Versatile hunting dog?

[Jesse Jaymes]

@KurtR I watched your posts and comments for years. I've no doubt you put 1000s of birds on the dirt. And I will reframe my semi sarcastic comment. MASTER of None? Technically yes.

But these dogs are the Jerry Miculek of Dogs. They're gonna be WAAAAAY up there in the Top 5 across every category. ie- Handguns, Gas guns, 3 Gun, Shotgun, etc.

Conversely.....even with some of the BEST Labs you get a stellar retriever.....with a micro possibility of a Point thrown in on a handful. A hot German dog is gonna hit them all pretty hard.

I was again semi throwing comedic Shade at some of the Versatile comments. I simply don't consider Ducks and Pheasants in the same day as Versatile. Woods, Water, Fields, Fur and Blood are versatile to me.

 

[KurtR]

@KurtR I watched your posts and comments for years. I've no doubt you put 1000s of birds on the dirt. And I will reframe my semi sarcastic comment. MASTER of None? Technically yes.

But these dogs are the Jerry Miculek of Dogs. They're gonna be WAAAAAY up there in the Top 5 across every category. ie- Handguns, Gas guns, 3 Gun, Shotgun, etc.

Conversely.....even with some of the BEST Labs you get a stellar retriever.....with a micro possibility of a Point thrown in on a handful. A hot German dog is gonna hit them all pretty hard.

I was again semi throwing comedic Shade at some of the Versatile comments. I simply don't consider Ducks and Pheasants in the same day as Versatile. Woods, Water, Fields, Fur and Blood are versatile to me.

Ya it’s all about what a guy wants. I don’t want a dog that chases rabbits or deer that is a cardinal sin when I was a guide pheasant hunting. Now getting deep into retriever games and 99% of my hunting waterfowl nothing can compare to the labs especially from the competition side. I have always said if for some reason I get the wild idea of something other than a lab it would be a bearded dog.

 

[TSAMP]

Ya it’s all about what a guy wants. I don’t want a dog that chases rabbits or deer that is a cardinal sin when I was a guide pheasant hunting. Now getting deep into retriever games and 99% of my hunting waterfowl nothing can compare to the labs especially from the competition side. I have always said if for some reason I get the wild idea of something other than a lab it would be a bearded dog.

Mine locked up yesterday at 120 yards. I walked in and noticed the older males body language and he simply broke point and walked off. Young male stayed so I walked up to investigate.

Huge snapping turtle in the middle of the field.

Versatile AF

 

[Jason Snyder]

Without a doubt, one of the finest dogs I’ll ever own.

 

[huntineveryday]

Mine locked up yesterday at 120 yards. I walked in and noticed the older males body language and he simply broke point and walked off. Young male stayed so I walked up to investigate.

Huge snapping turtle in the middle of the field.

Versatile AF

Haha, mine have always pointed box turtles when out chasing sharptails. Nothing like busting it over up the side of a sandhill only to find a pointed turtle!

 

[KurtR]

Mine locked up yesterday at 120 yards. I walked in and noticed the older males body language and he simply broke point and walked off. Young male stayed so I walked up to investigate.

Huge snapping turtle in the middle of the field.

Versatile AF

That’s funny are you going to make soup?

 

[BravoNovember]

GWP for me. We just picked up our 2nd one. I forgot how fun potty training is…

 

[bdg848]

You are going to get at least one response for every breed in existence. It'll do no good for me to suggest yet one more breed. The MAIN THING is decide what and how you PRIMARILY want to hunt. If you primarily hunt waterfowl in super cold water and only upland hunt upland birds on the side, get a retriever of some sort. Lab, Chessie, Golden, whatever, I'm not experienced in the retriever world. If you primarily hunt upland and only occasionally hunt waterfowl, then you have a million options. To narrow that down, You then have to decide if you want to upland hunt behind a close working flusher or a more moderately running pointing dog. Lots of spaniels will make good upland dogs and okay waterfowl dogs. There are plenty of pointing breeds who retrieve well and like water. Check out the Navhda page as a good starting point if you desire a pointing breed.

 

[bdg848]

I keep hearing "prey drive" with the versatile breeds.... When I hear that my mind says "they will kill your neighbors cat" - am I wrong on that? If not that is another thing to consider if you don't' want to deal with that.

Disclaimer, I'm all for cats getting killed, but I'd prefer not have a dog that lives for it.

The German parent clubs require the dog show "sharpness" on furred animals by killing one before they can be permitted to breed. The common method these days is that it must catch and kill a furred prey animal in the field and this must be observed by a third party.....I HEARD that another method is that a stray cat is released.....So yeah, I'd say neighborhood cats are at risk. Obviously, a dog can be taught what is acceptable and what's not. My shorthair will chase cats but only if they run. If the cat stands, my dog just sniffs them. She HAS gotten after some racoons and even a badger, though.

 

[lintond]

For me it's German Wired Hairs, they are a hunting machine and great guard dogs,nothing goes unnoticed. Just be ready for a dog that's always on and ready to go

My GWP is such a chill dog at home and then has a ton of hunting drive. He gets pissed when I leave early for big game hunts as he thinks it’s bird time. He was such an easy dog for a first time owner.

Unfortunately he’s at the end of his working fitness and is retired. Tough to see them slow down.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TSAMP]

That’s funny are you going to make soup?

Not a chance. You know how far I was from the truck.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

@KurtR Went back and re-read the majority of the thread....lol

I am a Die Hard Chessie guy. But at 53 I am done with them Will always love them and admire them.

That Chuck dude has died on that hill! I know nothing of trials and Grands, etc. My last Chessie was from Harger in Idaho. Think she is the last living "super dual" breeder of Show and Field or Dual whatevers?

Dog was a COMPLETE Dickhead. And possessed at the legendary "Chessie Traits". When I contacted the breeder at 6 months she replied "I breed all those traits out of my line" essentially telling me I was FakeNews.

Non stop randon dog fights vs Draht that he never won. Super bird possessive (fine with me...dog fights if another dog was present). Would sleep and guard bird piles for days. Pissed on everything. True Chessie. Somewhat admirable in a cringy way. He was what the Encyclopedia of Dogs said he should be.

Sure- they were Market Hunter bred/led dogs. Can they/will they pull 200+ birds a day? For sure.

They're simply not for everyone. I LOVE THEM, but the 50-60lb Sporty Labs are probably a better tool.

None of them are Versatile tho

 

[Jason Snyder]

My drahts will kill a cat in an instant. They will also remain in a down stay while a cat saunters by in front of them.

It’s all about training. They don’t get to just chase and or kill when they want.

 

[KurtR]

@KurtR Went back and re-read the majority of the thread....lol

I am a Die Hard Chessie guy. But at 53 I am done with them Will always love them and admire them.

That Chuck dude has died on that hill! I know nothing of trials and Grands, etc. My last Chessie was from Harger in Idaho. Think she is the last living "super dual" breeder of Show and Field or Dual whatevers?

Dog was a COMPLETE Dickhead. And possessed at the legendary "Chessie Traits". When I contacted the breeder at 6 months she replied "I breed all those traits out of my line" essentially telling me I was FakeNews.

Non stop randon dog fights vs Draht that he never won. Super bird possessive (fine with me...dog fights if another dog was present). Would sleep and guard bird piles for days. Pissed on everything. True Chessie. Somewhat admirable in a cringy way. He was what the Encyclopedia of Dogs said he should be.

Sure- they were Market Hunter bred/led dogs. Can they/will they pull 200+ birds a day? For sure.

They're simply not for everyone. I LOVE THEM, but the 50-60lb Sporty Labs are probably a better tool.

None of them are Versatile tho

haha i had to go back an check it out didnt even remember that. I still stand by what i said when it comes to straight up retriever trials and hunt tests labs rule the world. Black ones to be exact.

I like all dogs even the little ones i think every one of them has qualities that make them fun and cool.

Its fun having debates on which one is better thats how field trials got started but in the end the dogs get to do what they love and we get to hang out with fellow dog people.

 

[GuyMontag42]

My vote is for Boykins. These things are amazing.

 

[Quailchaser410]

I’ll put in my two scents. I have had 2 Deutsch Drahthaars. These dogs are the ultimate meat dog for the hardcore hunter who bow hunts, waterfowl’s, and bird hunts. They are not to be taken lightly as these dogs have too much drive for most people. They also have a cult following and those who mismanage the breed are known and not looked upon highly. My current draht would lay on the floor with my 10mo old all day and let her pull its ears and hair. She also smoked my wife’s family cat. All that to say, they are extreme in just about everything.

 

[Zak406]

I’ll put in my two scents. I have had 2 Deutsch Drahthaars. These dogs are the ultimate meat dog for the hardcore hunter who bow hunts, waterfowl’s, and bird hunts. They are not to be taken lightly as these dogs have too much drive for most people. They also have a cult following and those who mismanage the breed are known and not looked upon highly. My current draht would lay on the floor with my 10mo old all day and let her pull its ears and hair. She also smoked my wife’s family cat. All that to say, they are extreme in just about everything.

@Quailchaser410

Not to laugh but can you tell us the story about the cat and how that went over. I bet you were in the dog house. No pun intended

 

[KurtR]

Not a versatile dog and i would have lost the bet i didnt think my dog had it in him to kill a cat. Well last night he proved me wrong and delivered the damn thing to hand. Guess that will keep the damn cat from tearing up the garbage any more.

 

[lil' bear]

English cream golden retriever. Any dog will point with enough effort. And goldens are incredibly smart.

 

[BucksNBulls]

There are only 2 breeds constantly worth their salt as a do everything, Upland, Waterfowl, House Dog, Family Dog, Intruder alarm etc.

1. Lab
2. Chesapeake Bay Retriever (CBR) if you can handle one.

I have 4 Black males and 1 Yellow male at the moment.