Versatile Breeds

[Coot]

Need some advise...

I know this is likely to start a firestorm from lab lovers, but does anybody have experience with any of the "continental" breeds (German Wirehair, Griffon, etc.)? I'm ready to get a dog and know what a lab can do. I thought it might be good to look into the abilities of some other breeds before I commit. Specifically, I'm concerned about water readiness and making a good duck dog out of a versatile breed. The dog I'm looking for will be a retriever first and foremost, but I have some quail to hunt. Also, I have a family with small children, so we've got to have a family friendly dog.

[gator]

dude, everything you've mentioned is right on for a lab...retriever, first and foremost - lab...quail (i.e. flush) - lab...family friendly - lab...the negatives you spoke of, water readiness or whatever, you rarely, if ever encounter w/ a lab so why try out a new dog "hoping" it turns into a great water dog...i know it'd be fun to have the greatest GW or dutch silver goldieoykindoodle or whatever but if it ain't broke, why fix it? gator

[teul2]

Look at a German Short Hair Pointer. I have seen a few in the past that a guy in Hattiesburg was hunting ducks with. I thought about getting one but I was alot more in love with the Chessie.

[Marty N.]

Every year I get a call from someone with one of the VERSITILE breeds. They want the best of both worlds, a upland dog and a Retriever. They are consistantly disapointed with the retrieving side of their dogs. And wonder if I can help "ENHANCE" there retrieving. You have got to understand these versitile dogs are judged on retrieving flushed game on land 85% to 95% of the time. The retrieves that they make in water in no way represent what a RETRIEVER is expected to do. If you would be happy with a 20 to 30 yard water retieve then git the a "versitile" dog. I have seen the German Short Hair, Giffon, Springer, Wiemeriemer and the Boykin, I have traind or tried to train them on 75 to 100 yard marks with MINNIMUL success. Some of them would finaly get to be consitent in the 50 yard range but that was it. Of all of them I would give credit to the Boykin and the Springer as being the most tenacious retrievers, there only downside is there size, and they are foremost bred as upland dogs and retrievers second.
There are plenty of Labs, Chessie's and Goldens that I know of that hunt Quail, Chukar, Phesant, and every other kind of feathered creature that I know of.
If you are going to hunt upland birds more than waterfowl then I would look into a Springer or a Boykin if you just have to have a versitile breed.

[Marty N.]

Every year I get a call from someone with one of the VERSITILE breeds. They want the best of both worlds, a upland dog and a Retriever. They are consistantly disapointed with the retrieving side of their dogs. And wonder if I can help "ENHANCE" there retrieving. You have got to understand these versitile dogs are judged on retrieving flushed game on land 85% to 95% of the time. The retrieves that they make in water in no way represent what a RETRIEVER is expected to do. If you would be happy with a 20 to 30 yard water retieve then git the a "versitile" dog. I have seen the German Short Hair, Giffon, Springer, Wiemeriemer and the Boykin, I have traind or tried to train them on 75 to 100 yard marks with MINNIMUL success. Some of them would finaly get to be consitent in the 50 yard range but that was it. Of all of them I would give credit to the Boykin and the Springer as being the most tenacious retrievers, there only downside is there size, and they are foremost bred as upland dogs and retrievers second.
There are plenty of Labs, Chessie's and Goldens that I know of that hunt Quail, Chukar, Phesant, and every other kind of feathered creature that I know of. I hope this helps I can only say as a fellow trainer and friend would say is GET A LAB.
Marty

[goosebruce]

Lab, preferably BLACK & made in USA. bwhahahahahaha. travis

[NOHERE]

I think I agree with goose

[jdbuckshot]

i almost got a boykin, i think they could make a good waterdog, but i think its hard to find a good hunting line.

[sondance]

I hunt with a spinger exclusively. Some of the field bred dogs can do 100 yd + lines but it takes a lot of work. They do like to stay within gun range but if they learn hand signals it works out well. The bitch of my dog had thousands of ducks shot over her at preserves even did lgiht sea duck duty in the Pamlico sound. My ESS is as large as some small labs. That being said they are not waterproof or as big as a lab or chessie. But, they are very capable provided they are field bred. But they really shine when flushing birds.