Gun Dog Forum

So I am getting two new dogs but I am stuck on a few different breeds. I have had mainly spaniels and retrievers but I would like to get a pointer, but I really like spaniels too. These were my top breeds I just need help deciding. We mainly do upland but I may eventually get into waterfowl too so I'm stuck on which two breeds to get.
Thanks in advance,
Dalton

You mention you really like spaniels. Any particular reason you didn't mention the English Springer? Just curious.

Of the options listed I would vote English Cocker and German Shorthair

Of the dogs listed, hard to beat the German Wirehair, my other dog would be a britt.

Well the reason I didn't list an English Springer is because we already have one but we decided to try a different breeds this time, I think the variety would suite us better.
Thanks,
Dalton

I have owned gwp's, I absolutely love them, very smart, they love hunting, and very tough dogs for the northern country, the only downfall is with the long tough coat the burrs and oil they carry with them, I have hunted with my best friends lab, they are great dogs but still prefer pointers, my next dog however is going to be a gsp, I have hunted with them also and they are great, the only downfall is they get cut up pretty easily with the short hair in the belly and arm pit area, I'm hoeing to find a thicker shorthair coat if that's possible.

Braque Francais type Pyrennes, Weimaraner, Vizsla.

I have a opinion but now I have to wait another 7 years to post and keep this going

When the poster says "may get into waterfowl", he is clearly looking for a dog that can do it, and practically speaking, the wirehair is the only dog he has named that can reliably be expected do so. How strong is the "may "? On the other hand, if, as he says, his experience is with retrievers and spaniels, he should ask if he is willing to do a different type of training with a pointing dog. A Clumber Spaniel is no longer bred for serious hunting, which is perfectly okay. They have their niche, but this isn't it.

I'm a fan of wirehairs and have owned and successfully competed two, but there's not a darn thing wrong with a good flushing dog if that is what he wants and has experience with. Getting "two new dogs" at a time as he states is probably a bad idea, especially as he has to change and learn training of a pointing dog.

My vote would be for the GWP first and ECS second. GWP's are truly all around dogs in my experience. They have good noses, train easily, are good family dogs and work well in the water. ECS are pocket rockets that have unbelievable enthusiasm, and are good field and water dogs. They however would be my second choice of a spaniel, my first would be a Boykin.

It's been long enough that the OP is probably in the market again.

If you want to waterfowl and like spaniels, don't forget the Boykin Spaniel.