Favorite Dog Breed...

[gspman]

Hey all,
Apologies if this question has been posted before. Since it's a little slow on the board I'll ask the question. What's your favorite breed of dog(s) and why? Doesn't have to be one you own or even a sporting dog.

I like GSP's, Pointers, and English Setters. I can't choose my favorite between those 3 although I've only owned and hunted over shorthairs. I watched some pointers and setters at a grouse trial this spring and was very impressed. I like'em smallish (<55lbs), instense and stylish on point, and speedy but not extremely rangy. I also think field bred English Springer Spaniels are really cool. I love the energy, enthusiasm, and their gait while hunting.

That's mine, what's yours???
gspman

[Gus]

English Springer. He's an incredible duck hunting dog despite his size. He does have trouble handling geese but for those few times I'm not worried about it. I really love his size the other 10 months out of the year where he is not hunting since he lives inside with us. I've had Golden Retriever and Yellow labs before but I'd get another english in a hearbeat.

[Hossienda]

I have to go with the Lab. I had a black lab for 13 years and had to put her down a little over 2 years ago. She was the greatest friend, just like all dogs are I'm sure. This May, I was finally able to get another pup, and she is a black lab as well. I don't really have a reason other than I had such a good experience with the previous lab.

Really any dog is nice to come home to.

-Hossienda

[Mr. B]

My favorite is the Lab.

I have only had two dogs a Springer and Maggie my Lab. The Springer was a great dog except that she was gun shy (probably due tot he fact we did not know what we were doing).

Right now it is a little quiet around the house with Maggie off for training. Can not wait until she gets back to see what she can do then.

[mwal]

I love my Deutsch Drahthaar. Used to have Brittneys.

Mwal

[Bushwacker]

I am partial to Labs. My grandpa, uncles, father, hunting buddies, in-laws, and now I have labs. They are really the only dog that I have hunted with, besides a golden retriever(I was very impressed) and a Wermeranner(sp)(I was not very impressed). I have a lab now that my wife and I have grown almost too attached to. It is nice going home for lunch and see that tail wagging as soon as she can see me come through the gate. If I could just do something about all that shedding.

[Mille Lacs Guy]

I have to go with the Field Bred English Springer Spaniel. I have 3 of these dogs and really enjoy their drive and how they want to please you in the field. I also have a chocolate lab and would put the lab second behind the springer. The Springers I have had experience with a more natural instinct then my lab does, which helps in training. But that's just my experience.

[Harmonica Bear]

English Setter, there is not, in my opinion, a more mellower, lovable, quirkier dog then a fine bred English Setter. And, of course, there is nothing prettier imaginable (in the dog world anyway) then a Setter locked up on point.

HB

[setterguy]

It all depends on what I'm hunting. I love my setters, like HB said there is nothing prettier than a setter locked up, however I don't even bring my dogs to South Dakota anymore. They do not handle pheasants well and can learn a lot of bad habits hunting running birds. I am a grouse hunter first an foremost so thats why I chose setters, but if I was a duck hunter I wouldn't have thought twice about owning a lab or chessie.

[Blaze]

I'm with setterguy - depends on what/where you're hunting:

pheasants/sharpies - GSP or a Pointer
grouse - English Setter
ducks - Chessie/lab
shedding - hairless chiuaua!
personality - mutts.

If I had to pick one "all-around" versatile though, it would be a Deutsch Drahthaar.

[BDR]

It all depends whaty i am hunting and the weather.

The best answer that came to mind that would fit any situation is " a well trained one"

------------------
I'd rather be skunked than follow the crowd!

Brian Rogers

JR's Tackle
Catch-N Tackle and Bio Bait

[springerspeed]

I have had labs and springers and I would agree with BDR. The best dog is a well trained one. Although I am partial to springers.

[This message has been edited by springerspeed (edited 06-25-2004).]

[French Spaniel]

I like all dogs and have had a lot of different breeds. I don't think there is a bad hunting breed. I finally found the one that fits me best and that is the French Spaniel (not a French Brit).

It is a pointer that hunts at a slower, comfortable pace and distance than many of the pointing breeds. It also retrieves well and is a good family dog. I have three of them. Thus my username of French Spaniel.

[STILLNOFISH]

I will have to go with the Weimaraner. I am surprised not to see more weimes being talked about. I have owned one for seven years along with a GSP. The GSP would obviously be my second choice. Great family dogs as well as good hunters. Great topic

[birdswacker]

I've had a GSP for 10yrs. Best dog a guy could have he's a retrieving machine.First pointer I ever had. Read a bunch of books and videos on traning and did it myself. He's not perfect by trial standards but good enough for what I want him for. We go to South Dakota twice a year and if anyone has been there they will shoot behind a bird but think they hit it well enough. They glide a ways (oppisite end of feild) then tip over. I loose control of him in this situation he goes after the bird and gaurenteed to come back with it might be 5-10 minutes but he always has the bird. He still moves real well for an older dog keeps the younger fellas in line. Just dreading the day I have to put him down as I have an 8yo. boy who loves this dog to death.