What dog to get?

[Outdoors Junkie]

My dad wants to get a good all around hunting dog.  My dad loves to duck hunt.  He also loves to pheasant hunt.  He will also go grouse hunting a few times a year too.  What dog breed would you recommend for my dad?  He is not picky when it comes to pointing or flushing the upland birds.  He just wants a good all around dog.  Please give me your feedback and why you like that particular breed.  Thank you.

[Spinach]

He really needs to decide if he wants a Pointer or a Flushing dog. Maybe you could do the research for him and help him with his desision.

I am partial to pointing dogs, there style is breathtaking in the woods, watching a pointer work for a bird is one of the best things in life to me. Especially when its your own dog that you have trained.

For a pointer I'd recommend a German Shorthair pointer (GSP) and for a flushing dog, I'd definitely say a Lab. Both are very good with kids, very smart and easy to train.

Once you decide Pointer or Flusher, i'll go into more detail.

[tattguy12]

I am partial on this subject. I would for sure buy another lab, especially if you do alotta duck hunting as the cold weather they enjoy. Also they are very loyal and great with kids. I know my lab isnt the best pointer and flusher when it comes to birds, But she seems to walk over themm and scare them out..lol."good luck dog". Well thats just my opinion on the subject. But any dog will do well if shown the proper way... tequila.gif

[Grute Man]

LAB -- nuf said.     fudd.gif

[Outdoors Junkie]

In the past my dad has had Golden Retrievers.  The one he has now is 11 years old.  I would say duck hunting would be my dad's favorite activity with pheasant hunting a close second.  He has never had a pointing dog in the past.  What are the advantages of having a pointing dog?  If I did have to make a decision, based off my dad's experience, I would say flushing.  There are no kids at my folks (except Christmas and occasional weekend vistors). 

[nolmscheid]

For all around...meaning duck and pheasant, I would definately choose a Golden Retriever or a Lab. I have never had a pointer, and I think they are awesome dogs, but most pointers are generally not good cold water dogs. Not saying that all aren't, but a lot of them are not KNOWN to be great cold water dogs because of the lack of an undercoat.

[Joe]

Sounds like a lab would be the way to go, but you could also look at the German Wirehair.(Deutsch Drahthaar)

[labs4me]

but most pointers are generally not good cold water dogs. Not saying that all aren't, but a lot of them are not KNOWN to be great cold water dogs because of the lack of an undercoat.

Unfortunatley, you are also describing a large amount of the labs roaming the earth.   

Indiscriminate breedings have largely ruined what is one of the greatest breeds to ever share a blind or upland field.  I would venture a guess that almost 50% of the labs hunted today, no longer have a proper coat.  As I've posted many times in the past, it was rare to see a lab wear a neoprene vest 20 years ago.  Now many, if not most, do.  If you look at your dog's coat, rub his guard hair (the coarse, stiff outer coat) back against the grain and look to see if it has a real downy fur underneath... this is the hair that insulates the dog from the cold and the cold water.  Many field bred labs no longer have this coat and rely solely on the oily guard hairs to keep them warm, which is not a whole giant step above any of the versatile breeds.

Unfortunatley, the show people have kept the proper attributes in regards to physical build in tact, but could care less about their field ability, and the trialers have kept the field ability, but could care less in regards to their physical make up.  Look long and hard for a breeder that has dogs with field titles (proving hunting worth) and show titles or points (showing proper make up).  They are out there and will be the salvation of the breed.  Many of these breedings are known as 'dual breedings'.  It should generally be no less than 30% show and definitley no less than 30% field titled.  You should end up with a good, tractible, calm, nice looking lab, with proper muscle, bone and coat and good field instincts.

Good Luck!

Ken

[thunderpout]

If he duck hunts, a versitile breed like a german wirehair or a munsterlander, or go the pointing lab route as my buddy has his last three labs.  I myself will allways have an English Setter or possibly a Gordon Setter as I mostly hunt for Grouse & Pheasents...The advantages being How close they will hunt to you when you are in thick, close quarters and will hold point till the cows come home, rather than running around bumping birds that you will have no chance to get or see!  Setters are also Known for their temperment, being a softer, mellow dog at home(good house dogs).  They dont make a good kennel dog, however.  Mine loves to swim until the Ice forms on the water, but because of the two stage fur coat, they are good cold weather late season upland dogs, where short hair dogs have their limits, and I have seen it.  The best thing setters are'nt as popular as other breeds so its easy to find good breeders and good dogs, unlike other breeds which shall remain unnamed... :ROTFLMAO: Do some research, Your gonna hunt with that dog for 10 plus years!  Good luck!   -thunderpout 8)

[GreenGhost]

I just went through this decision myself and ended up with another Lab.  I have hunted over Golden Retrievers and Springers that my brothers have owned as well as other Goldens and various pointers (english, brittany and german shorthair).  The goldens are great family dogs but both the Goldens and Springers need a lot of attention to their coats after hunting.  The labs I hose off.  I hunted with a buddy's Golden once where we hunted for 2 hours then he spent 2+ hours combing out the tangles.  My uncle always has "hunt" cuts on his springer coat...but then the dog is shivering late season.

I've chased too many Pointers and Beagles to ever get one of those, but I do love to hunt over other persons.  And most everyone I hunt with has flushers. 

As far as I can tell Labs are one of the most popular dog in the country because the are easy to train.

[thunderpout]

I think they're the most popular because they're natural born retrievers, and mostly thats what people think they want, to get birds out of the water, that and everybody knows someone who has black lab pups and can get one for "a steal".  Remember,  just as american idol/dancing with the stars is the most popular, its not really the best thing on the tube........      -thunderpout

[outdoorfamilyof6]

I like labs.  BUT the shorthairs are REally good dogs too. My dad swears by them, although they are more hyperactive and seem to require more decipline.  thats my opinion though.  They both seem to LOVE my children which is a must with me.  Just gets REALLY excited and knocks my little ones down more, which makes them a little more timid of my dads dog.

[Mayfly]

Get a GWP...what cool dogs!

[Merimac]

French Britt or Pudel pointers are nice dogs...

[dj]

It's American Water Spaniel for me!

[thunderpout]

Wouldnt it be great if ya could afford to/have the time to have a kennel with like half a dozen different bird dogs to use in different situations....cold weather dog for pheasants, warm weather dog for quail, smart dog to find yer lost keys.... :ROTFLMAO:                 -thunderpout 8)

[brownma]

Golden Retriver all the way for me....
They have the best nose in the business and are the best family dog ever!
I will admit I could do without combing burrs out of him after upland hunting.

[GOGETTER]

LAB  ::rockon::

[schwinger]

For a good "all around" dog it is hard to beat a Lab.

With that said you do really need to decide what you are looking for out of the dog. Cold weather capability? house dog? kennel dog? How it will be around kids or maybe this doesn't apply? Amount of attention it needs? and many more questions to answer

My next dog will most likely be a Lab, because they really are a good "all around" dog(which explains there popularity). I love my dog and would never give him up but he is very needy, can't handle the cold for the most part, and is a little hyper for my 5 month old daughter at times. Each situation is different and it is only fair to you and the dog to get one that meets your needs. As far as a strickly pheasant dog (which is what I was looking for at the time 3 years ago) I would not trade my Vizsla. He hunts close, has a good nose and when he gets enough exercise is a very good house dog.

[majcom]

Hands down the British Lab would be my choice.  My first was an American Choclate lab and she was great.  My current dog is a Britsh from Royalty British Kennels..  She retrives great (just turned 2) and hunts for ducks and uplands with aplomb.  She will even point from 10 to 20 feet if the Bird stays put otherwise she chases and flush for us.  The best money for hunting I have ever spent.  She is also a great house dog calm at home a machine in the field and calm in the duck boat boat willing to swim as soon as the guns come up.  British Labs the best of both worlds and at only 50lbs.   

Forum maintenance

[The General]

I also would second the lab as a great all around dog.  But if you were just a upland hunter like myself I'd never be caught without a GSP like this boy

[LooseB]

If he liked the Goldens but would want a smaller dog with a ton of drive check out this site
http://www.nsdtrc-usa.org/
Here is my "Toller" Echo! He is a great all around dog from pheasants to grouse to ducks he loves em all!


Forum maintenance

[Grute Man]

Nice looking dog.  I've never heard of a Toller before.  I have a golden as well as a chocolate and  bitchion (sp?).  The lab is my preferance.

Grute 

[peent]

Get another golden.  Don't  listen to these odd breed folks, go with what you know