Experiences with flushing dogs

[BrittGSP818]

I have been on a long quest to determine if my next four legged hunting partner should be a flusher or pointer. I have had pointing breeds before so of course I am biased. I am looking for a small dog so that leaves me with Brittanys for pointing dogs and springer or cocker spaniels for flushers.

Sean, we have spoken about this topic before and I know how much you love your springer but this is a decade or so commitment and I don't feel comfortable enough to pull the trigger and get a pup without some more research and possible personal experience seeing these dogs hunt.

I usually hunt dove, quali, and chukar. A solid natural retrieve is important. I would like to get into duck hunting too but don't know any places to go but would still like a dog that isn't afraid of water.

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Farallon]

I have had 3 Brittanys, 1 Lab, 1 Shorthair.

I hunted ducks in ponds with the Brits and Lab. They all owned neoprene vests.

The Brits had problems with heat, cold and burrs. The lab didn't like the heat, the shorthair often seems cold. There are under 40lb shorthairs, mine is 45, her mother is 37 lbs.

I am getting old, in 10 yrs, my next dog will be a lab.

As I get older, I think I will be more interested in a house dog that can hunt, vs a hunting dog that can live in a house.

Hunting over a flushing dog may require more attention than hunting over a pointer.

Based on my experience, Labs are easy going laid back dogs, Brits are friendly dogs with energy, Shorthairs are very hunting focused.

 

[quaildeath]

It's interesting you say that about the heat and cold with Brits in your experience.
Supposedly, they are supposed to be great in quail and chukar habitat.....I.e. it the heat. The smaller size, I thought, makes them one of the best SoCal bird dogs.

 

[Farallon]

When I went from 3 Brits in a row, to the Lab, one of my hunting mentors suggested trying another breed. Then after the lab, I purchased a shorthair.

To me, it was trying something different.

 

[pierpont scott]

I have a english springer chocolate lab cross and he is one of the smartest dogs I've ever owned. A natural bird machine from day one. Has a flusher instinct hunting upland and loves loves to retrieve birds down in the water. Kind of bummed I got him fixed. He's 75lbs of muscle that can go all day. Mom was a 45lb English springer father was a 90 lb chocolate lab both great hunters. This year's duck season is going to be so much fun with him 3 yrs old and always ready.

 

[pierpont scott]

 

[Bigolwiggler]

I have a english springer chocolate lab cross and he is one of the smartest dogs I've ever owned. A natural bird machine from day one. Has a flusher instinct hunting upland and loves loves to retrieve birds down in the water. Kind of bummed I got him fixed. He's 75lbs of muscle that can go all day. Mom was a 45lb English springer father was a 90 lb chocolate lab both great hunters. This year's duck season is going to be so much fun with him 3 yrs old and always ready.

That is my kind of dog scott. I have a wirehair / choc. lab mix. Best dog I have ever owned. The crosses seem to have a lot less vet bills and tend to live longer. Mine ( Dillon ) it one tough ol' Dude.

BOW

 

[Bankrunner]

That is a great looking pup!

 

[Farallon]

In my experience, 5 dogs, the parents are big influences in the pup. I knew the shorthairs parents for a year, saw them at home, in kennels and at trials, my pup has a stubborn trait from her father and the lap dog affection from her mother.

Or, maybe, dogs act the same, so there are always commonalities.

Try a new breed, if that doesn't work out, become a two dog guy.

 

[quaildeath]

Two dogs at extremes wood be cool. A rangey English pointer and a close tight working cocker would be fun.

You know this but remember pointing is being bred into both labs and brits these days.

 

[BrittGSP818]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen. I for one love crosses as well. My avatar pup which passes many years ago was a great dog and the inspiration for my username. He was of course a cross of a Brittany and gsp. Not too big, great pointing instinct (first point was at three months old on a fly, hold that point like a champ and made me proud), and great retriever. Really couldn't have asked for a better dog or better gun dog. Which is why I am now caught in this dilemma.

Pierpoint, that's a great looking dog. My first gsp was 65 lbs of hard stomping pointing dog.

For those that have had pointers and flushers, how has your hunting style changed if at all? For a pointer, it's nice, dog goes on point, makes you proud, then you go up and flush the bird or send the dog in. I have heard from some flusher guys that say even with flushers the flush is not a surprise, you ready your dog and know when they are getting birdy. Do I have to constantly keep my eye on the dog then?

Farallon, how have your experiences been with hunting with the different breeds?

 

[Farallon]

I have pheasant hunted over several flushing dogs, the dogs usually got "birdy" before the flush. I used to hunt most flying things, but now just club pheasant, wild quail and doves. Based on that, I prefer pointers.

I recommend researching the breed's temperament before purchase. For example labs and Brits are easy going, shorthairs are stubborn.

All of the cockers I have seen, had too much hair to do well as upland dogs; burr and seed magnets, by the middle of a season, the cocker would be bald(exaggeration).

I used to think small dogs would not be able to retrieve a 5lb club pheasant, but I have seen 10-15lb dogs carry birds.

I agree that crosses do not have the medical issues that many purebred dogs have. I lost a Brit to cancer, age 10. I heard that two of my shorthairs litter mates were put down due to 1) strange growth inside the mouth, dog couldn't eat, 2) unknown. I will try to confirm that this season.

While a dog is a 15 year commitment, I would not hesitate getting second dog if my dog wasn't hunting satisfactory. I have owned two dogs at the same time before; an old dog too old to hunt and a pup.