What's the best breed for your family and why?

[RangeViewKennels]

There are two other factors that came to mind about picking your prefect dog.
Geographical location and the type of bird you will most likely hunt. This fall I was fortunate enough to get an invitation from a customer to hunt Northern Idaho. We were hunting chukars and Huns. The terrain was steep and rocky. Much different than I am use to out here on the prairie.

Although all my dogs did well I did notice that my one English Pointer just seemed to feel more at home than my shorthairs. I had always been told that the EP is a better suited dog in this kind of terrain but never took muck stock in that. I know Josie has never been anywhere but out here on the flat land until that trip, yet she just seemed to be a leg up on everyone else.
I would be interested to hear how different breeds excel in your different parts of the country and the type of birds you hunt.

idaho1.jpg (99.39 KiB) Viewed 308 times

[buckwildbirddogs]

We raise both GSPs and Britts. We have had the opportunity to hunt behind them both and grow up with both of these breeds all our lives. To us they are each wonderful family dogs and outstanding hunters. They each have their own quirks that are more specific to the dog than to the breed I believe (in a well run breeding program).

All of our GSPs will work their tails off in the field for you, and then curl up with you on the couch to watch TV. They have no trouble at all with children (we have numerous children around them from 2-8yrs old), other animals/dogs/cats/horses/etc. Just wonderful all around dogs. Our Brits are the same. Hard working, loving family dogs.

We have also had "bad" dogs of each breed. Ones in which we would not recommend to certain families as they do not get along with other dogs or with kids. But like I said before, I truly believe that it all has to do with the individual dogs. As both of these breeds have been bred to be Hunters AND family dogs.

But... to answer your question I am partial to the GSP for too many reasons to list.

[Trainwreck]

Since not everyone in the family hunts, we have kids, the dog would be allowed inside, it had to be social, we didn't want hair all over... it had to be a griff.

[lakeside]

Not to beat a dead horse but I have nine Weimaraners and Shorthairs in the house, that fit in just fine with 8 and 10 year old daughters. I could almost power my house with the energy they put off. That being said my youngest daughter can immediately take command of my largest GSP if needed.
I think most (not all ) dogs reflect their owners, whatever the hunting breed. No structure= no discipline= intimidating dogs.Not always the case , plenty of crazy dogs.
Get the dog that has an energy level you (yes you)can satisfy, the type of hunting you prefer, dont forget the shedding thing- short coat, long coat , they are all mud magnets. Gotta love it.

[Birdsboro]

Hi guys this is my first time posting to this forum. As far as what is the best dog for your family, that can be a tough one. All I can do is share my personal experience to give you some guidance. We breed English Pointers and Spinoni. We have 10 Pointers, two Spinoni, a beagle, a Boston Terrier, one child and another child on the way. We also run a Pointer rescue. I can say that my house is fairly active. but the Pointers and Spinoni do just fine with m kid and if your kids are a little older now you just may be able to introduce a Pointer back into the family. We breed show Pointers, but mostly hunt with them. Show Pointers typically are more mellow than your average field Pointer. I am not sure what type of Pointer you had before, but my guess would be a field Pointer? I have gotten quite the perspective between the two types from our breeding program and our rescue. Since 99% of the Pointers that have come through our rescue are field Pointers. There is certainly nothing wrong with field Pointers, we have couple of our own, but the show ones tend top be mellower. If you hunt with your dog I would do some research on show breeders that also hunt with their dogs like ours. Spinoni are great great dogs too, but it sounds like you want to stick with pointing breeds and not venture into the versatile relm.

Both of our websites provide lots of info about Pointers and Spinoni:

http://birdsborodogs.com
http://pointers.petfinder.com

Good Luck!

[3Britts]

I went with britts for two reasons: their personalities in the home and their work ethic in the field. Britts fit easily into both. That and the fact that they have to be the best looking of the pointing breeds.

[beretta]

Like all subjective topics, their are as many answers as opinions. I agree that terrain and species of bird lend to specialized breeds, although every dog owner/hunter has their own idea on what characteristics serve best for each bird type. Breed standard doesn't necessarily take into account the differences that individual dogs have within the same breed. When my family was young, I too had American Brittneys. I found what I believed to be the best possible lines available in Utah at that time, and owned several as did my hunting buddies. Techniques, equipment and information wasn't as readily available as it is today, and I did my best to train them which still fell short of the natural ability of the dogs. Rebel was a great companion for me and my six kids. My sons and I currently hunt with GSPs, and are impressed with their athleticism and strength. Our GSPs' are stronger, high octane, intense birdgogs, but do not show the personal closeness and companionship my britts displayed. That's just my experience and my opinion based on my dogs. Having said that, I must also state that I have hunted over very good setters, GWPs and labs, all of which made me consider those breeds while deliberating the GSP. If you love dogs and hunting IMO you can't go wrong.

[Idaho Hunter]

I have a Brittany now and just can not say enough good things about him. I have a 2 and 5 year old and if they go up to him, he will just roll over. I find it amazing how much abuse he will actually take from the kids. As for hunting, he is top notch, and i would put him against any dog. He will hunt all day. However, I plan on going with the Griffon for my next dog. The major reason for the change is the shedding. It's a lot easier to have your wife love the dog if she is not always cleaning up hair.

[Steve007]

Truthfully, most bird dogs with some training (as needed by any dog) and given enough exercise are darned good house dogs. You'll find plenty of guys who keep Pointers in the house, and they fit right in. I'll grant you that a bumptious young large dog and little kids may pose a problem, but it isn't the dog's fault--he's just a teenager!The average dog is a much nicer person than the average person.

The one thing that hasn't been addressed is protectiveness, which is wholly compatible with good sense.I travel a fair amount and my wife is alone; she also takes my dogs for walks at night. We live in a nice suburb,but...things happen. My previous (field and trial-bred) Gordon Setters and current Wirehair are perfectly cordial when indicated and love kids, but would do their level best to decisively deal with the situation if things get less than cordial, as happened once.

Doesn't matter to some people; it matters to me. And once, it mattered a lot.