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If you could choose a breed, other than a Lab, Chessie, or Golden for duck and upland hunting, which would it be? Just curious for the responses. I have a Lab that I love dearly and it would take a LOT for me to stray from the breed, the fact that there are so many says so much for their adaptation and ability also. So if not one of those three, which would be your next choice?

I chose the Wachtelhund

If I were on the coast or farther south, where it doesn't get as cold, I'd get a German Shorthair. They just don't take the cold as well from what I understand.

Boykin Spaniel hands down. My brother has one and I will have one eventually. Awesome little dogs!

Field bred springer spaniel

I understand if you don't want to hear this. You may have your heart set on having a non-mainstream breed. But my best advice is to do all you can to get a top quality dog regardless of breed or color. Best performance, best health, and the credentials to back it up. There are a host of reasons why Labradors continue to be the most popular breed of retriever. They don't know what breed or color they are. They're just good dogs more often than any other breed when it comes to fieldwork. As the late D.L. Walters said; "A common dog eats as much as a great one. Do all you can to get a great one."

EvanG

Some type of Spaniel, without a doubt!

To be honest I love my dog and if I had my choice it would be one of his sons when I get another. He is four now and probably don't want another till he is a couple of years older. He has great bloodlines and has been a great hunting partner and companion, just never got into the hunt tests with him.

I really can't see owning anything other than a Lab but just wanted to hear other opinions because I like to research and read about other breeds.

German Draathar (sp?) or a Boykin

Boykin.

For public land y'all are all wrong!! You don't really need a retriever anyway. The right breed is a big, barking pit bull that bites. It may be a pain to put on his floaties and tow him around in his inner tube. Your buddies will bitch about carrying the dogs heater, extra large dog stand and his chew toys. When the first group sets up 50 yards downwind of your decoys my dog Tuffy is the only one to have. A simple sic em will launch him into action.

As he is eating the decoys, peeing on the gun cases and pooping in the other groups boat, they are salvaging their equipment & getting out of Dodge. So far all retrievers can swim faster than him so they escape. By the time I get there the remaining hunters have climbed trees. They are more than happy to relocate after I put his chain back on his spiked collar.

He is also invaluable for clearing boat launches! He would perfect if he would retrieve a duck. As it is, Tuffy is more than happy to eat the ducks I retrieve. I miss duck gumbo but don't miss it enough to resume competing with yahoos!
Mark Land

My boykin turned 2 in January and he's been awesome. Duck hunts, dove hunts, and trails deer like a champ. Smart as a whip.i may never have another breed

I have had several field bred springers over the years and love them. I just got a new pup about a month ago. I found a top notch breeder right here in MS at southaven kennels out of Eupora. I have been extremely happy so far

sondance wrote:I have had several field bred springers over the years and love them. I just got a new pup about a month ago. I found a top notch breeder right here in MS at southaven kennels out of Eupora. I have been extremely happy so far

sondance PM sent

I've got a half lab half Brittany. Not on purpose but it was kinda give too us. We'll see.