The new Guy

gr_elliott · Post by **gr_elliott** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 12:55 pm

i am new to the board and new to the world of dog training. I am looking at getting a GSP to train and have never done this before. I have read Gun Dog by Richard Wolters as a starting piont, are there any other books that may be helpful and get me off in the right direction.

Along with Quial and Phesant I also like to hunt ducks, how would a GSP do in a duck hunting setting?

Post by **Greg Jennings** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 1:13 pm

GSPs are great dogs. I've got one that I'm stoked about.

GSP for duck hunting depends on how cold the weather.

I wouldn't put him into water when it's really cold. For that, a DD/GWP would be the better versatile dog.

On the flip side, I've retrieved teal with my Vizsla, who is the coldest-natured dog in the world during the Sept teal season.

As to your other question, I wouldn't pay much attention to Richard Wolters' Gun Dog. Honestly, I'd read the forum here and contact Maurice here about joining the West-Gibbons Yahoo group.

Best,

Post by **ezzy333** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 1:29 pm

Welcome aboard GR,

Sounds like you are serious about training your first dog and its good to read as many books as you can. There are as many books as there are different ideas on the best way to train a dog. All are good and none are right for every dog or every individual. thats why it is important to read the different ways so when you get involved and something isn't working to your satisfaction you will know there are other ways to get the job done.

Also I think it common for most new owners to feel like there is a lot of training to do to get a dog to hunt and nothing is further from the truth. The dogs instinct will make him hunt and your job as a trainer is pretty much relegated to teaching the dog what manners you feel he needs like come when called, fetch when asked to, stay steady when the bird flushes if you desire he do that. But first and foremost with a new puppy just make sure you expose it to as many things as possible, such as people, cars, and open fields and some good cover as it gets older. And for gosh sakes have fun. That goes for you and the pup. You can get serious later and decide what you want to teach the pup..

Ezzy

gr_elliott · Post by **gr_elliott** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 2:36 pm

thanks for the input.....I live and hunt in Texas, so I don't think that cold will be too big of an issue when it comes to duck hunting. I have actually looked a little into the Vizsla breed, and they are good looking dog. I have read a few things that have lead me to believe that they might be a little more difficult to train (due to very high energy levels and down right hard headedness) especially for a beginner. I don't know anyone with a Vizsla and don't have any experience with this breed. Would I be correct to assume that they are just as good at pointing and retrieving then the GSP. If so then I might need to look more into this breed, they might be a better fit for what I am looking for.

Post by **Greg Jennings** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 2:59 pm

As mentioned earlier, I have a V and a GSP.

V's in my experience aren't hard-headed. They're usually softer and slower to mature, on average, than GSPs.

My opinion is that a good dog is a good dog. The question is then, how hard it is to get a good one.

Based in my personal experience and what I've heard over the years, it's easier to get a good GSP than a good V.

My GSP is just as wound-up as my V was at the same age, perhaps a bit more so.

Bottom line is that they're both nice but for different reasons.

Pics of both:

AHGSP · Post by **AHGSP** » Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:14 am

Hopefully BOSUN will weigh in here, he is also in Texas and has V's and may be of assistance.

BOSUN · Post by **BOSUN** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 6:14 am

Welcome to the board gr. I have V's and I hunt with GSP's, Britts, and Texas Blue Laceys too. Ducks, snipes, dove, woodcock, whatever, if it flies, it dies. it's hard to generalize, but I've found V's pretty easy to train, and the cold water hasn't scared any of mine off.
I would suggest you look into Rick Smith's seminars. Rick lives near San Antonio and is argueably the best gundog man around. He holds seminars in Hutto about once a year.

A little caveat here..I'm from the "old school", I'll be 62 in January, so my experience is not really as up to date as it could be. I bring my dogs to the "meat dog" level, no further, that's where both me and the dog are comfortable when hunting, so I'm not sure how v's react to training at the higher levels.
Whatever you do, join the appropriate club near you. Good luck.

QCBirddogs · Post by **QCBirddogs** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 8:19 am

Hello GR,

I tend to lean towards the GSP and the DK myself, but a biased opinion, just like all other breed owners.

THe DK is the best all around Versatile dog. The VGP test is the hardest test for a Versatile dog there is is. They are tested in 28 different catagories, not just pointing and retriveing a bird.

I also think the Dk is an excellnt cold water dog as well. All dogs will get cold in extreme temps. I would tend to lean towards more hair is not a plus here. One of the thinggs the DK is graded on is coat quaility and coverage. THeir chests and bellies MUST be covered. What cold water mammal has a thick coat of hair? If you give the dog shelter out of the wind after a retrieve he will out last you!

As far as training.....Read what you can get your hands on, learn how to work through all the fluff. Rick Smith is a good one to learn from. I took one of his seminars many years ago. He too has added much fluff & P.C. stuff, but thats business. Join the GSP club down there or the NAVHDA.

Also depending on your location in Texas......You are always welcome here in OK. I am a few hours from the border! We do just about everthing with our DK's.....DUcks, Quail, Pheasant, Drug Detection, Blood Tracking Deer.......You name it!

PHil
REO