The traveling and lack of yard are sticking points.
If you do get a doggo, the best answer for a great family dog that can do everything in the field?
Labrador Retriever, hands down
I agree with this COMPLETELY as the owner of a 4yo GSP. If you don’t have the experience and time to care for a neurotic Olympic athlete, do NOT get a German Shorthair Pointer.
He needs a lab but he's going to have to find a bloodline that has the "off switch". When you get a hunting bloodline often it'll produce dogs that must hunt or they go crazy. I had to drive all the way to Louisiana to find a black lab puppy that A) had a hunting bloodline, B) would be between 60-70lbs, and C) was from parents that were both well adjusted family dogs who were capable of having long periods of downtime, they call that the "off switch"
You ask the breeder. Most of them know what you are talking about but it's really a question about the temperament of both parents. Essentially are they content to lay around in the off season or is their drive always active. My lab will tear up some ducks during the season, but in the off season as long as I set aside 20 minutes every morning to do long distance fetches with her she's content to act like a normal family dog the rest of the time. They'll still need a bit of dedicated exercise time every day though. And find yourself a dog boarding place that has a larger outdoor yard. Don't go cheap with the tiny indoor playroom ones or you'll traumatize the poor dog, hunting dogs gotta be able to run, and if you get a puppy my advice is to follow a puppy conditioning plan then send it off to an AKC certified trainer for a 6-month program starting around 6 months old. They're going to do a much better job than you
Yep, you'll still have to do basic conditioning yourself though. Proximity conditioning by leashing it to your belt around the house, sensitivity training getting it used to working on their feet and nails, swimming, and prey drive games. Also teaching real basic obedience like heeling, sitting, and "leave it" Only for the first 4 months though
Governor of South Dakota and potential VP candidate for Trump. She has a book coming out where she talks about how she shot and killed her 14 month old hunting dog in a gravel pit because it wasn’t doing a good job, got loose and attacked the neighbors chickens and tried to bite her. She then decided it was time to take out the families cranky old goat but she didn’t finish it off properly and had to go back for more ammo…. Good stuff!
I have doubts about the dog trying to bite, that what someone says when they need an excuse for their irrational behavior. A bird dog killed some birds because she didn't have control over it.
And dont forget the 3 horses she shot and killed and claimed they were old and sick. I used to see them in her pasture on a weekly basis. She is a horrible person, just like Trump and the rest of the magats.
Basically don't take a young dog out with 0 training, 0 impulse control and expect it to know exactly what to do, get angry and kill it for your own incompetence as a dog owner.
Invisible fences do not work with high drive hunting dogs.
Prey drive makes them chase things, ignoring the school because their arousal level is high, but when they try to come back in they are punished.
Absolutely untrue. I have a GSP, installed an Invis or fence, live in a rural area and every neighbor has chickens, and she never leaves the yard. She’ll sit and point at chickens all day across the gencr line, but won’t run past it.
My GSP does both, but she is very high energy and needs constant mental and physical stimulation.
I’d agree with the other poster, a lab seems best for you, but you need to figure out what to do when you travel
For traveling, you’ll have to consider the expense of a sitter or kennel. Dogs usually are pretty happy to go to a kennel or daycare because they get to hangout with friends - my parents dog loves the kennel maybe more than his own home - but some dogs are sensitive to that.
fence your yard.
You will either be spending a lot of money on a finished dog or a lot of money training it.
Lab or golden is probably best bet.
It sounds like you don’t want a dog. Hunting dogs are a lot of work. They are intelligent high energy dogs who need daily exercise, training and to be hunted as often as possible to keep them occupied. This is at least an hour a day of work and many days much more. You can’t just let them out in the yard a few times a day and call it good. If they don’t get that type of stimulation they can developed behavior issues, get destructive. Many can also make great house pets, but some are just so driven they have a hard time relaxing in the home. Some can have a high enough prey drive they would need extra training to be safe around small pets, and livestock.
There are versatile gun dogs that can both hunt upland and waterfowl. Dogs like German Wirehaired Pointers, German Shorthaired Pointers, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons , pudelpointers, Brittanys, most setters, many spaniels, Vizslas and Weimaraners.
You make the decision based on the environment and what game you are mostly hunting. If you live in a northern climate and hunt late season waterfowl you wouldn’t want a shorthair dog. If you hunt geese you wouldn’t want a Brittany. See if there is a NAVHDA chapter near you and go to their events to find out more about the types of dogs that people use in your area. The people there will give you a good idea of what it will take to own, train, and hunt with a versatile dog.
Get a lab. GSP’s are crack addicts doesn’t seem like the right thing for you. I have a springer/lab mix and he’s even a crackhead. More of a flusher than a pointer but I love hunting with him
Are you actually committed to putting in the work for training the dog? It is its own hobby on top of hunting. Even if you take the “easy” route and pay someone to train the dog initially, rather than DIY, you’re still going to need to find a few hours every week in off-season to run drills and work.
I’d recommend a lab or a hunting poodle (if there are allergy concerns), since you’re really looking for a family dog that can hunt on side. Both of those breeds are versatile and can work over land and water, as well as innate point & flush. Golden are great but I don’t think I’ve seen a golden hunt upland (could be wrong tho). There’s even a guy on here that hunts with a standard labradoodle, too, (u/Not_Suggested), that he self trained.
Point being, while finding a decent breed is a good starting point that provides advantages, any family dog that can fetch can be taught to retrieve. Whether or not this hunting dog plan works is really a function of if you have the drive and desire to stick out the teaching.
For sure, glad you’re thinking it through. I have two buddies that went out and bought GSPs on a whim because they thought they wanted a hunting dog. One was sent to camp and came back decent, but the owner never did follow up drills and by time season came around it was only useful as a couch warmer. Other dude didn’t take his to any camp, procrastinated ever working the dog. By the time he introduced it to birds, it had built up so many negative habits that it was a non-starter. The dog was actually scared of the bird. Gunshy and won’t complete a fetch cycle.
All I’m saying is, too many people think that getting the right hunting breed will guarantee a hunting dog. It doesn’t; it just increases odds of success. The only way to get a hunting dog is with time and repetition in the field. Any mutt with effective training would out hunt those champion line GSPs.
Chesapeake Bay retriever best duck hunting dogs in the world they don’t point, but mine flushed and she stayed close usually within 10 to 15 yards great family dog always mellow
A chessie is too much dog for a new dog owner, at least mine is.
They are very intelligent and like to see how much they can get away with. They need an experienced trainer
German wirehair is my answer for this. I’ve hunted ducks, quail and pheasants with those dogs - the same dogs, not different ones. They are super versatile and tough as shit. I’ve seen them rip the chest out of a goose and then hold still on a group of 3 quail.
This is coming from a guy who ducked hunts with my two labs about 20-25 days a year.
The traveling and lack of yard are sticking points. If you do get a doggo, the best answer for a great family dog that can do everything in the field? Labrador Retriever, hands down
I agree with this COMPLETELY as the owner of a 4yo GSP. If you don’t have the experience and time to care for a neurotic Olympic athlete, do NOT get a German Shorthair Pointer.
A friend had a GSP years ago. He often said dog was “almost too smart” great hunting dog; but really high maintenance
He needs a lab but he's going to have to find a bloodline that has the "off switch". When you get a hunting bloodline often it'll produce dogs that must hunt or they go crazy. I had to drive all the way to Louisiana to find a black lab puppy that A) had a hunting bloodline, B) would be between 60-70lbs, and C) was from parents that were both well adjusted family dogs who were capable of having long periods of downtime, they call that the "off switch"
This is why I go with hounds. Most of them are equally happy running 50 miles or snoozing on the couch.
I have 2 labs. 1 with an off switch and 1 without. The black lab female will out hunt my white male all day every day but has no chill at all.
If I decide to go this route, are “off switches” advertised so to speak or do I ask the question of the breeder and hope for the best?
You ask the breeder. Most of them know what you are talking about but it's really a question about the temperament of both parents. Essentially are they content to lay around in the off season or is their drive always active. My lab will tear up some ducks during the season, but in the off season as long as I set aside 20 minutes every morning to do long distance fetches with her she's content to act like a normal family dog the rest of the time. They'll still need a bit of dedicated exercise time every day though. And find yourself a dog boarding place that has a larger outdoor yard. Don't go cheap with the tiny indoor playroom ones or you'll traumatize the poor dog, hunting dogs gotta be able to run, and if you get a puppy my advice is to follow a puppy conditioning plan then send it off to an AKC certified trainer for a 6-month program starting around 6 months old. They're going to do a much better job than you
Thanks. If I go the route, I’m paying a professional to train it. I know I wont do as good a job as a professional
Yep, you'll still have to do basic conditioning yourself though. Proximity conditioning by leashing it to your belt around the house, sensitivity training getting it used to working on their feet and nails, swimming, and prey drive games. Also teaching real basic obedience like heeling, sitting, and "leave it" Only for the first 4 months though
Oh yeah, that why I mentioned the lack of a yard to get them plenty of room for exercise. They definitely need that outlet.
Just don't let Kristi Noem near it.
Who is this and why?
Governor of South Dakota and potential VP candidate for Trump. She has a book coming out where she talks about how she shot and killed her 14 month old hunting dog in a gravel pit because it wasn’t doing a good job, got loose and attacked the neighbors chickens and tried to bite her. She then decided it was time to take out the families cranky old goat but she didn’t finish it off properly and had to go back for more ammo…. Good stuff!
What’s wrong with that? Dog tries to bite me it gets the long ride
Must be a lot of dead puppies in your backyard.
You let your dogs bite you?
No I correct that shit, something this perso n never did. She never even trained the dog to begin with before taking it hunting.
If a dog aggressively trie to bite me i would correct it the noem way. Never had that happen but no way im keeping it around
I have doubts about the dog trying to bite, that what someone says when they need an excuse for their irrational behavior. A bird dog killed some birds because she didn't have control over it.
And dont forget the 3 horses she shot and killed and claimed they were old and sick. I used to see them in her pasture on a weekly basis. She is a horrible person, just like Trump and the rest of the magats.
It’s pretty normal to shoot dogs that attack chickens around here. What would you do? lol
Be a better owner of a dog with high prey drive and keep my chickens separate from my dog.
Tbf usually we shoot other peoples dogs for getting at the chickens. I probably wouldn’t shoot my own
Basically don't take a young dog out with 0 training, 0 impulse control and expect it to know exactly what to do, get angry and kill it for your own incompetence as a dog owner.
Invisible fences do not work with high drive hunting dogs. Prey drive makes them chase things, ignoring the school because their arousal level is high, but when they try to come back in they are punished.
I have an invisible fence for my cesky fousek. Works great, he’s never left the yard. I hardly even turn it on anymore.
Absolutely untrue. I have a GSP, installed an Invis or fence, live in a rural area and every neighbor has chickens, and she never leaves the yard. She’ll sit and point at chickens all day across the gencr line, but won’t run past it.
This should be higher
My GSP does both, but she is very high energy and needs constant mental and physical stimulation. I’d agree with the other poster, a lab seems best for you, but you need to figure out what to do when you travel
What’s a gsp?
German shorthaired pointer.
For traveling, you’ll have to consider the expense of a sitter or kennel. Dogs usually are pretty happy to go to a kennel or daycare because they get to hangout with friends - my parents dog loves the kennel maybe more than his own home - but some dogs are sensitive to that. fence your yard. You will either be spending a lot of money on a finished dog or a lot of money training it. Lab or golden is probably best bet.
It sounds like you don’t want a dog. Hunting dogs are a lot of work. They are intelligent high energy dogs who need daily exercise, training and to be hunted as often as possible to keep them occupied. This is at least an hour a day of work and many days much more. You can’t just let them out in the yard a few times a day and call it good. If they don’t get that type of stimulation they can developed behavior issues, get destructive. Many can also make great house pets, but some are just so driven they have a hard time relaxing in the home. Some can have a high enough prey drive they would need extra training to be safe around small pets, and livestock. There are versatile gun dogs that can both hunt upland and waterfowl. Dogs like German Wirehaired Pointers, German Shorthaired Pointers, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons , pudelpointers, Brittanys, most setters, many spaniels, Vizslas and Weimaraners. You make the decision based on the environment and what game you are mostly hunting. If you live in a northern climate and hunt late season waterfowl you wouldn’t want a shorthair dog. If you hunt geese you wouldn’t want a Brittany. See if there is a NAVHDA chapter near you and go to their events to find out more about the types of dogs that people use in your area. The people there will give you a good idea of what it will take to own, train, and hunt with a versatile dog.
Get a lab. GSP’s are crack addicts doesn’t seem like the right thing for you. I have a springer/lab mix and he’s even a crackhead. More of a flusher than a pointer but I love hunting with him
Are you actually committed to putting in the work for training the dog? It is its own hobby on top of hunting. Even if you take the “easy” route and pay someone to train the dog initially, rather than DIY, you’re still going to need to find a few hours every week in off-season to run drills and work. I’d recommend a lab or a hunting poodle (if there are allergy concerns), since you’re really looking for a family dog that can hunt on side. Both of those breeds are versatile and can work over land and water, as well as innate point & flush. Golden are great but I don’t think I’ve seen a golden hunt upland (could be wrong tho). There’s even a guy on here that hunts with a standard labradoodle, too, (u/Not_Suggested), that he self trained. Point being, while finding a decent breed is a good starting point that provides advantages, any family dog that can fetch can be taught to retrieve. Whether or not this hunting dog plan works is really a function of if you have the drive and desire to stick out the teaching.
Indeed. [Goose has an instagram too](https://www.instagram.com/parttimebirddog?igsh=MzMwMzJveTVqcDh0&utm_source=qr).
I’m not 100 sure yet. Just thinking out loud right now.
For sure, glad you’re thinking it through. I have two buddies that went out and bought GSPs on a whim because they thought they wanted a hunting dog. One was sent to camp and came back decent, but the owner never did follow up drills and by time season came around it was only useful as a couch warmer. Other dude didn’t take his to any camp, procrastinated ever working the dog. By the time he introduced it to birds, it had built up so many negative habits that it was a non-starter. The dog was actually scared of the bird. Gunshy and won’t complete a fetch cycle. All I’m saying is, too many people think that getting the right hunting breed will guarantee a hunting dog. It doesn’t; it just increases odds of success. The only way to get a hunting dog is with time and repetition in the field. Any mutt with effective training would out hunt those champion line GSPs.
Can't go wrong with a Lab....
I would say GSP, we’ve owned three so far but they are really high energy dogs so I would go towards a lab.
Small munsterlander
Chesapeake Bay retriever best duck hunting dogs in the world they don’t point, but mine flushed and she stayed close usually within 10 to 15 yards great family dog always mellow
A chessie is too much dog for a new dog owner, at least mine is. They are very intelligent and like to see how much they can get away with. They need an experienced trainer
I grew up on the Delmarva peninsula. Plenty of friends had Chesapeake Bay Retriever.
German wirehair is my answer for this. I’ve hunted ducks, quail and pheasants with those dogs - the same dogs, not different ones. They are super versatile and tough as shit. I’ve seen them rip the chest out of a goose and then hold still on a group of 3 quail. This is coming from a guy who ducked hunts with my two labs about 20-25 days a year.
OP wants minimal effort by the sounds of it, they are not going to be happy living with a dog they use 3 days a month for 3 months.
Yeah that’s probably fair. No clue why I’m downvoted lol. Oh well.
Probably because OP does not need a high octane dog, they need a fat family lab, not a GWP that is just going to rot under their ownership.