what do you guys think?

W

Wheeler6

New member
I have been told a lot of different things about pointers, setters, and spaniels, but I am trying to get the truth. I know a GSP will also duck hunt but what about these others. Im looking for an all around bird dog upland and water. what are yalls thoughts?
 
I don't know that a pointer or setter would make a good dog for the duck blind there may be a few exceptions but probably not many. My choice would be a spaniel if you won't be hunting extremely cold weather/ water for ducks. Then there are always labs and versatile breeds that will work well also. Good luck I'm sure you'll get a lot of advice and opinions here.
 
Than this may be the breed for you. I did about 2 years of reading about hunting dogs because mine was getting some age on her . Just take a little time and read about them. And the breed is Deutscher Wachtelhunds .I have one and she 6 months old . She's hand delievers land and water . Her noise is very strong on finding lost birds. Super good swimmer . Not a big dog and very easy to train . Its all in the breeding. They also are great house dogs and wanna be part of the family. Good luck
 
Well I have owned and watched literally hundreds of pointers and setters in the field, most retrieve reluctantly, a few retrieve from land and water enthusiastically, and a good percentage don't really retrieve at all, but will hunt dead....you pick it up yourself, unless wounded. They are focused on finding birds and presenting game for a shot. Your going to be happier with a spaniel or continental dog. Be advised that with the continental european breeds there is a strong influence of gaminess, and most really like fur, rabbits, deer, cats, you may find this disconcerting or not depending on your patience and disposition. Generally this is not an issue with the english bred dogs, retrievers, springers, and cockers.
 
Hypothermia

Short haired and lighter haired dogs like pointers, weims, setters, and Britts, aren't equipped with the type of coat necessary for cold waterfowl hunting. Retrievers are ideal with their special coats. Hypothermia could kill a non-retriever breed in cold water fowl hunting.
 
me personally if you want to upland hunt you get an ep, gsp, eng setter, brittany personal top 4 you want to waterfowl hunt blck lab, chesapeak, some type of lab if you could only hav one dog i guess it would hav to b a lab but as much as i like to hunt behind a some type of pointer it would be very frustating to me to be in the field and not to see a pointing dog work.
 
If you are looking for a dog for upland birds, there is no doubt in my mind and experience, that pointers and setters are the best choice.

But when you bring in the waterfowl, pointers and setters are not bred for that.
 
I'm pretty much just reiterating what everyone else has said here - most pointers don't have the coat necessary to hunt for hours sitting still in a blind and be asked to retrieve in freezing waters.

I think German Wirehaired Pointers are bred with an undercoat for such a purpose though, if a pointer is what you really want. Don't be discouraged if the dog isn't a fetching machine like a lab though. Apples and Oranges.
 
I'm a diehard GSP man because I hunt primary upland game, but on occassion I do alot of waterfowl hunting. I do not do the extreme cold weather waterfowl hunting as I live in the southern plains.

Take a look at the Deutsch-Drahthaar breed. I have hunted with several of these impressive dogs. I have even sponsored several DD trials and have become attracted by the true versitility of this breed.
 
you will always compromise, to some degree, when you get a "jack of all trades".......GWP, DD and Pudelpointers come to mind....good luck, do a lot of investigation and take your time in making a selection.
 
oldandnew said:
Well I have owned and watched literally hundreds of pointers and setters in the field, most retrieve reluctantly, a few retrieve from land and water enthusiastically, and a good percentage don't really retrieve at all, but will hunt dead....you pick it up yourself, unless wounded. They are focused on finding birds and presenting game for a shot. Your going to be happier with a spaniel or continental dog. Be advised that with the continental european breeds there is a strong influence of gaminess, and most really like fur, rabbits, deer, cats, you may find this disconcerting or not depending on your patience and disposition. Generally this is not an issue with the english bred dogs, retrievers, springers, and cockers.
Click to expand...
oldandnew This "sharpness" for fur is one of the reasons I went to the Wesslpointer be sure to click on the new book. www.wesslpointer.com I think they have the traits that the American BIRD hunter wants.
 
How many refrences do you want that my dogs, and there offspring make great waterfowl dogs as well.?:thumbsup: One is on here and doing it in Arkansaws mostly on ducks. Springers are great duck dogs...... A big Canadian will cause some trouble to a smaller one. But most of that for us was always pass and field hunting and we just walk over and pick the dang thing up any way. Never even used our Labs much for them.
 
FCspriner- probably you might have the finest combination of upland and duck dog-

someone is fishing- hopes to land the big one- by chance
 
Figure-out your passion, obtain a good dog that excels in pursuing that primary passion, then go forth and join in partnership with the dog of your choosing. No one breed does all things well, but ALL breeds do one thing well: It's called "Unconditional Love" and it IS a treasure. Dogs (unlike people) are wonderful . . . they want nothing more than to please, they dote on attention, they always forgive transgressions, and they always love. WE are the the "weak link." I have my first pointer . . . at four-months, he's much better than I am at 63-years. Buy one, love him/her, train patiently, love always, enjoy the "puppy-kisses," and revel in the years to come for these pass all-too-soon. A dog's only fault, really, is that they depart all-too-soon. Best wishes re: your selection & God Bless, my Friend.
 
Same thoughts as the others. Personally, I have a lab due to the fact I do more waterfowling than upland. It's funny because when I had her trained, the trainer told me she was going to be much better at upland (I assume due to her drive / lack of patience). She started pointing pheasants the second year I had her out there so I get the best of both worlds. I grew up hunting over spaniels which are a very versatile dog also.
 
Wheeler6 said:
I have been told a lot of different things about pointers, setters, and spaniels, but I am trying to get the truth. I know a GSP will also duck hunt but what about these others. Im looking for an all around bird dog upland and water. what are yalls thoughts?
Click to expand...

Just another thought and some may question their actual pointing abilites, but what about Pointing labs?

I don't have any personal experience per say, but have read a bit about them. They may or may not have the stylish pointing ability of a setter or GSP, however it may be just the ticket as they will still have the strong instinct to retrieve and be able to handle cold water.
 
I would say for the all around dog you wont go wrong with the GSP. Take it the waters not to cold. :eek:. But like stated before there are many dogs that could fit your needs.
Good luck.:cheers:
 
I think that the closest thing to the "truth" is that you need to evaluate what you do as far as hunting, are you a 50/50 guy, upland mostly waterfowl a little or the opposite. Then you need to pick a breed that you like that will do what you want.....then and most importantly you find a Breeder that specializes in breeding the type of dog that you want.....
If your wanting a pointing type breed to hunt both upland and waterfowl then i would look at versatile type breeds first, Pudelpointers,German wirehairs,Drahthaars,wirehaired pointing griffons would be at the top of my list. A properly bred dog from one of the above breeds should have no problem both upland and waterfowl hunting.
Now nothing handles super cold ice breaking waterfowling like a lab or chessie....and nothing handles warmer weather hard charging upland like a EP. But a versatile will handle anything in between and handle it well.
 
My GSP will retrieve anything on land or water, no matter the temp but he does get cold in the blind. I used him alot jump shooting ducks in temps around 5 degrees with high winds and as long as hes moving he loves it. this year i will refrain from hunting in exstreme cold in a blind as he will hunt till he cant walk anymore, if i do as much waterfowl this year as last i will get a Chessie
 
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