Best Dog For Pheasants

[Mayfly]

Well i'm sure you have seen this debate before many many times. It really goes nowhere as everyone has their own opinion and no dog is a bad dog as long as it is doing its job...right?

So rather than debate what is better....what kind of dog do you use and why?

Anyone??

[Spinach]

Since you asked the question..... I'd take a good pointer over any lab or retriever anyday. Theirs nothing better in life than watching your dog on point. (almost nothing)

I hunt behind a 6 1/2 year old Weimaraner.

[JeffyO45]

For just pure bird finding abilities and beauty to hunt over it is tough to argue with a pointer or setter.

If you want a good all around dog (sniffing out birds, finding downed birds and retrieving) I will take a well trained lab every day of the week.

I know there are pointing breeds that track and retrieve pretty well but labs don't have the word retriever in their breed name for nothing.

Everyone has their preferences for type of dog right on down to breed preference.  But I think everyone will agree that it is just better to hunt behind a dog period.

[Birddog]

One of the reasons I like pointers is. The ability to set up a safe shot for the youngsters. I am not saying its the only safe way but you get the drift.

[Joe]

I was dogless the first pheasant hunt get together I went to. I got to hunt with Scott(pheasant maniac) and Brian(BDR) and when I saw both thier dogs point the same bird I knew I wanted a pointer. I actually ended up buying my pup from Justin(setterguy) who I met at the same outing. I honestly can't put my finger on it, but I love seeing my dog on point.


10 months old

[Benny]

Well I am a lab owner my self so I an partial to them.

BUT, I would settle for any dog that can find me birds regaurdless of bread.

I hunted behind a good number of defferent breads and not one couldn't locate a bird or two.

In windy conditions I like Pointers, in most other situations I prefer a flusher because in my book it presents a better chalenge to hit a flushing bird at 25 yards vs one who flushed at your feet.

That's why I chose my lab other than the waterfowling I do.

Benny

[Mayfly]

In windy conditions I would rather have a flusher.... A pointer may never lock that bird down..


Besides that I would only like to hunt Pheasants over a pointer but we'll see what we get this year...

[shakey legs 2]

I have hunted with pointers and flushers and all breeds have their good points.  I have owned Springers for 30 years and obviously partial to them.  If you want an all around dog for ducks and pheasants a lab or a golden retriever would be hard to beat.  If you hunt pheasants and grouse than a pointing breed might be more up your alley.  I hunt pheasants exclusively and wild pheasants that run can be tough on a pointer (they are not like pen raised birds that hold after being dizzied).  It is pretty hard to beat a springer if you hunt just pheasants like I do.

[get the net]

I have a pointing lab, and I have read all the debates on the subject of can a lab really point or should they point - blah blah blah!? I would like to hunt over a pointer until the cats freeze over and then it is big blockheaded lab time, bull dozing through, cattail fuzz flying, roosters getting rooted out of the thick stuff.? Nothing better in December.

[jigglestick]

I agree G T N, frozen water in the cats when everybody (except mayfly) has put their shotguns away can be the best time of the year for picking off those elusive roosters.
you cant be afraid to break through once in a while and if nessecary get wet up to your junk for a downed bird. outside of all that you will be greatly rewarded for your efforts in seemingly overly pressured areas.
a good lab or chesapeake would be my weapon of choice at that time.
nothing like the first time your pointer locks rock solid tight though. SHA-WING!!

[GRIZ]

The dog I hunt behind is a lab cross. She is awsomb. She will flush or point, when she points she is pointing because she see's the bird. If the bird moves she will try to catch it which she sometimes does. If the cattails are too thick for me to go in all I do is say something and she flushes them. In 3 seasons she has retrieved everyone and has nearly 300 to her credit. She will be turning 4 yrs in december I think.