Favorite Kind of Bird Dog N/C related

[clubcalve]

i have recently been hunting with a friend that has a gordin setter and was maybe thinking of getting a bird dog and was wondering what everyones favorite breed of bird dog was. Thanks

 

[ROAD WARRIOR]

Brittany Spaniel -  RW

 

[RAShower]

I love owning Vizslas. They are great natural hunter and retrievers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vizsla

 

[bovine and equine]

We just got a Golden Retriever pup.  She is a quick learner.  (dog)

 

[FutureBreeder2013]

not much of a bird dog fan but i love a good coon hound

 

[Davis Shorthorns]

LAB

 

[jason]

lab

 

[rmbcows]

German Shorthair

 

[Steered]

I think that it would somewhat depend on what you are wanting to hunt, and how far you like the dog to range.  Some breeds as a general rule are bigger runners and you have to work a little harder if you like them to hunt close.  I have hunted behind some dogs that I wished that I had a horse to keep up with, and others that you had to almost kick to get out from under your feet.  With that said, I grew up hunting over Brittany Spaniels, and have a great fondness for them.

 

[CMB]

German Wirehaired Drathaar. Very versatile dog.

 

[LazyGLowlines]

agree with steered, depends on what you're hunting.  I've seen labs used for hunting pheasant/quail plus german shorthairs retreiving ducks. Labs will flush and shorthairs will point, both will retrieve in water but the lab will stay dryer, shorthair will freeze once they're out of the water.  I also love springers but don't like all the hair.

 

[tadpole]

I have a black lab.  Really like hunting with him!  He is still very young but is really coming on strong!  I hunt pheasants with him.  It will be interesting to see if he flushes or points when he gets older.  His did is a chocolate lab the points and his mom in a black lab that flushes.  Both are outstanding dogs!

 

[chambero]

English pointers are hard to beat for hunting quail in open country in Texas.  All I've ever had, but considering getting a German shorthair for a little better retrieving ability some day.

 

[jbzdad]

I feed 5 bird dogs, 3 pointers 1 pointer shorthair cross and my wife has a lab that goes along with me, we hunt pheasants in CRP grass in central kansas, pointers go harder longer than any other, I use a beeper and a shock collar but after a few days rarely use the shock

 

[WRS]

We're big fans of Brittanys as well.  The are very versatile and smart dogs.  Our current Brittany runs in both field trials (horseback) as well as gun dog trials (on foot) and instinctually knows how big to run, whether you are on horseback or foot.  Brittanys also are civilized in the house and make great family pets when not in the field.

 

[AAOK]

I had a Brittany/Pointer cross for 13 years that was the best Quail dog I ever saw.  She could do it all!  And, short haired (no worry with cuckleburrs).  About the time someone stole her out of her kennel was when all of our Quail in our area disappeared.  If any Quail or Pheasant hunting Planeteers ever want to invite me to come hunt with you, I'll drop everything.  It's been 15 years, and still no Quail around here.  My Pheasant hunting buddy in Cimmaron, KS moved off about the same time.

 

[worthabit]

I have seen my heeler grab pidgeons and even a blue jay out of mid air! Not quite what you guys are looking for but I know she could be trained. (dog)

 

[shortyjock89]

We always had brittany's growing up, and I have to say they are excellent dogs as a breed. Very easy to train, can point, retrieve, break up covey's, and all that. But the single best bird dog I've ever seen was my dad's old beagle. He was amazing...best dog of any sort I've ever been around.

 

[dare3324]

A friend of mine has a German shorthair that I really enjoy because they range a little but not to far. But, you can only hunt birds with them or you will have problems later. I am an upland meat hunter and that is why my boys and I like our Golden retrievers. Originating from bloodhounds they have great noses and will retrieve anything. My male once tried to retrieve a HALF dead coyote that I shot. He has flushed and retrieved one or more of each of the following...Squirrel, rabbit, quail, pheasant, goose, duck, woodcock, raccoon, opossum, I think that's it. And best of all their is no more loyal companion.

 

[inthebarnagain]

not much of a bird dog fan but i love a good coon hound

Absolutely!! Had an awesome walker that lived to 12 and just can't get another one because we know it won't be as good as Sackett was!