Lab or Weimaraner??

[Birddog66]

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..

Personally, I think your general thinking is in the right direction. I currently have a gsp and wiem and have had labs in the past. The gsp can be taught to dove hunt, but their instincs are to be in the field hunting/pointing. They are known for their versatility. My gsp was a pointing machine before she turned 1yo, but it took some time, like 3yo, before she had the maturity and patience to sit with me in a dove field without being agitated. But thats just my dog, I know of gsp's that are very good dove dogs at a earlier age.

I think your decision depends on what you want the dog for. If the most important thing to you is dove hunting, the lab is probably your best bet. If you want a dog that can point/hunt/retrieve but doesnt specialize in retreiving maybe the gsp is a good choice. If you want a pretty dog that has an awesome personality but is high-maintenence and cant hunt for crud, go with the wiem.

[ducks-and-bucks]

I just talked with my vet right now while I was picking up my lab... she said about the same thing... the GSP are ulitmate quail dogs around here for pointing and flushing.. she said most of the big ranch iperations around use run them so she sees a lot of them... But she said as far as retrieving and dove and duck that the labs are way better hands down, from a good bloodline the lab is the retrieving machine over the others..... as far as the weimeranar she said she hasnt seen one come in that isnt just a big ol happy cuddly goofy PET.... so dont bother with the weimer if I wanted a true work dog....

Basically she said exacly what I was thinking. I have to have the retrieving part of a dog for what I do.... pointing isnt going to do anything for me... so it looks like im already in the lab business and gonna be looking for another..

[Cable]

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

This is the truth. My dad had one growing up. His dad got rid of Willard because ol Willard couldn't stay out of trouble.

Lab is the most versatile breed out there from hunting to house dog. GSP's are nice but they are alot more high strung than a lab. My sister in laws is a great dog, professionally trained and will point a covey. But he will run your kid over, jump on you and just has no off switch.

[hopedale]

I'm partial to the lab.

How ever the vizla maybe worth your time to check out.

Check out a friends dog

http://www.texastradingpost.com/Hunting/

[outlook8]

They are considered the only multi use bird dog there is...

REALLY??

A few other's come to mind...vizsla, drahthaar, weim, brittany, setter, griffon, etc...

[Anahuac]

Si uses a Poodle !!

[Ishi&Elvis]

I have a 10 year old Weimaraner. He points, he retrieves, he doesn't swim to birds as fast or with as much aggression as a Lab, but he gets there and gets it back to me. He's a great dog and when people drive up that he doesn't know they get the death stare from his cold amber eyes. They stay in their car till I walk out. He has tracked down deer for friends and does exactly what he was bred to do in Germany, point, trail, retrieve and protect. I love Jack and wouldn't trade him for anything. He may not like cold water but I don't know too many dogs that do. You can't go wrong with any of the breeds you are thinking about getting. It's really up to you as the trainer and what you want out of them. The breeder is a big key also. Are they breeding for trialing or just a guy who has some dogs. Find one you like, love on them, train them slowly but surely and be patient with them. I'll be sad when Jack goes, but I'll buy another Weimar with no doubt.

[ducks-and-bucks]

The vizsla looks like a red weimeranar. ... lol. I like short haired dog... I wish my labs hair stayed shorter... Id love to see how some of these other breeds work compared to a lab. But when it comes down to it I just think its very hard to beat a lab from a really good championship blood line. I dont know where I can find lab pups that have really really good hunting genetics though... I guess the search and research is starting... Im very partial to the very light yellow to white color phase labs...

[Burntorange Bowhunter]

Lab - best all round dog there is IMO.

I hope you mean for hunting.

I just talked with my vet right now while I was picking up my lab... she said about the same thing... the GSP are ulitmate quail dogs around here for pointing and flushing.. she said most of the big ranch iperations around use run them so she sees a lot of them... But she said as far as retrieving and dove and duck that the labs are way better hands down, from a good bloodline the lab is the retrieving machine over the others..... as far as the weimeranar she said she hasnt seen one come in that isnt just a big ol happy cuddly goofy PET.... so dont bother with the weimer if I wanted a true work dog....

Basically she said exacly what I was thinking. I have to have the retrieving part of a dog for what I do.... pointing isnt going to do anything for me... so it looks like im already in the lab business and gonna be looking for another..

What exactly makes a vet a breed specialist? They know about health and sickness, not which breeds are best for what.

This is the truth. My dad had one growing up. His dad got rid of Willard because ol Willard couldn't stay out of trouble.

Lab is the most versatile breed out there from hunting to house dog. GSP's are nice but they are alot more high strung than a lab. My sister in laws is a great dog, professionally trained and will point a covey. But he will run your kid over, jump on you and just has no off switch.

Meh, they are good dogs but the German Shepherd Dog is known worldwide as the most versatile breed. No, they are not great hunting dogs but that is merely one thing. The lab wins in retrieving but the GSD will dominate in Schutzhund, police work, war dog, SAR, personal protection, guard dog, herding.

[JBJTX81]

http://www.cedarwoodgundogs.com/

These are the best bird dogs. So surprised they are not more popular.

[ofishil]

I was trying to decide between a weimerimer or a german shorthair for a while then I came across someone selling 1/2 weimer and 1/2 german shorthair. It made my decision a little easier so I went with one of those pups. Shes turned out great so far.

[don_hunner]

Lab for sure.

[ofishil]

1/2 weimer and 1/2 gsp

[Lungbustr]

For what you mentioned lab. Labs have more than enough energy if from the right bloodline, like field trial dogs. If you want a dog that will hunt anything get a Deutsch Drahthaar.