GSP for waterfowl?

oregonoutdoors · 01-07-2009, 04:57 PM

I am looking to get a dog and can't decide between a GSP and a lab. I mostly hunt waterfowl, but have been doing more upland since I moved to the east side of the mountains. I haveonly owned labs but have upland hunted with a few GSP's and I have a few questions.

1) When it is snowing and the water is partially frozen will a GSP hold up to water retrieves?

2) What is the usual temperment of a GSP sitting in a blind all day?

Limbhanger · 01-07-2009, 05:34 PM

Sitting wet in the cold in a blind will be too much for a GSP I think. Maybe with a good dog vest, but I still think they might be a little shy on the hair and fat side to stay comfy going in and out of cold water.

I had my pup out over the weekend and he seems to like the water, but he shivered every time he would stop moving.

Early season, or jump shooting I wouldnt hesitate though.

Snug 2 · 01-07-2009, 06:23 PM

I have two GSP's and they will retrieve ducks in the warm early season if I am jump shooting, but I will not hunt them in a blind in cold weather. Even with their insulated vests on they shiver like crazy.

A lab is probably better choice.

sprigkiller09 · 01-07-2009, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limbhanger

Sitting wet in the cold in a blind will be too much for a GSP I think. Maybe with a good dog vest, but I still think they might be a little shy on the hair and fat side to stay comfy going in and out of cold water.

I had my pup out over the weekend and he seems to like the water, but he shivered every time he would stop moving.

Early season, or jump shooting I wouldnt hesitate though.

I agree!! My cousin had a GSP/Lab mix and even it could not stand the cold. So i would likely steer away from a weimer or GSP for waterfowl hunting!!

DogZilla15 · 01-08-2009, 09:38 AM

You might consider a GWP/Drahthaar, PP or Griffon. Living on the east side tells me you'll be doing lots more upland hunting in the future and a pointing dog is tough to live without. Who knows, you may give up waterfowl once you have a good pointer....ha ha.

Google Cedarwoods Pudelpointers.

You might want to visit versatiledogs.com and check out all the versatile breeds.

rimrock · 01-08-2009, 09:47 AM

A GSP is fine in the water, but for cold eastern oregon maybe not the best breed choice for waterfowl.

I agree with DogZilla. You may see more upland in your future and less waterfowl. I'd look more into GWP, PP or Griff. If you have young kids sometimes these dog do a bit better in a home with older children as they are more rough and tumble type dogs (generally-speaking).

Either way I think a versatile breed will be a good fit for your needs. V-dogs website is a good source of info for these breeds. The Lab guys are way outnumbered there. lol

Seeweed · 01-08-2009, 10:11 AM

I have a griffon now. had labs for years,This griff is a great duck dog and excelent upland dog

DogZilla15 · 01-08-2009, 11:13 AM

Oregonoutdoors:

If there is a remote chance you become interested in the Griff, please contact me for breeder references. The best of the breed do not come from the west coast so don't waste your time on them.

Before anyone becomes hyper with that statement, I didn't say the west coast dogs won't hunt.

rimrock · 01-08-2009, 11:21 AM

If one wants the wooly mammath version of a Griff it's hard to best the West Coast however.

IMHO that's the hardest hurrdle to overcome with the Griff around here, correct coat. Are you getting your dogs from overseas?

Linejerk · 01-08-2009, 11:54 AM

Boy I sure hope those Griffons are good hunters cuss they are sure ugly dog's

nevermiss · 01-08-2009, 12:15 PM

Aside from a couple years with a Irish setter, I've been a Lab man my whole life. A good one of those can pretty much hunt whatever birds you seek. Two friends of mine had other ideas, tho'. One had a GSP who was an excellent bird dog--maybe the best pointer I've ever seen. The other had a Griffon and while it wasn't as flashy as the GSP it worked well on our duck hunts, as did the GSP. We rarely hunted any particularly cold water tho, but the duckin' we did do with the GSP demonstrated no problems with cold or retrievals. I'd recommend the GSP for eastern Oregon, however, provided you can get a good one and train it fairly well.

rimrock · 01-08-2009, 12:54 PM

Now if one wants a good looking upland dog...we all know that's the English Setter.

Of course they absolutely stink at water work, maybe it's because they are too smart to go into the water...ya that's it.

The "ugly dogs" are quite good hunters, but man they are u-g-l-y (in a good way that is...lol). No doubt a GSP is totally fine for waterfowl, but I would recommend looking into other v-dogs as well.

Now isn't that a nice looking dog DogZilla:

sidewinder · 01-08-2009, 12:58 PM

I would never subject my shorthair to retrieving ducks in cold weather, or make him hold still for more than a few seconds. Not only that...but he is the worst swimmer in the whole world. It make me sick to watch him swim. He'll do it tho. Once the bird is in his mouth. He will level out, and swim like a pro. I am convinced he will never get it down without the fwd ballast. Thats my shorthair. I have seen many that swim great, and like to retrieve. They are just a bit high strung for duck work imo. I have a GWP for the duck work, but I do not expect her to bust ice all day like a lab will. There is not doubt a GWP can make a good duck dog, but I think if you plan on exposing your dog to extreme temps. A chesapeake, or lab would be a better choise. At times I wish I still had one....and a Beagle too.

rimrock · 01-08-2009, 01:02 PM

Hey how about getting a Lab and a GSP!

BTW sidewinder we should get together and see who can win the worst swimming dog in the world championship...it bet it would be close.

DogZilla15 · 01-08-2009, 01:06 PM

Big difference between the dogs (and their crappy coats) out of show lines being passed off as hunting dogs and those out of real hunting lines. The "hunting" Griff will run circles around all the toilet brushes.

See toilet brush.

The "toilet brush" look is cute but undesireable in a hunting dog.

See hunting Griff.

Funny thing.... The toilet brush in the photo actually has a very nice coat for a show dog as most are far worse than this example.

sidewinder · 01-08-2009, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rimrock

Hey how about getting a Lab and a GSP!

BTW sidewinder we should get together and see who can win the worst swimming dog in the world championship...it bet it would be close.

Now I rarely brag about my dogs. But thats a challenge I would bet money on...lol!

rimrock · 01-08-2009, 01:11 PM

Wow, thanks Zilla. I haven't seen a better side-by-side comparison. The first pic was what I normally see around here, just the worst IMHO for hunting. A setter coat is difficult enough to manage that "brush" is u-g-l-y.

The second pic I got to admit, acually looks really good. Even better on point too I bet!

DogZilla15 · 01-08-2009, 01:52 PM

Rimrock:

Check out this Griff...

This IS ugly......

DogZilla15 · 01-08-2009, 01:58 PM

Better on point....you bet!!!

Style....intensity....got it all.

wsuweston · 01-08-2009, 06:12 PM

Any of you guys use Weimers for Ducks? I have met a couple people that do. I doubt they would be good in the late season though.

oregonoutdoors · 01-08-2009, 07:20 PM

Thanks for all the info, I think that I am going to get a lab and then a pointer later on down the road if feel that I need one based on how the lab does. I have hunted in some really cold weather this year and I don't want to train a dog only to leave it at home because it is too cold out.

rimrock · 01-08-2009, 07:55 PM

EXCELLENT dogs Zilla! I hope that slick coat ain't yours

Enjoy that new Lab oregonoutdoors; it will be fun.

llama77 · 01-08-2009, 08:58 PM

Oregonoutdoors,

Enjoy your lab. But I think you should review the following pictures, they clearly deomonstrate how as Dogzilla says " a pointing dog is tough to live without"

( Before you sick the police on me, the above birds werent all mine but were all shot over retrievers)

5 degrees below zero when the above pic was taken.

OK theres one shorthair in this photo I think.

Retrievers are ugly too!

And as we all know, Goldens are horrible water dogs!

Yep you better go get a bearded dog fo shure!! LOL

rimrock · 01-08-2009, 09:23 PM

If I post a pic of my Setter with waterfowl does that make him a great water dog?

llama77 · 01-09-2009, 06:02 AM

Rimrock,

Post a pick of your setter getting into the water like the dog in the pcture and Ill say you probably have a good "Water dog".

Show me a picture of your setter with a bunch of geese and guys willing to let her hun twith them and Ill be inclined to think you have a good "waterfowl" dog!

DogZilla15 · 01-09-2009, 09:08 AM

Llama77:

Great stuff. I get proved wrong all the time. Keep up the good work with that Golden.

leadeyedbugger · 01-09-2009, 11:53 AM

GWP's like the cold just fine.....

rimrock · 01-09-2009, 12:13 PM

Nice snow face.

I do think if you're into waterfowl and want to upland quite a bit, a GWP or Griff is hard beat when it comes to hunting versatility. Can even track wounded game too second to none.

jnicholson · 01-09-2009, 01:37 PM

avid waterfowler = lab

The math just doesn't work for anything else. All season under all conditions in any field or stream, swamp, river, lake or bay.

Labs rule.

Bucky

rimrock · 01-09-2009, 02:45 PM

But who has more grey in their beard you or Bucky?

DogZilla15 · 01-09-2009, 02:58 PM

Bla bla bla Nicholson......Don't see you dog up here pointin' Huns..... 'taint a huntin' dog till it'll.....??? Darn "frog" dog, what it is......

jnicholson · 01-09-2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rimrock

But who has more grey in their beard you or Bucky?

nothing like consistent hunting in the bitter cold and racing along the mainstream with icicles building on your face to bring in the grey!

Bucky just turned 5 and I'm ...... well let's say a little over 20

. No Grecian formula for us featherbusters. Just rode hard and put away wet.

Besides the grey hair on the big block head's face reminds me of all the limits he's fetched up over the last few years

He's the only dog I know that has a dog food sponsor and has antelope hamburger for dinner each night. Life's good for the leader of the Nicholson Labs.

John and Bucky

jnicholson · 01-09-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DogZilla15

Bla bla bla Nicholson......Don't see you dog up here pointin' Huns..... 'taint a huntin' dog till it'll.....??? Darn "frog" dog, what it is......

Beautiful shot! Outstanding!

llama77 · 01-09-2009, 06:09 PM

Dogzilla,

Great photo!!

Did anyone else notice the dogs got a legband??

Nice shots of Bucky too!!

DogZilla15 · 01-09-2009, 08:22 PM

Llama:

Good eye on the leg band.

Nicholson:

Yer frog dog looks pretty good too.

rimrock · 01-09-2009, 08:39 PM

I didn't know if the grey on Bucky came from all the hardwork winning those medals or from suffering though having to watch your waterfowl shooting over the years.

lol

Your dog eats better than all of us...now that's a good dog.