Best all around Upland dog.....

[Papa Drake]

I know this topic is probably beaten to death on this board; but from searching i didn't find the answers that I was looking for.

I have always owned retrievers and I now want to get a pointing dog to start to do more upland. I have previously hunted over GSP, English pointers, French Brittany (?), pointing labs

I want to get a well rounded pointer for mix bag of upland: quail, pheasant, prairie chicken, grouse, chuckar. I know that these hunt so differently and big difference in terrain. I want to get a dog that hunts close, since all of our hunting is a foot. I also have 2 very young children so would need a dog that will socialize well at home and be a gunner on the field.

The dogs that I have thought of so far: GSP, Setter, Brittany, GWP. what are the advantages and disadvantages of each of the breeds? Am I leaving a breed out that i should take a second look towards?

It seems so personal for folks why they want the specific breed that they have, usually everyone says you have to have "insert breed they have" because...... But you never hear the short comings.

Anyone care to indulge me on good and bad traits of their breeds, What they think with my criteria would be a good fit for me?

Thanks,

Papa Drake

[GUNDOGS]

i have owned or had my kids around friends that owned GSP'S, setters, britts, english pointers and weims but never been around a GWP and i would say as far as having 2 young children it can depend on the individual dog not necessarily the breed as they all have the ability to be tolerant and great with children BUT i honestly have found setters to be the most "light footed" in the house and the most gentle around kids..GSP'S are by far my favorite breed (personal choice) BUT i will also say they have alot of quirks, can and usually do knock down kids without a second thought..anyone i know who has a GSP has issues with them being a "bull in a china shop" so to speak at some point but ive never seen that with a setter, jmo..i have 5 kids and our shorthairs have run right threw them to get by but the setters respected the kids space..maybe others have had different experiences but thats just been mine..good luck, id pick a setter if i didnt love GSP's so much ....ruth

[Cajun Casey]

Have you considered a pointing Lab?

[mcbosco]

Do you want something with a similar temperament and activity level as your lab? Where do you live? Will the dog live inside?

[skeetermc]

I found GWP's perfect for me and my family. Our dogs are part of the family and sleep in the house at night. Wirehairs dont do so well if they arent part of the family. They are also funny,curious and have lots of personality.

[Papa Drake]

I live in the northern front range of Colorado. And will be hunting KS, CO, NE, Mt ID. I have acreage for dogs, but up till now all my dogs have lived in the house, especially if my wife has anything to do with it.

Thanks for the feedback. Also how are the breeds different in hunting styles.

@Cajun I do love my lab, will probably always have a lab as well, great pheasant flushing guy. Looking to add to arsenal in different attributes.

[brad27]

Vizsla.

[SetterNut]

I am sure that there are lots of good dogs in each breed. I have had setters from before we had kids, when the kids were babies, and they are now the kids are all grown.
There may be some dogs that are as good in the house as setters but I doubt better.

I hunt quail, pheasants and Prairie Chicken with good results with them. You can basically get a setter that will fit into what ever range you feel comfortable with.

Don't know that anyone can claim that any breed is the best all around upland dog, but Setters are at the top end of the list.

[Hookadooka BirdDogs]

Papa Drake,

Welcome aboard.

I have owned 5 llewellin setters. Love them as bird dogs/pointers but had control problems in the house. My fault not the dogs.

I used to breed and hunt Brittanies. Awesome in or out of the house and great with kids. Fortunate to have had really good

hunters out of my Britts. The very best dogs around the kids and in the field were my field bred Gordon Setters, who

would cuddle and sleep with the kids and then track, point, and retrieve as well as any of my bird dogs. Good Luck with your

choice. I would stay away from show stock IMO.

[GUNDOGS]

I had one from showlines (male) and 1 that was field bred (female)...i will have another setter one day, possibly when we move this summer to our new digs ...heres the 2 with very noticeable physical differences, good luck in your choice and share pics when you decide ..ruth

[birddogger]

The breeding will have more to do with it than the breed itself, but make sure you choose a breed that is pleasing to your eye.

Charlie

[birddog1968]

....and the development will have way more to do with it than the breed

Why beat around the bush, get the specialist and be done with it. Oh and they look good too......and make fine house dogs.

[GUNDOGS]

....and the development will have way more to do with it than the breed

Why beat around the bush, get the specialist and be done with it. Oh and they look good too......and make fine house dogs.

wow they really are leaving more of a longer tail on some shorthairs!!! ...ruth

[ACooper]

....and the development will have way more to do with it than the breed

Why beat around the bush, get the specialist and be done with it. Oh and they look good too......and make fine house dogs.

I wish you would have docked your GSP's tail...

[birddog1968]

When was the shorthair blood infused? Fill me in? cause I can show pointers with markings like that back to the 40's at least. I think you've got it backwards. There is more likely hound in that dog than shorthair.

Ya'll keep your pointer in the Gsp over there in your thread, we got hound and setter and proud of it

[mcbosco]

[/attachment]

....and the development will have way more to do with it than the breed

Why beat around the bush, get the specialist and be done with it. Oh and they look good too......and make fine house dogs.

I thought that was a Bracco from Lombardy when I first looked.

[attachment=0]imgres.jpeg

[Runningdog]

....and the development will have way more to do with it than the breed

Why beat around the bush, get the specialist and be done with it. Oh and they look good too......and make fine house dogs.

I WANT ONE!!!!!!!

[JKP]

This GSP exhibits a lot of physical traits of the EP...I won't go so far as to say that there has been any hanky-panky but its an example of the desire to breed away from the GSP and back to the style of the EP. For 100 years the GSP was developed as a larger Vdog and now folks are trying to breed undo the founders concept and breed back to the Pointer origins. Same thing has happened in other breeds...50 lb, 22" white Wirehairs are another example. Field trialing makes a lot of dogs of different breeds look the same...the curse of the sport.

EP physical traits...slightly domed head, stop, lack of forechest, straight stifle, tailset, tailcut (there's a giveaway as to what folks are trying to do).

[goldenpatch29]

EP....are very hard hunters and they can get the job done.
IMO....if you want a dog that can get the job done and you can love like a member of the family too.....then there is only one choice...English Setter....but I'm kind of partial too...hahahaha

[SHORTFAT]

I went looking for an English Setter... Found an English Pointer and have been very happy with her. I think it's as much about what makes you happy and how much work you are willing to put into ANY dog to make it a hunting and house family dog. I still like the looks and temperment of every Setter I've ever been around, so when I finally convince the little Mrs to let me get dog #2, it will probably be a Setter... Get what makes you happy, and train it to make you happy!!!

[ultracarry]

I second a Vizsla pup.... good dogs. look around and try to find parents that have the range you want in your dog.
You just can't train them like a lab....

[big steve46]

A good dog is a good dog, but SETTERS RULE!

[3Britts]

I have had several different types of dogs and there is a reason that I went with britts. Good with kids, great around the house (I currently have three that live in the house with me, my wife and four kids), they get the job done in the field, at trials and just about everywhere else.

[crazyboy]

EP....are very hard hunters and they can get the job done.
IMO....if you want a dog that can get the job done and you can love like a member of the family too.....then there is only one choice...English Setter....but I'm kind of partial too...hahahaha

EP has no problem being a loving member of the family either, or being a couch potato.

[RayGubernat]

Papa Drake -

There are dogs from any pointing breed can do what you want...the way you want. There are also dogs from each and every one of those pointing breeds that will not be as "disposed" genetically, to do what you want the way you want.

It is far, far less about which breed than about which parents. Choose the parents carefully any you should be fine.

Better yet, pick out a partially trained dog that is about 18 months old and you will pretty much "know " what you got.

Puppies are a crapshoot, no matter what. Any field bred pointing breed dog is going to be a handful as a puppy and up until it is about two or three. They got juice and the juices flow.


Good luck to you.

RayG

[DogNewbie]

When I bought my pup i fulfilled three criteria. I had to be a pointer, it had to be a good family dog and it had to have a beard, so GWP was an easy pick! I think you'll find a pointing dog that is also a great family dog in all breeds if you do your research and find a breeder that values a well behaved family dog. Figure out what breed fits your style and start researching breeders and I think you'll be very happy with your choice. Also, while I don't have a ton of experience with dogs that hunt multiple bird species, I'd assume the most important step is introducing the species to the dog...if the prey drive is there I bet that dog will hunt any bird you want it to. Good luck!

Tim

[Papa Drake]

Papa Drake -

There are dogs from any pointing breed can do what you want...the way you want. There are also dogs from each and every one of those pointing breeds that will not be as "disposed" genetically, to do what you want the way you want.

It is far, far less about which breed than about which parents. Choose the parents carefully any you should be fine.

Better yet, pick out a partially trained dog that is about 18 months old and you will pretty much "know " what you got.

Puppies are a crapshoot, no matter what. Any field bred pointing breed dog is going to be a handful as a puppy and up until it is about two or three. They got juice and the juices flow.


Good luck to you.

RayG

This is what I think as well; this way we both can learn and grow together. Since I have a lack of training experience, and not as much time right now that will ensure the basics are in place.

Thanks for all this info folks

[Papa Drake]

Follow up question: between Setter, GSP, GWP, Brittany, EP

How do they differ in the field: nose, endurance, speed, the style of point, distance they work from shooter, cold weather vs hot weather, retrieving strength. Mountainous terrain vs plains vs woods.

Strengths and weaknesses of each dog in the areas

Thanks again I have learned a heck of a lot over the past week from the board.

-papa drake