BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

Byrdofprey · Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 51 Location: Pocatello, ID

Just got into upland bird hunting this year. Eight pheasants so far without a dog. Boy am I hooked. Anyway, does anyone have any recommendations where to get a good bird dog. So far Im leaning towards Brittanys. I would like to get a "started" dog. I live in the Pocatello, Id area. It doesnt need to be "champion" lines. Probably would cost to much. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys. ::-k

redrider · Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 2578 Location: NE Kansas

I always liked hunting behind a Vizsla or a German Shorthair :yes:

Byrdofprey · Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 51 Location: Pocatello, ID

Never heard of a Vizsla. Shows how much I need to learn. I watched a guy work his German Shorthair once. Saw him get a pheasant. Thanks.

redrider · Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 2578 Location: NE Kansas

Here's a little info:

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/vizsla.htm

fuzzybear · Joined: 31 Mar 2004 Posts: 1377 Location: Bend, Oregon

When I had dogs. I had a Brittany and a Short hair. Both were excellent choices for upland game. Quail, Chuckar and Pheasant. Great flushers. The Brittany moved a tad bit faster and was harder to keep focused. Both were males.

Don Fischer · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 2184 Location: Antelope, Ore

When your looking for a dog, just be careful of pedigree's with a bunch of show champions in them. the only place it might not matter is in Brittany's. But make sure there's some field champions there also. Vizsla's are very nice dogs but don't see a lot of the out and around. Don't know why, the ones I have seem were much more suited to foot hunter's than most breed's. A big running Vizsla my go 100yds to the front. In rare cases more. The best I've seem were some owned by a lady out of western wash, they had a range of several hundred yds.

Byrdofprey · Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 51 Location: Pocatello, ID

Thanks alot guys. Gonna do some more research. Cant wait to get me buddy.

haiku_rodney · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 100 Location: Maui, Hawaii

I have had Brittanys and Springers. I think my selection would be in part based upon the type of cover I hunted. If I were to hunt really thick cover of high grass, I would go with a flusher like a Springer rather than a pointer like the Brittany.

Another consideration is if you are going to also hunt waterfowl. My Springer was trained for blinds and water retrieves as well as upland birds. When I lived in Washington State, I knew one hunter who used a Chesepeake for upland as well as waterfowl.

I am very partial to Spaniels. This is primarily because for me they are full time companions at home who hunt with me in the fall. A good friend once told me that Labs are good friends but Spaniels are buddies.

Byrdofprey · Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 51 Location: Pocatello, ID

I will be hunting a little of both, thick cover/tall grass and a little bit of cover thats not so thick. I had a few people tell that Springers can get a little tempermental as they get older. Has anyone had that problem?

haiku_rodney · Joined: 03 May 2006 Posts: 100 Location: Maui, Hawaii

I got my Springer when he was middle aged. I am not clear what people are referring to when they say "temperamental". My Springer was very attached to me and very possesive of the relationship. Any birds shot he would bring to me. I am no dog expert, but, the issue of temperament is something I would check into when I contacted a breeder.

One other thing, my Springer was a really tough dog! The cover he would go through all day without a problem always amazed me. It definitely saved me from getting worn out and beat up.

AustinCo · Joined: 26 Oct 2006 Posts: 52 Location: Austin Colorado

Byrdofprey

Did you say you are new to upland bird hunting? Just wanted to make sure. If you are new to the sport of upland I would recommend a good calm lab. These dogs hunt tight with you and they are easier to control than alot of high energy breeds. I've hunted behind brits, shorthairs, spaniels and labs and really enjoy having the labs. They are close enough that they clue you in when they get birdy. The pointing breeds are far ranging and have found that people that don't have alot of field experience seem to get uptight about the space between the hunter and dog. I've been hunting upland birds for the last 30 + years and have not found a better dog then labs. I like to call them SUD's Sport Utility Dogs. Their value as a house mate is great also, calm at home and good pets.

My opinion only for what it's worth!

Byrdofprey · Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 51 Location: Pocatello, ID

Thanks Austin. Yea, hunting behind my buddys brit is driving me crazy. She seems like she is on speed on something and she is untrained. I used to have a black lab female before I got into upland hunting and when I took here on hikes she would go back and forth just a few yards in front of me. I loved her, but when I moved to Idaho I had to give her away. When Im out hunting pheasants I am always thinking she would have been great for this. I have been thinking about another lab but my buddy (by the way, he is only a 25 year old kid with an untrained brit) keeps trying to talk me out of a lab. Ive seen other hunters out there with labs so I am gonna rethink my situation about a lab. Hell, my lab wasnt even a full blooded lab. Oh yeah, I got my tenth pheasant today (without a dog). Season ends tomorrow around here.

AustinCo · Joined: 26 Oct 2006 Posts: 52 Location: Austin Colorado

Byrdofprey

Well now that your season is done what was your final bird count? Is waterfowl still on in your area? Another good reason for labs...you could be hunting waterfowl too. I've gone out for pheasants three times so far and have 6 birds. Not a bad average for public ground. The season here lasts until Jan 7 so I have a bit more time. I didn't have much time to write before but my labs hunt ptarm, grouse, quail, chukars, huns, pheasants and waterfowl. They took minimal training compared to a lot of other breeds and as long as you find a smaller lab they hold together well in the field. The bigger labs tend to break down in the front shoulders after a hard day of hunting. Because of their popularity it is real important to find a well established reputable breeder. The lab breed is still one of the more popular breeds and there are quite a few backyard breeders that don't get the sire and dams tested for hips, eyes and elbows. All for now.

Byrdofprey · Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 51 Location: Pocatello, ID

Pheasant season is done here. Got ten and hunted hard and frequently (without dogs). What do you mean "smaller" lab. I have been thinking about getting a female black lab. Not sure if Im gonna be to concerned about "breeders" , just as long as she is gonna be a lifelong companian, that"ll be fine with me. I hope the rest will come naturally to her out in the field.

Don Fischer · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 2184 Location: Antelope, Ore

Byrdofprey wrote: Pheasant season is done here. Got ten and hunted hard and frequently (without dogs). What do you mean "smaller" lab. I have been thinking about getting a female black lab. Not sure if Im gonna be to concerned about "breeders" , just as long as she is gonna be a lifelong companian, that"ll be fine with me. I hope the rest will come naturally to her out in the field.

In most of the hunting breed's, show people have taken the breed's and bred them bigger. What happen's is that the dog's end up carrying around to much weight on their feet, hip's and shoulder's and tend to sore up on a long day. The field type dog's are usually smaller boned and lighter with better pads on their feet.

But whatever you get, there's one thing a must"

That is one beautiful nose huh? It can only be found on a pointing dog! :yes: