Labrador alternative

[Hanks]

I have grown up with and always had labradors. Our brown lab is seven and we're considering getting another dog while she is still fit and strong. This is an opportunity to consider other breeds. I'm not really a fan of spaniels and I'm toying with the idea of a Vizla or German Pointer.

 

I realise I am opening up a can of differing opinions but I'd like to know PW members thoughts and experiences of using these breeds as gun dogs.

 

Hanks

 

Photo of current lab attached.

[Man-o-woods]

I think it boils down to what is you want from your dog and what kind of shooting it is you do.

I have worked ESS and HV's

I get a lot more out of working the HV than i did with the ESS.

personally ithink the HV/Pionters are a better alround dog than any other group.

they will hunt as well as an ESS, retriev almost as well as the lab, they are good in water, ideal for rough shooting, an absolute on a driven day as you can control the flush better than with an ESS.

I worked ESS's for 15 years and thought they were the DB's. Got the HV cos I wanted something different and have never looked back.

 

For me HV every time.

Just need to adapt your training style.

 

M-O-W

 

good luck

[Beretta28g]

Why not try a rare breed such as an Irish Water Spaniel, theyre a good all rounder, and very at home in the beating ine too.

[al4x]

A lot depends what you want the dog for, if its just as a peg dog / driven shooting then a lab is ideal. If mostly rough shooting then a spaniel will do the job however if you want to be a bit different and have a bit of patience one of the pointers may do the job. I've a GWP and she comes out with the rifle and now more and more beating and even on peg and so far its not gone too badly. Sounds like man-o-woods has had a pointer out beating as well and I have to say I'm finding it quite impressive. We have a lot of birds down and mine walks slowly and stops almost on point when she gets a decent number in front and slowly stalks them putting them up slowly. fascinating to watch and very interesting compared to a spaniel diving in hard and fast.

the other up side is mine certainly is a great house dog / pet and very good with children. only iffy bit if you can call it that is she isn't very good with cats but i try not to encourage that too much

Beware though they are much harder than labs to get going as you want and far slower to mature

[Dirty Harry]

I have a GWP and have trained with people who have most of the HPR breeds seen in the Uk.

They are harder to train than labs but a much more versatile and I don't think you can beat shooting over a pointer.

Find your local club and talk to people who have HPR,s and get some first hand experience.

 

Harry

[John-B]

have you considered a flat coated retriever???

[Billy.]

I have grown up with and always had labradors. Our brown lab is seven and we're considering getting another dog while she is still fit and strong. This is an opportunity to consider other breeds. I'm not really a fan of spaniels and I'm toying with the idea of a Vizla or German Pointer.

 

I realise I am opening up a can of differing opinions but I'd like to know PW members thoughts and experiences of using these breeds as gun dogs.

 

Hanks

 

Photo of current lab attached.

 

Tart that picture up (or send it to me and I'll do it) and that'd be an absolute winner of a picture.

 

PM me if you want it doing

[Hanks]

I was thinking I'd sell my services as a dog in water photographer.

[Ireland's Finest!]

For rough shooting you cant look beyong a German pointer, Wire haired, Long haired or short haired there all the same essentially.

 

A brilliant dog, will hunt forever and the great thing about a pointer you dont have to be running after him like a springer hoping he wont flush it to far ahead, the pointer gives you time to get in range and set your self for the shot.

[WGD]

For rough shooting you cant look beyong a German pointer, Wire haired, Long haired or short haired there all the same essentially.

 

A brilliant dog, will hunt forever and the great thing about a pointer you dont have to be running after him like a springer hoping he wont flush it to far ahead, the pointer gives you time to get in range and set your self for the shot.

 

Depends very much on what the ground's like. And you only have to run after a spaniel if it isn't trained properly.

 

I've shot over spaniels and HPRs and they are both great to shoot over, but they are different breeds for different types of work.

 

What do you want from your dog?

[kent]

Interseting thread as i am looking to Add a Lab this summer, GWP's are not Labs they wont replace one they are hunting dogs that are meant to get out there and cover ground wide and fast air scenting not retrievers that stay at heel or peg until sent on a line or spaniels that only work within gunshot busily pushing hedges and rough ground. Not saying the GWP can't do this sort of thing as mine will hide in muddy gutters with me for hours if i tell him thats the plan for the day but he only feels and looks comfotable when sent out. If thats what you need this time go for it if not try another retriever like a flatcoat or chessie etc

[lewis]

Labradors are hard to beat,

But have you ever considered importing a Golden retriever? Ive seen some excellent Austrian imports

[cracker]

Labradors are hard to beat,

But have you ever considered importing a Boykin spaniel? Ive seen some excellent South Carolina USA imports

 

 

 

 

 

And in no way, shape or, er, fashion is

 

 

an HPR "much more versatile" than a Lab unless trained to be - even then Labs are far more often trained up in versatility far beyond gundog function.

 

And like these

 

 

 

 

they ain't gotta be imported for their versatility.

 

MG

[Jurrasicway]

Superb pictures cracker. Certainly proves the point.......

[The Duncan]

Love all the pics - definitely keep them coming please!

[WGD]

And in no way, shape or, er, fashion is

an HPR "much more versatile" than a Lab unless trained to be - even then Labs are far more often trained up in versatility far beyond gundog function.

 

I think versatility is maybe a confusing term MG, or at least one that muddy's the waters. When the roles a lab can perform outwith the gundog world are considered there are, as you say, few more versatile dogs - consider guide dog, hearing dog, search & rescue, drugs search etc etc. But when considering a hunting dog a good (and that's the trick) HPR will out-hunt a lab, hold game and retrieve.

 

In fact a friend of mine who knows a thing or two about HPRs reckons the best of his labs and spaniels couldn't compete with his GSPs when used for picking up (and he has trial award winners in all breeds in his kennels).

 

All that said, having just added to the kennel it was a... yellow lab

[cracker]

Well played, WGD - right colour, right breed and right temperament for turning the woods or wildfowling upside down

 

 

to get their bird or beast.

 

Love HPRs and the many breeds of them - but as versatile as they're meant to be, I just don't see it across the broad expanse of North America. GSPs work beautifully afield (pointing), not so much in the hide, even less tracking or taking out "varmints." (Drahthaars ditto, though I'm impressed by them if trained to their capabilities.)

 

In fact, the most popular "hunting" dog by far whether the prairies of the Dakotas or the duck hides of the Chesapeake Bay is just what you've added to your kennel. And long may they reign,

 

 

 

the British Labs especially though the cousins of the same colour

 

 

do us pretty darned proud, too. In fact, an American field trial "washout" came 2d at the World Obedience Championships at Crufts last year and should be making a return appearance.

 

MG

[cracker]

Oh, yeah - and as versatility goes, didn't mean to slight the Boykin as the only member of the canine kingdom

 

 

that thinks it's got opposable thumbs.

 

though most of the time,

 

 

they can get on just fine without them...

 

 

MG

[kent]

No one dog can do everything, the Breed is somewhat acedemic as the training is so much more important. Unfortunatly our dogs are not with us long enough to learn it all, so we must choose what suits our needs. More often than not that means more than 1 dog in the kennel