Lab or Weimaraner??

[ducks-and-bucks]

I have a lab now and I have been nothing but happy with her... She is 10 years old now though and I am thinking about getting another pup of some sort to start training again for bird hunting. (Dove mainly, may see some duck hunts)..

Which breed do yall think is better? I am wondering if I should keep with my lab deal or get a weimaraner to work with. I like the shorter hair and energy of the weimar, but not sure how good of a retriever they make or if they are more of a pointer type for quail... What do you fellers that know more than me think?

[3DW5]

Stick with the Lab, I raised Weimars for six years growing up and they are not the hunting dogs Lab's are. Now that being said, I now have a GSP and he is better than both of these choices... But for sure the Lab over the Weimar.

[3DW5]

Got my GSP from here in case you are intrested...

http://www.chetasgermanshorthairedpointers.com/

[Blue Tick]

I have a lab for duck hunting that is full or pure energy and go. That said, we also have a weim for the wife's pet and that's what she is, a big ol pet. Great with the kids. Never hunted with one, but I know the weim does not like the cold or cold water.

[Shoreman]

A lot depends on the individual dog and if you are looking for more of a pointer vs a retriever. I'm on my 2nd weim and wouldn't have traded either one. They both love water and have retrieved as well as I have needed. The weims will have "bird dog" energy that you will need to be prepared for.

[Burntorange Bowhunter]

It is not always the breed but more the lines which produce good or bad dogs. A top bred Weim will out perform a backyard bred Lab.....or vice versa.

[ducks-and-bucks]

Those german shorthair pointers are pretty too. I dont know anything about them though... are they way more bird dog/retriever than a lab?

[ducks-and-bucks]

I guess im interested in all three now... I know I need to get a good bloodline either way I go... I know labs well, but not the weimers and SHP breeds...

[3DW5]

Those german shorthair pointers are pretty too. I dont know anything about them though... are they way more bird dog/retriever than a lab?

They are considered the only multi use bird dog there is... My breeder was all about quail, however she had lots of hunters she said who bought them for ducks...

[Blue Tick]

They are considered the only multi use bird dog there is... My breeder was all about quail, however she had lots of hunters she said who bought them for ducks...

I've never seen anyone in the field with a GSP hunting ducks. There's always a 1st though. If I were strictly a quail/upland bird hunter my choice would be GSP. But to me, the best of both worlds is the Lab. Bloodlines are the most important. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

[ducks-and-bucks]

I've never seen anyone in the field with a GSP hunting ducks. There's always a 1st though. If I were strictly a quail/upland bird hunter my choice would be GSP. But to me, the best of both worlds is the Lab. Bloodlines are the most important. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

Thats what I was guessing too was the GSP would be much more of a pointer/ultimate quail dog, but not a heel by my side and watch birds fall and retreive them type dog... And I see the weimers as a full of energy goofy fun dog with lots of personality but harder to train...

From the hunting popularity standpoint the GSP is always seen on quail hunts, while the lab is what you always see on dove and duck hunts. I dont really recall a weimer being used nearly as much for anything but a pet most of the time...

Like I said I know nothing about a GSP though to make a conclusion.. hopefully more will chime in..

[Scotsman 1]

Lab - best all round dog there is IMO.

[3DW5]

AKC Meet the Breeds®
A versatile hunter and all-purpose gun dog, the German Shorthaired Pointer possesses keen scenting power and high intelligence. The breed is proficient with many different types of game and sport, including trailing, retrieving, and pointing pheasant, quail, grouse, waterfowl, raccoons, possum, and even deer. A medium-sized breed, he has an aristocratic bearing and can be solid liver or liver and white in color.

Can you tell im all in for the GSP....

[Texas8point]

Lab for sure...... both can be destructive, but the Weimaraner does it at a constant 100mph

[Shane]

There are a lot of breeds that are bred to be versatile dogs, not just GSPs. If I were a duck hunter, I'd want a Lab though. They're built for water. They're big enough to handle ducks with ease, and they'll retrieve dove too. I'm not a duck hunter though, so when I get my next dog it will be a Weimaraner or a GSP from a good hunting dog breeder.