. I used to have a damn good female British type lab and am very comfortable with them. I am just curious as to how/why the GSP's have become so popular. The only one I've actually hunted over is my neighbors, and I don't fault the breed for that experience. That dog is like a scud missile. No control whatsoever. I do admire and appreciate versatile dogs, and in fact would have no use for a dog that thought it's work was done at the flush.
 
English Pointer not English Setter.

Anyway it sounds like your neighbor's GSP has not been properly educated as to what his job in the field actually is. Some people think dogs just "know" what to do and think the result is just fine.

Do not judge all GSPs by that dog unless you are not planning to invest in the training (time & money) to get it field ready.

Here is further proof of why GSPs are special:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100114/ap_on_fe_st/us_odd_hero_dog
 
Thanks for your offer and info. I understand about the EP. I meant that for a month or so now, I've already had a deposit on an ES litter. Please don't take me to mean that I have anything against GSP's because of my neighbor. On the contrary, I'm a professional horse trainer and I fully know that my neighbor is clueless and thus his dog is no ill reflection on the breed. I'm simply saying that the GSP's seem to be dominating the bird dog world these days, the way labs dominate the retriever world, and are they really that good in general? I guess I'm saying, what's the huge draw to the GSP?
 
Danial77, If it was me I'd look into a Brittany. A Brittany pup started right can be an outstanding combo-dog. They have the coat for warmth and they also have the web feet to swim like a duck. Look into them that is my suggestion .......Bob
 
Brittany - good pick

Would agree with the Brittany pick, although I am a golden ret. owner - four of them in the past 40 years. However, the best upland dog I ever hunted with was a Brittany named Sam. Pointed, retrieved, and was a great all around dog...except the shedding white hair! He was stocky, build low to the ground and never gave up.

My Golden's have had equal noses, but not the intense hunting style of a Brittany. The Goldens have been better retrievers due to their size: taller and better equipped to handle tall grasses and cattails when retrieving.

Good luck with what ever you choose. Labs probably would be the choice for goose and duck work.
 
Sorry if my posts have been confusing. I'm not asking which breed ya'll think I should get. I've already got deposits on an ES and a lab. That decision is made and I'm confident I'll be happy with it. I've just noticed as I was doing research that about 9 of 10 bird dogs (non-retrievers) these days seem to be GSP's. I'm not knocking the breed at all. I'm just curious as to how or why they've become SOOOO popular. I have a fair bit of experience with labs and other breeds (cow dogs), but the pointing dogs are new to me. I was simply surprised to see so many GSP's advertised and it seems that most of the guys on forums have or have had several. I'm not being a smart a$$, just curious.
 
Because they are the shiznit and look COOL...:D Actually and IMHO and as most of you know, I mean 'humble'...the GSP's combine most of all the good qualities of all the aforementioned dogs. Overall they have a great combination of: sense of smell, sight, hearing, stamina, strength, and prey drive. A weak point for most GSP's...the long water retrieve. Not impossible for them but difficult.

DON"T yell at me; yes your dogs are great; notice I said combination and just a humble opinion.
 
JonnyB, you do not tell what state you live in. So I have to ask this question as you are old enough. The Brittany you hunted with; Could it have been "Guntrader Sam"? The AKC Champion? I hunted with him a few times what a dog.......Bob
 
JMc said:
Because they are the shiznit and look COOL...:D Actually and IMHO and as most of you know, I mean 'humble'...the GSP's combine most of all the good qualities of all the aforementioned dogs. Overall they have a great combination of: sense of smell, sight, hearing, stamina, strength, and prey drive. A weak point for most GSP's...the long water retrieve. Not impossible for them but difficult.

DON"T yell at me; yes your dogs are great; notice I said combination and just a humble opinion.
Click to expand...

X2. That's the honest answer you were looking for.

To add my own .02... Most people also seem to prefer to make their hunting dogs also house dogs. So for most of us, that means only one or two dogs, and dogs with short coats (less shedding and maintenance) are preferred.

Since you only have one dog, you need one that is capable of finding and retrieving anything with feathers. Waterfowl, upland birds, doves, whatever... Rather than getting a specialist for every hunting situation, they want/need 1 dog they can use for anything.

I think that's why you're seeing so many shorthairs, labs, and pointing labs.
1. Short coat makes it a good house dog.
2. Adequate for any bird.

Anybody can roast me if they want and say how their (whatever breed) is the most versatile hunter and best house dog, but I think those two facts explain the popularity of the breed. FWIW, I have a golden retriever and a GWP.:eek:
 
Minneapolis Hunter

Bob:

Sam was a dog given to a friend from the local Vet/Dr. Can't recall the circumstances as it was years ago - might have been a local liter that was for sale. This dog goes back to the early 70's.

I have a very aggressive Golden that I would match with any dog for: finding cripples, retrieving, nose sensitivity and of course they make a great pet. I hunt SD and have to contend with running roosters and hunt in the late fall when the birds have been shot at several times and are on the move as soon as the door closes. Am sure a Brit. would work, but may get lost in the high sorghum and weeds we hunt.

Jon
 
I think another factor in their (GSPs) popularity surge is the fact that a GSP won the Westminster show 4 or 5 years ago. Whenever chite like that happens they become the "soup de jour" for the non hunting public.

Used to be that you could take most any GSP pup and chances were pretty darned solid that he was going to be a hunter. I hope that doesn't change now that they have gained popularity with the show circuit.

IMHO, another reason for their popularity is the fact that they're relatively easy to train, very bidable, great with kids, and not too soft.
 
GSP all the way

Had a golden... great dog, flushing and retrieving... and a great house dog with the kids..

Opportunity for a young half trained GSP... Completed the training and she is everything the golden was and more.. the nose, the point and hold, the retrieve and the family pet.. all great... but the drive to hunt is out of this world. She is tough.. had a bad cut multiple times.. barbwire and such.. never slowed her down a bit. Vet commented that she was the toughest dog he had stapled together. She will even let me do stitches when necessary..

Don't hunt the ducks and geese like I used too, that is where the other breeds are better suited.

Goatman
 
I think the reason you are seeing a lot of GSP's these days is there is a readily available gene pool in which you can find whatever you want. You can find a foot hunting NAVHDA type dog that loves the water, or an All Age GSP that can keep up with EP's. Also the majority of GSP's come from hunting homes and generally are very biddable.
 
Alot of credit has to go to sound breeding practices over the years. While this breed has had a following in the show ring, those dogs have been in a large part hunted as well. Unlike some of the others, Setters being one, where there seems to be a distinct difference in the show and field lines, the GSP has had tremendous success in the Dual type (bench and field champions) category as well. The end result is a GSP that conforms to the breed standard and excels in the field.
 
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Good point birdshooter. I'm not that worried about show dog popularity as there are so many good dual dogs being bred. To the original question--it probably depends on the game as much as anything. GSP's tend to rule for pointing pheasant dog folks--not that other breeds can't get the job done, but the attributes of GSP's really set them up to shine on pheasants, IMO.
 
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