Newbie questions

[reconabe]

I have been a lurker for some time. I have also been a lab guy for most of my life. Recently I thought I would like to try my hand at a pointing dog.
Here are my questions:

where can I find a resource about the different pointing breeds and their traits?

Can anyone give some recommendations on a breed? (I have been looking at GSP's but any input is appreciated, I am a pheasant hunter primarily, but I have quail connections in AZ as well.)

What is a good training book that will give me some good concrete training info? (maybe some info to answer my first question)

Does anyone have a breeder recommendation for a GSP?

Thanks for reading, I am still a ways off from actually getting a pointing dog, but I would like to be very informed before I even start the process.

[pear]

I like the GSP but I'm partial, I find them so versitle. Several good kennels represented here for the GSP as well as other breeds. "pear"

[Casper]

where can I find a resource about the different pointing breeds and their traits?

Can anyone give some recommendations on a breed? (I have been looking at GSP's but any input is appreciated, I am a pheasant hunter primarily, but I have quail connections in AZ as well.)

OH BOY Your opening a can of worms

Any dog will get the job done it will really fall into what you like about a particular breed. I too am a GSP guy but I have had nothing else.

[TAK]

If I were you and just starting out, I would look at all the type of hunting I would be doing?
Then I would get a list of dogs that I like the looks of?
Of them dogs I would contact at least 5(but not limited) breeders of them types of dogs?
When you find the breed for you then, you need to look at blood lines that has traits that will best fit your hunting? In many of the breeds you can see some division.
If you like the GSP's you can find many of us that Hunt/Trial/Show them, along with some other folks with other breeds of pointing dogs. Everyone is going to think (including me) that thier breed are the best.

[Greg Jennings]

One of the first things that you need to think about is if you're going to be doing waterfowling in cold water.

If so, folks will recommend one set of breeds. If not, you'll have more options.

Another thing you should think about is if you're interested in expanding your time with your dog with tests and/or trials.

Once you have those out of the way, I pretty much think that it's the breeder/line/dog rather than the breed.

With that said, there will be certain breeds with more good litters out there. There is also a large variation in price.

If everyone will allow a little levity...

Look at my avatar. I have a GSP and a Vizsla. I love both of them. I love both of them more when they're very tired.

Best regards,