Best dog for Pheasant hunting

-JR- · #1 03-12-2018, 05:48 AM

My dream dog has always been the German Short Haired Pointer.
Retirement is maybe one year away. Then I might get him.
But the GSP is a high energy dog. Not sure if I need that in my life any more.

Never hunted over a dog ,something I always wanted.
Just Watched Angler and Hunter on Tv and they were hunting Pheasants with
Springers. Never would of considered a Springer .
My Second choice of dog would be a Britney or a wired haired before a Springer.

Just hopping to hear some input of dog owners

pikergolf · #2 03-12-2018, 05:57 AM

You might find this interesting reading.

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showt...ight=pheasants

oldgutpile · #3 03-12-2018, 06:09 AM

I hunt half of the year chasing pheasants. I do lots of tournament shoots, and just social hunting with a variety of people and a greater variety of dogs! Most of the dogs are all decent hunters and perform as well in the field, as the owner has put in the time to train them for.
I would start by deciding if you want a pointer or a flusher, and then look at the traits of different dogs. Where do you hunt, and what is the terrain like?
Pick a dog that will suit yourself more for activity level and as a companion. You will have the dog year round, even though you may only hunt for one or two months of the year.
I find that the spaniels are generally a bit more high-strung and needing to run. If you come home every day just wanting to kick back on the couch, you may not want to go this route, as they need to be run lots. Most retrievers are extremely social, and content just to hang around. Keep in mind, THEY ALL START OFF AS PUPPIES, AND WILL NOT LOSE THAT HIGH ENERGY FOR THE FIRST FEW YEARS!!
Other things to take into consideration is the coat. Long haired dogs do tend to gather burs and misc nasties that need attention after each outing. Shedding period will often create tension with the wife! I have a freind with a Visla. Fantastic upland dog, but not super great for really cold weather, and wont go into water past his knees! Are you going to want a multi-purpose dog down the road, like a duck retriever? All things to consider.

I am sure other forum members can add to this list of things to consider

58thecat · #4 03-12-2018, 06:17 AM

One that hunts

elkhunter11 · #5 03-12-2018, 07:19 AM

Come out to one or two of our NAVHDA field days this spring/summer, and watch the various breeds in action. You can also talk to many owners and ask whatever questuins you might have. I am sure that we can even arrange to get you hunting over a dog or two next fall to get a better idea of what hunting over a dog is all about. As was previously mentioned you have the dog 12 months each year, so you need to choose a breed that suits your lifestyle. Once you have narrowed down the breed, research breeders, and get on a list for a pup for a future litter, as the most desired breeders usually have a waiting list for pups. I was over a year from retirement when I started the process, and I had a breeder selected, and a deposit down for a pup about nine months before the planned litter. I had already hunted extensively over multiple breeds, so I had a good idea of breed, but my final choice was based on the breeder, after talking to several references, talking to the breeder, and doing research online about breeders.
A good online reference is the versatile hunting dog forum, it is based in the USA, but many Canadians are members, and many members have pups from Canadian breeders. The Canadian Upland hunting forum on Facebook is another good reference to check out. In the end, choose whether you want a pointer or a flusher, a bigger dog, or a smaller dog, and then the bloodline is probably more important that the specific breed. The bloodline is more of a factor in the personality of the dog than the specific breed. Some dogs are calm and non destructive, while another dog from the same breed , but a different bloodline, may be hyper and very destructive in the home. Some bloodlines will produce better hunters , and while you can train obedience, you can't train the hunting drive into a dog that doesn't have it.
In the end, choose a breed you like, from a breeder that has a reputation for good bloodlines, join a club to meet other owners, and that can provide a training field and birds for training, and spend the time required to train your pup and keep it exercised. If all goes well, you will have a pup that will be able to hunt well before it is a year old, and that is very capable by the second hunting season.

Newellknik · #6 03-12-2018, 07:58 AM

For the occasional rooster Hunter , mixed with all other birds . LAB .

Want a classy , foot hunting , great pet dog ....For the last 100 years
The Supreme Gun Dog ......WPG .....Wire Haired Pointing Griffon .
Definitely All Weather ....

There seems to be two classes of Birders .....dog watchers
or bird killers .

Newf · #7 03-12-2018, 08:37 AM

Well, I’m biased towards labs. So that would be my recommendation. However with that said, you did say that your dream dog was a GSP. I would say get that. If you don’t you might regret it and always have the “what if” or “should have” in the back of your mind.

Another option you might try is finding somebody to take you hunting over any of the sporting breeds that you might be interested in, as it might help you make a decision. With a year or so until you want the dog you might get a chance to visit wwbirds or Wessex for a pheasant shoot.

Versatile · #8 03-14-2018, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newellknik

For the occasional rooster Hunter , mixed with all other birds . LAB .

Want a classy , foot hunting , great pet dog ....For the last 100 years
The Supreme Gun Dog ......WPG .....Wire Haired Pointing Griffon .
Definitely All Weather ....

There seems to be two classes of Birders .....dog watchers
or bird killers .

WPG are alot of things but classy isnt one of them

caddisman · #9 02-13-2020, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newellknik

For the occasional rooster Hunter , mixed with all other birds . LAB .

Want a classy , foot hunting , great pet dog ....For the last 100 years
The Supreme Gun Dog ......WPG .....Wire Haired Pointing Griffon .
Definitely All Weather ....

There seems to be two classes of Birders .....dog watchers
or bird killers .

Newellknik, Did you train your own Griff or send it away. I am looking for a Griff trainer around the Calgary Area?

sns2 · #10 03-12-2018, 02:17 PM

All I will add to this is that GSPs can be very, very high strung depending on breeding. I have had calm and I have had off the charts. Off the charts was great in the field, but not so much in the house. You only spend a very small portion of time in the field. In addition, for a pointing dog you will need live birds and wild birds. Neither are all that easy to come by, and building a pigeon loft in the city will not win you many friends. Choose based on the dog you want to hang out with for the 335 + days you will not be hunting. Best of luck in your search.

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LCCFisherman · #11 03-12-2018, 02:21 PM

TOLLER!! This pup is awesome!

FCLightning · #12 03-12-2018, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sns2

All I will add to this is that GSPs can be very, very high strung depending on breeding.

I have found this to be true with most all sporting breeds.

sns2 · #13 03-12-2018, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FCLightning

I have found this to be true with most all sporting breeds.

True. He's asking about a gsp though.

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us326544 · #14 03-12-2018, 05:44 PM

I used to have a Large Munsterlander that was awesome. Point, retrieve, hunting machines, and a very chill dog around the house.

alacringa · #15 03-12-2018, 06:39 PM

raw outdoors · #16 03-18-2018, 08:15 AM

If a GSP is your dream get one. They are loyal they are gorgeous and they live to hunt.

alacringa · #17 03-18-2018, 09:02 AM

...this one!

But you can't have him.

elkhunter11 · #18 03-18-2018, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alacringa

...this one!

But you can't have him.

Mine has made a few water retrieves on pheasant as well' one where he was breaking a thin skim of ice to reach the bird.

raw outdoors · #19 03-18-2018, 10:23 AM

Our GSP also loves the water he will go in and get geese and ducks along with the best labs the only issue with a GSP is they get cold so if it’s very cold outside or they are in the water just get them a nice neoprene vest to stay warm.

MK2750 · #20 03-18-2018, 12:43 PM

Right in the water, and even cold water??? Wow, that is most impressive!

Let's say the jury is still out on the best pheasant dog, but I think we should leave the water retrieves out of the discussion lest we venture into the realm of the ridiculous.

Raw Outdoors, there is issues beyond cold when you ask a GSP to retrieve ducks and geese with "the best labs". Because of their web feet and buoyancy, Labradors swim effortlessly at speed. Their undercoat literally traps air so they don't get truly soaked to the skin like a GSP. It takes effort and energy for a GSP to swim as he is not buoyant and the rapid heat loss can lead to a dangerous or even fatal hypodermic state on a long retrieve into cold water, even with the vest. They do not carry body fat by nature and even if they survive the swim they may not be able to regain body temperature. This is not a knock against the GSP as this is actually their strong suit. They stay cool in the field and can run all day in conditions that would kill a Labrador with heat stroke.

Teagan · #21 04-23-2018, 10:17 AM

I have hunted both labs and GSPs, currently I have two GSP's. I love working with my GSPs and both of mine are both good pointers, and both have been trained to retrieve. My female is 8 years old and has more go then my 4 year old male.

As i get closer to retirement I will be moving back to a Lab. The GSP's really should be run everyday so really it comes down to the time you will spend.

I agree with one of the other responses regarding cold weather, it is no so much the cold weather that slows my GSP's it is when they are wet in cold weather that is when I need to watch them.

Lastly with my GSP's I do not need to work cover as hard as I did with LABS, something else to consider at retirement age.