Gun Dogs

[Dennis]

Having seen some beautiful dogs on this forum I wonder if we could run a thread about hunting dogs. I have never owned a hunting dog and if I should ever be so blessed to have one I would want to know what the general opinion is of the best dog for hunting pheasant, woodcock, ducks and geese, grouse, overall upland hunting, retrieving etc. Maybe that is too much to ask in one thread but what does the group think is the best dog. I know not one dog can handle all of the above but for each of the above.

Dennis

[Craig Larter]

Labs can do it all---my 1 year old Lucy this season

[C.O.B.]

This will get a lot of controversy going. Craig has a Lab that does it all as do others here. Just as one gun can't do it all IMHO one breed of dog can't either. For upland birds I prefer a pointer and my breed of choice is a GSP. I have had some wonderfull ones (Gunner for example) and some that should have never stayed as long as they have but they become members of the family regardless of breed or ability. I no longer hunt waterfowl but if I did I'd have a Lab.

To hunt upland birds without a dog is just a walk in the woods with a gun.

[OH Osthaus]

since this will end being entirely opinion based no matter who says what

and be a setter fella my self - here is mine

decide on the balance between waterfowl and upland -

if it tilts towards waterfowl - go lab or golden retreiver, if you like to hunt over flushing dogs.

Generally (remember as I have said here before "all generalizations are false" ) you will find goldens to be softer personalities. I fell in with a bad crowd once upon a time and hunted waterfowl for several years. I had a golden then (how and why was a funny story). She was fantastic on water work and pretty good on upland especially pheasants (although she would retrieve a duck some one had shot days before, she could not be talked into picking up a woodcock)

The labs I have been around fit the same bill. Some Chessies will also do both as will. Just remember the old addage - you train a Golden with your voice, A lab with a stick and a Chessie with a 2x4

if the mix falls more to upland - go with a versitile breeds like the Germans or even a standard poodle- they will do water work just fine especially in the earlier season. I would not look for them to have the build for breaking ice.

IMHO - spaniels are great dogs for upland and ducks but a little light for geese, although I know some will handle them

ask around your local sportsmans clubs and find some examples of the breeds that interest you and ask owners to see the dogs or recommend breeders. Most dog folks love to talk about their hunting partners

just remember - a dog is a long term partner, choose carefully and the two of you will fill a book with memories to last a lifetime.

[Double Lab]

Craig is right on. I've owned pointers but they are specialists. For my money and the various birds I hunt there is nothing to compare to a lab. Never trained one with a stick just a lot of love and repetition. Get yourself a pointing lab and you'll never ask for more. Craig, please note 20ga. sterly in last photo. Sorry guys, Fox makes some damn nice handling smallbores too.

[Big D]

Agree with all that has been said. I'm a Lab/Springer guy (just lucky, I guess), but I would add that you should ensure that any new pup come from a hunting/field trial line. As an example, most show-bred Springers, Labs and Goldens will be less than stellar in the field.

[TARNATION !!!]

Opinion thread for sure.
I firmly believe that all canines are natural born predators. The instinct is not far below the surface; therefore, most any breed - with a minimum of encouragement, can perform in the field. I have had labs and pointers and also taken along family pets that you wouldn't ever think of as hunting dogs, including shelties and two mini-American eskimos. They all can find and flush. Point and hold is another story. For that I loved TAZ my GSP.
At the moment I have CHARLIE (LabxHusky) and KYRA (mini-American Eskimo) They are both fun to watch when they get birdy.
Rich is so right - Upland without a dog is a walk with a gun

Upland with a dog is indeed a pleasureable walk with a gun and a great meal afterwards. (Well, if we do our part - the best dog, best shotgun, best ammo still needs us to place the shot pattern over the bird)

CHARLIE

[charlie cleveland]

so true jack...love the dogs and snow and of course the phez... charlie

[Gary Laudermilch]

In my younger years I hunted pheasants and ducks with several goldens that were out of field stock. They were exceptional performers and the best buddy a guy could want. Eventually, I moved to grouse and woodcock country with my best ever golden. He made the transition flawlessly and I shot a bunch of birds over him. Several of my friends are into the cover dog(wild grouse and woodcock) field trial game and they talked me into getting a setter. I am now on my third one with absolutely no regrets. I should mention that I am a bit of a specialist in that I only hunt the king of game birds except for a few doves early in the season.

Here are my boys, 9 months, 6 yrs, and 12 yrs.

[Steve Hodges]

I have raised and trained/hunted labs in the past and I absolutely love the breed and all the dogs I had. Just wanted something different and have chosen a pure Llewellin, Star, which I have posted pictures of here before. He is now 15 months old and we had a great first season together. I hope we have many more.