scimitar Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 Looking for a hpr but don't know what to go for, anyone got any advice. Will be working mainly over grouse and partridge. Also anybody know any breeders in the north of England / Scottish borders Thanx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 (edited) None, they're all rubbish - get a spaniel Joking aside, best HPR's I've seen running, or rather doing all the "H", "P" & "R" bit well, have been GSPs (and that's been amongst GWPs, Viszlas - inc HWVs - Weimaraners & Korthals Griffins). Never seen a Brittany Spaniel run. Edit to say: forgot to mention Spinone's in the list... that in itself tells it's own story really Edited September 15, 2011 by WGD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 I would say The GWP, but i am a bit biased. The shorthair is ok in the hotter months when Wires can get too hot, remeber though they are different breeds. The breeding of both these varies, UK dogs are getting very much toned down these days and imports will give you a very full on but maybee strong minded dog. Try Chris Grey of scotland or Rory major of Linconshire for wires Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanielchris Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 (edited) Get the job done Properly and get a Springer! Lol :-) Joking aside, we have had a couple of mini trail days on the farm i shoot on with a virity of breeds working. They all seem a bit scared of brambles and getting dirty etc. May be I've just been unlucky and not seen there full protetial! All the best! Edited September 15, 2011 by spanielchris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigger Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 Yep get a spaniel seriously, but if you have to get one I would say a gsp or vizla are the best two breeds that I have seen working but neither has come close to a springer or cocker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 Yep get a spaniel seriously, but if you have to get one I would say a gsp or vizla are the best two breeds that I have seen working but neither has come close to a springer or cocker If you want a dog to shoot walked up grouse over you won't beat a good HPR, much as it pains me to admit it That said, IMHO, an HPR in the beating line is the wrong dog for the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigger Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 (edited) If you want a dog to shoot walked up grouse over you won't beat a good HPR, much as it pains me to admit it That said, IMHO, an HPR in the beating line is the wrong dog for the job. Ah yes I agree did not read the op's question fully sorry Edited September 15, 2011 by tigger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 legs are too short for tall heather on a spaniel and they are ground scenting not air scenting dont cover the ground as fast and wide. ideal for hedges no good on the hill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 legs are too short for tall heather on a spaniel and they are ground scenting not air scenting dont cover the ground as fast and wide. ideal for hedges no good on the hill Kent, you are talking ******** again if the legs are too short for tall heather how come they manage damn fine in tall bramble... by doing what they do and pushing through it Whether spaniels are the dog for a day on the hill very much depends on the density of game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Harry Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 I have a GWP and will be getting another. I have trained with every common HPR including the brittney and SRP. One of the best dogs I've seen was a German Longhaired Pointer. If I were you I would meet as many of the breeds as possible then make your own mind up. Having said that I would avoid a Weimaraner on the basis that I have never seen a good working dog and most seem to be kept as pets. I know there will be someone to proove me wrong but that's my opinion. Harry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scimitar Posted September 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2011 Thanx for all the replies, its give me a lot to think about. Going to see a gsp trainer to get a good look at one in action, then try to get a look at a gwp sometime. I already have 3 springers so my hpr is purely for walked up shooting on moorland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted September 16, 2011 Report Share Posted September 16, 2011 That said, IMHO, an HPR in the beating line is the wrong dog for the job. don't knock it till you try it mine is great at it. Especially as we do a mix of partridges and pheasants I can cover stubble when walking them in easily and she will go on point hard letting you position as well as possible to send them in the right direction. When walking in cover crops she by the nature of the pointer is very steady as she almost stalks through, our birds are dogged in a lot so you only need her anywhere near and they fly. Then when doing woods you will occasionally find one sit tight that she points but most move as soon as they realise they have been sussed, She works very methodically and slowly with lots of birds so you don't get the spaniel effect of dashing through cover and flushing a load at the same time. Maybe I'm lucky but with 2 seasons down and looking forward to another most doubters have been silenced on the shoots I'm on. Then get to cock day and she is a serious secret weapon for letting me get nice and close to birds before they are flushed I can't believe anyone would suggest a spaniel for walked up grouse do they not realise what its about. Getting the dog on point so you can get close enough for a shot then getting the birds flushed when you are in range. You will never do it with a spanner, fine if you are driving them but not for walked up. I'm biased and would go GWP but I might be tempted by a HWV one things for sure I'd usually have a wire coat simply for the character if nothing else. Just beware of breeding if you go GWP there are some crackers about then there are the hairy crocodiles of continental stock that are very very hard to do anything with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiLisCer Posted September 16, 2011 Report Share Posted September 16, 2011 I like the GWP and have a "few" now - but from what you have said - get an English. YOU must get the type of dog you like the look of - otherwise you will not put the effort in to a dog you don't like! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted September 16, 2011 Report Share Posted September 16, 2011 Kent, you are talking ******** again if the legs are too short for tall heather how come they manage damn fine in tall bramble... by doing what they do and pushing through it Whether spaniels are the dog for a day on the hill very much depends on the density of game. Well because brambles patches are way different than heather. I am surounded by the stuff and the dogs need to go over the stuff not through it as they do with brambles, besides if the dog were to push though it all what state would it be in after a mile or so? could it mark downed birds with its head stuck in it? Can it air scent when its nose is on the ground? " short legs and long heather rarely go together" On a heavilly burned back moor interspaced with rough moorland grass a spaniel or two might work well but a good fit ranging HPR might do it better on its own and is certainly way better for the one dog approach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted September 16, 2011 Report Share Posted September 16, 2011 don't knock it till you try it mine is great at it. Especially as we do a mix of partridges and pheasants I can cover stubble when walking them in easily and she will go on point hard letting you position as well as possible to send them in the right direction. When walking in cover crops she by the nature of the pointer is very steady as she almost stalks through, our birds are dogged in a lot so you only need her anywhere near and they fly. Then when doing woods you will occasionally find one sit tight that she points but most move as soon as they realise they have been sussed, She works very methodically and slowly with lots of birds so you don't get the spaniel effect of dashing through cover and flushing a load at the same time. Maybe I'm lucky but with 2 seasons down and looking forward to another most doubters have been silenced on the shoots I'm on. Then get to cock day and she is a serious secret weapon for letting me get nice and close to birds before they are flushed I can't believe anyone would suggest a spaniel for walked up grouse do they not realise what its about. Getting the dog on point so you can get close enough for a shot then getting the birds flushed when you are in range. You will never do it with a spanner, fine if you are driving them but not for walked up. I'm biased and would go GWP but I might be tempted by a HWV one things for sure I'd usually have a wire coat simply for the character if nothing else. Just beware of breeding if you go GWP there are some crackers about then there are the hairy crocodiles of continental stock that are very very hard to do anything with. There are two points of view on the English V continental subject, i am for the latter BUT it can be a rough ride along the way. Some lines are so different that its almost like your dealing with two breeds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cracker Posted September 16, 2011 Report Share Posted September 16, 2011 (edited) Joking aside, best HPR's I've seen running, or rather doing all the "H", "P" & "R" bit well, have been GSPs (and that's been amongst GWPs, Viszlas - inc HWVs - Weimaraners & Korthals Griffins)... Edit to say: forgot to mention Spinone's in the list... that in itself tells it's own story really Thought you said "joking aside," WGD? Perchance, mightn't you have meant "anecdotes aside?" The griffons are the best, just want to be sure it's the right griffon - which would be the Italian griffon, otherwise known as the spinone. They take the H and the P and the R to a couple more levels: V (for vanquish - as in varmints), R (for recovery as in v. big stags) and lastly C (as in companionship, which is incomparable). MG Edited September 16, 2011 by cracker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Harry Posted September 17, 2011 Report Share Posted September 17, 2011 Al4x, I like HWV's but I know 2 people who have them and they are not wirey at all. Both were from wirey parents but they look like standard vizlas. Harry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arwen3513 Posted September 20, 2011 Report Share Posted September 20, 2011 hi yes you can still get a variety of coat type within a litter, it is down to personal preference as some prefer a woolly'er coat and some smoother like a std Vizsla. my girl has a good coat and colour she is from Gonegos and Harrigoss lines, although the Dam was very smooth, the litter had a mix of coat types. speak to the breeders and let them know what your preference is, they can advise on the expected pups coat and put you onto a pup that suits your purpose within the litter. jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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