3 Breeds and a Hard Pressed Decision Maker

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Originally Posted by welsh

...I would suggest you strike the toller off your list simply because a good hunting toller will be harder to f̶i̶n̶d̶ finance.

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Fixed it for you, Welsh.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4.../IMG_6681b.jpg

For a dogless couple, if you can finance it, a working toller from Foxgrove would be terrific. That's who many of Sue Kish's pups go to.

Otherwise, heed the advice of the more knowledgeable who've advised getting a Lab. Because it sounds as if you've not trained a gundog before - and if waterfowling's important to you, starting out as a trainer with a breed that begs for serious training in that department (GSP, PP, tollers too) is an uphill battle.

MG

I have a Weimaraner and know a number of Weim and GSP owners (and the dogs too). They're fantastic dogs, great hunters and family dogs but they're also very strong-willed and a challenge to train. More so however if you're looking for an early or late-season waterfowl dog, choose a medium or long-haired breed. In my experience, love of cold water and these breeds is hit and miss. While I know a couple that will charge into an icy stream to fetch a stick, I practically have to kick mine in the just to get him outside to relieve himself on a cold day.

Having been in a similar situation I choose GSP. If your hunting waterfowl late season I'd choose the PP.
sounds like your doing all the right homework. I more or less rushed into purchasing our first GSP and it turned out to be a nightmare. Even though she was trained by the book , she just didn't have it based on 3 professional opinions. Health wise she was a mess also.
DEVASTATED our family. Pup was not purchased from a backyard breeder either. Last draw was when she unprovoked snapping at my son.
She went back to the breeder, we were offered another puppy but obviously declined.
This experience was a real lesson, and after countless hours of searching we found our current GSP, absolute night and day from the first one, both in train ability and genetics. What ever pup you choose, make sure the breeder provides references and have a good hard look at the kennel. Thats what should of tipped me off.
Wouldn't worry about this being your first time training a hunting dog, everyone had a first. Enjoy the experience and challenges.
Seek the professionals for training advice when you need it, but most importantly raise the dog to your expectations and standards. Very easy to be drawn into someone else's (unless competing the dog)
Good luck with the search.
R

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Originally Posted by crackerd

Fixed it for you, Welsh.

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LOL. That too!

My current dog is a GSP and I could not be happier at home and in the field. That being said, my primary type of hunting is upland birds, with very little waterfowl hunting. I had an Engilsh Setter and two English pointers in the past, so this is my fourth dog. In terms of trainability, my current GSP has been the easiest to train in the field (just my personal experience), and very well behaved in the house. As stated by others, I would also have to stress, (even more important than the actual breed), is that you get a dog from a very good breeding, (ask for the dam and sire's pedigree and look at the papers), it just increases your chances of having a good gun dog. If you do decide on a GSP and want to know of a good breeder PM me.

Thanks

Lorenzo

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Originally Posted by Lor79

My current dog is a GSP and I could not be happier at home and in the field. That being said, my primary type of hunting is upland birds, with very little waterfowl hunting. I had an Engilsh Setter and two English pointers in the past, so this is my fourth dog. In terms of trainability, my current GSP has been the easiest to train in the field (just my personal experience), and very well behaved in the house. As stated by others, I would also have to stress, (even more important than the actual breed), is that you get a dog from a very good breeding, (ask for the dam and sire's pedigree and look at the papers), it just increases your chances of having a good gun dog. If you do decide on a GSP and want to know of a good breeder PM me.

Thanks

Lorenzo

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I can vouch for his pup's capabilities. I have seen her work, excellent dog.

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Originally Posted by terrym

I can vouch for his pup's capabilities. I have seen her work, excellent dog.

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Thanks Terry :)

A lab is generally more durable/hardier than most of the other upland breeds. They have a strong desire to please, work best with hand signals and a nose second to none. If you have a bird drift out a long ways, you'll be hard pressed to find a dog better on a blind then a well trained lab. I'm fortunate that mine is just as driven when hunting grouse and woodcock as she is hunting ducks. Plus they can still be hunted in late November and December as they are willing to make retrieves in cooler water.Attachment 24213

Good luck with your search

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Originally Posted by stilchen67

A lab is generally more durable/hardier than most of the other upland breeds. They have a strong desire to please, work best with hand signals and a nose second to none. If you have a bird drift out a long ways, you'll be hard pressed to find a dog better on a blind then a well trained lab. I'm fortunate that mine is just as driven when hunting grouse and woodcock as she is hunting ducks. Plus they can still be hunted in late November and December as they are willing to make retrieves in cooler water.Attachment 24213

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I would have to say a Chessie then a Lab. Provided they have a thick outdoor coat for the extreme weather conditions(kennel dog).