Chessie or GWP

[BozoneHunter89]

So I am going to be getting a dog sometime in the near future and I am a little torn between either a chessie or a german wirehaired pointer. I grew up hunting behind english setters, however I have started to do more waterfowl hunting than upland hunting. I really like the GWP but I don't know how they handle water, and I'm not sure how well they handle the cold either. I would appreciate anyones thoughts on this. Thanks, Greg

[Sharon]

I've never had one but my friends have. They consider them to be a " water machine ' for duck /goose right up to skim ice, ( vest).

My brother had a wonderful Chessie - one person dog , very loyal to that one person, not as easy to train as a lab, coat holds water so can smell some.

[Birddog3412]

I have to agree with everything Sharan said. Do not let cold water be the issue when deciding between these breeds.

[mcbosco]

Those breeds are so very different.

I am from the East Coast so I see quite a few. They definitely swim rough NJ water the best but, I don't know if the temperment trade off is worth it compared to a Lab. Chessie's can be a handful and not a good family dog in my opinion.

Come to think of it, I have seen a few Labs from a breeder in Upstate NY that were some of the best I have ever seen.

http://www.peakperformancetraining.info/photos.html

Her parents also have a kennel.

[A/C Guy]

It would help if you listed your hometown, then people could give you specific answers and not generalizations.
Are you hunting in a boat?
Open water? or ponds?
Streams? Rivers?
Hunting in blinds?
What state? Etc.
Generally, in cold climates and big water, a Chessie would be best.

[mcbosco]

The only benefit with a Chessie is coastal water and a good Lab is close enough.

[ACooper]

What kind of water are you duck hunting in? Big water? How much do you plan on upland hunting? If much are you going to be happy with a flusher/chessie in the uplands? People can and do hunt the uplands with success with a chessie. The ones I have seen, and that is several the last few years, where AWESOME on waterfowl and only fair in the uplands. In all fairness though most of the ones I have seen were from the same breeder and you might be able to find some that were better in the uplands than these.
I have not had a ton of experience with GWP but have seen several DD's at NAVHDA training days and they were serious water dogs, BUT it wasnt super cold and the water wasn't big.

So I guess we need a little more info as to where and what type of waterfowl ie bigwater? And what type of upland birds? Also where are you located?

[k2k]

My older (10) GWP will break ice so she can lay in the water and drink it. I've taken both of them up to mountain lakes in early spring when the ice is melted to about 10 feet off the shore and they have a grand time swimming (don't know how cold it is, but it can't be warm!) But, for multiple retrieves in ice cold water, I wouldn't do it. I think a chessie would be better.

Coat density in a GWP is also a factor.

It would help to know how cold you are talking about them handling. Both breeds are tough dogs, and you have to know their limits, cause they won't quit on you.

[Gezer]

I have owned Chessie's, GWP's and DD's...they all were very good dogs...If you are strickly duck hunting....do the Chessie...if you want something more versatile do a NAVHDA Breed GWP or a DD...but most important is get to know breeder and dogs

[Birddogz]

It is my opinion that DDs have a more consistent coat. I'm not saying that GWPs don't have great coats, I have nothing bad to say about the breed. I have hunted over many, and all of them were good dogs, but their coat consistency wasn't as predictable as the DDs I have been around. If you are going to be hunting in January with temps around 0 and the wind blowing, go with the Chessie. If you like to hunt upland, by all means go with the GWP/DD.

[Grange]

I grew up with chesapeakes and knew others and the generalization that they are a one man dog is just that a generalization. One of our chesapeakes was never aggressive with anyone, but didn't show affection to anyone outside the family. Another one was friendly with female strangers, but was also protective of my mother and sister when a male stranger approached. And another one was as friendly as any lab I've ever seen. I have never met another dog that even comes close to loving water as much as chesapeakes. These dogs would rather swim in freezing temperatures than eat. They can handle multiple marked retrieves well. They do have an oily coat, but even that can vary from dog to dog.

I have hunted with a GWP in 0 degree F with wind temps in SD pheasant and the dog handled it almost as well as my lab. While hunting the dog showed no signs of stress from the cold and had a great nose.

[bwjohn]

have you thought about Pudel Pointers? They are a great breed, along the lines that you are looking for.

brandon

[ezzy333]

The only benefit with a Chessie is coastal water and a good Lab is close enough.

His question was about a GWP compared to a chessie. Lab was not in the picture.

Ezzy

[fuzznut]

A good GWP/DD will make a very serviceable duck dog, but will never compete with the Chessie if that is you main interest.
The cold won't bother a GWP in general, but retrieving all day out of freezing water ..... probably not.

Fuzz

[ezzy333]

A good GWP/DD will make a very serviceable duck dog, but will never compete with the Chessie if that is you main interest.
The cold won't bother a GWP in general, but retrieving all day out of freezing water ..... probably not.

Fuzz

I think this argument always comes down to what are your MAIN interest, upland or waterfowl. If upland is the top priority then the GWP would win and if waterfowl is the main priority then the Chessie would win. Both breeds can do either fairly well but each breed is better in their main area.

Decide what you are wanting the dog to do the best and pick accordingly.

Ezzy

[JKP]

I think its pretty clear...if water work is the thing, get the specialist...don't see any real decision to make. If you want to leave the option open to hunt upland birds and want a dog beyond gun range, take a look at the various versatile dogs...otherwise a good Lab or Chessie will flush them for the gun no problem. Overall, I prefer Labs to Chessies but that is a personal thing. If you look at GWP or DD, coat is important...soft coats hold water...open coats offer less protection in water or on land. Just do some homework...

[1vizsla]

If you do decide on a chessie or need any questions answered go to www.spinnakerridgecbrs.com. They have great temperments and are work horses. My friends chessie (Zilla) is the one jumping in dock dogs on the home page. He is primarily a hunter but does do DD in the off season. We met a couple of his half siblings at an event recently and they all have wonderful temperments (they put up with other dogs, children, louds noises, and people touching them all the time with no problems). The breeders will also help with any questions.

Carla

[Loke]

Either dog will work for you, if you are willing to train the dog. I still get a chuckle when I read about how stubborn, hard to train, and temperamental the Chessie is. Mostly written by some one that has never owned one. That is fine by me. I will enjoy the companionship of the most loyal, family friendly dog that I have ever seen. And she is the easiest dog I have ever had when it comes to discipline.
So the advise I give, coming from a Chessie owner is this. Get whichever dog you feel will suit your personality the best. Then work with the dog as often as you can. A Chessie needs to become part of the family, and will be a most loyal companion. Treat it well, and it will treat you better. I imagine that the GWP or DD owners will give the same advise.

[taxidermy]

20 years with Chessie's,They can out swim, out retrieve and out fight any dog in the march ;; I now own setters ,because, I no longer hunt duck ,although a Chessie will hunt upland , they are not a pointing dog, they are a flusher and I'm too old to chase after a dog.