1st dog

for huntin' that is,,,thinkin' on a German wirehair as a do everything huntin' dog,,,as that is what they're famous for,,,any you guys use one?

GWs are great dogs.  But I'd pick the breed that best works for your specific type of hunting.

My hunting dogs have been beagles, vizsla, Brittany, labs all specific breeds; except the vizsla which was promoted as a versatility breed, he only hunted birds.  The Brit was also a good bird dog but not a great retriever.

I did hunt pheasants over a GW. he hunted good but was a very strong willed male, and would snap.

Just read that this is the FIRST dog.  Just my 2 cents.....they take a lot of work to train.  MORE than you think.  Get some training books and read NOW.  So you can start right in.  That thing about old dogs, new tricks is TRUE.

Lots of work to train as a good hunter, easy to love the critter.

 

I was probably spoiled because Rocky was a natural pointing lab. First thing in the morning he had a little tendancy to work too far ahead but always settled down and kept a steady pace back and forth between two of us when pheasant hunting. Never duck hunted him but he'd wear out my buddies brittanies, water spanials and springers in the fields of Iowa. Still raren to go at mid afternoon while they were looking for the shade of the truck. I'm sure that a GSH or other big running pointer or setter would have given him a run for his money. He wasn't exactly svelte at about 120# +. RD

I've been blessed with several fantastic dogs.....

For upland birds the best was a GWP.....awesome hound.....it was stolen from me.....

I've owned two great chocolate pointing labs.....and they easily do double duty as a waterfowl dog!!!!

I had a buddy with a fantastic Golden retriever.....

Here's my advice.....for waterfowl it's Labrador all the way!!!!

For double duty is still Labrador.....

But for pure upland hunting it's Draathar.....This is a German registry GWP.....because not all GWPs are created equal!!!!


Edited by vapodog

As breeds get pricey or popular, lots of inbreeding occurs, and the quality goes own fast.  Try to buy from a reliable source.  Papers don't always truely represent the actual  bloodline!!

 

Although I don't own one, german short hairs have ALWAYS got my attention. I have two basenjis that live with me and though they are supposed to be sight hunters, they don't impress me for anything but their over activeness. I walk them both, at the same time, and it's a real physical thing. I even have the chain knuckle head collars that are suppoesd to make them stop pulling, and they really enjoy having their necks jagged, well I suppose they do, they never stopped dragging me............Kingpin

 All hunting dogs have a special place with me,sometimes I'd rather be around them than people.  All around dogs I go with Labradors everytime,upland game,waterfowl,bloodtrailing wounded deer. Licking my nasty feet,great with the grand youngin's,shreding my hunting boots when they are puppy's.They hunt till they drop and spoil ya when they aren't.LOL

Fella's;

Yeah, for what it's worth, I'm votin' Lab all the way.

900F

I won't be saying anything. I know nothing.

Wing master