Luke,

In addition to non-hunting websites (and there are some really good ones on breeds), I recommend you go to www.versatiledogs.com and to www.gundogforum.com to look over information on a variety of breeds.  Labs are fantastic retrievers, but there are some superb versatile breeds out there as well.  Some do not handle the cold weather as well as others, but there are all kinds of options and surely you can find a dog that suits your needs.

My pup, Arrow, is a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.  I wanted a pointing dog for upland birds but also one that would retrieve doves, ducks, etc.  (plus tracking wounded deer).  He has a wirecoat, which means he can handle very cold temps, too.

An ESS is a wonderful choice, one that I strongly considered, but is a flushing dog rather than a pointing dog and far less versatile.  Plus they shed much more than the breed I selected.  My recommendation is to research the various characteristics of the versatile breeds and you'll surely find something you like. 

What would be the ideal characteristics of the breed you choose?  What kinds of hunting do you want the dog to do?  Once I had my wish list, I compared it to the breeds out there and pretty soon I knew that the WPG was the one for our family.

"Life's too short to hunt with a beardless dog . . ."

A Wirehaired Pointing Griffon sounds like it will do exactly what I am looking for. I will look more into the breed. Thanks for the info. Do you have a friend that breeds them or was your experience positive with whoever you got Arrow from?

check into the brittany and the german shorthaird pointer, I've had both and both were very versatile.

I've looked into the German Shorthaired Pointer quite a bit but many people I talked to said that they were not very good for waterfowl, that they were almost strictly upland game dogs. What was your experience? This would actually be my first choice if they truly are versatile.

I would also suggest the possibility of a britt but I don't know how good they are with waterfowl (they'll do it, but it may be a weak point, not sure).  For me they shed too much and I want a tighter coat to reduce the hassles of burrs while hunting upland birds.  Still there are some fantastic versatile breeds out there and something will fit you great.

Though I am biased and will say griffs are awesome, the worst thing about a WPG is finding one.  Like all breeds, there are your "show" lines and your true hunting lines -- dogs are very different depending on the type of breeding.  I found a couple of good breeders in Arkansas, but I went with a pup out of an exceptional breeding in Wisconsin.  I can give you more detail if you like -- just email me directly.

Another option is a German Wirehaired Pointer.  GWPs look very similar to WPGs, though slightly larger and they shed more.  Griffons were used in developing GWPs (there are american vs import lines within that breed but I won't take time to elaborate -- if you see someone talking about DDs or Draathars, they are the import standard lines and GWPs are the US lines).  You can find GWPs much easier and I have an East TX contact for you if that interests you.  They are easier to find, cheaper, and excellent, versatile hunters.  My Brother-in-law owns two DDs and loves them.  They have the wirecoat and are good at most anything but still good with kids.  Caution: NOT GOOD WITH CATS.  :-)

My opinion is to do your homework and find what you want.  It may take additional time to get the right breeding, but it will be worth it if you take your time and get what will meet your needs.  You'll have the dog for ten or more years, so get what you want!  Let me know if you want more info on something specific. 

"Life's too short to hunt with a beardless dog . . ."

Quote:   Caution: NOT GOOD WITH CATS.  :-)

Thats a plus in their favor! :-)

"A country boy will survive"

I agree with you Don that is a plus!

Luke,

After posting the pic of my nephew with his DD, it got me thinking about this thread.  Fritz is a "slick" coated draahthaar, meaning he is not within breeding standards.  That enabled my BIL to get Fritz for about $200 I believe, but he had to contract to have Fritz neutered by six months old.  His other DD, Ace, is within the standard and a great dog, too, but he was much more expensive.  Frankly, Fritz is more intense on point, more cooperative on retrieves, and generally a better overall gun dog (due in part to the fact that he is older than Ace, just to be fair) -- couldn't get a better versatile for less money, IMO.

If you were willing to go that route, a slick coated DD would be an extremely fine gun dog at a fraction of the normal cost.  I could get more info about that if you like.  Has your research led you in any certain direction yet?

"Life's too short to hunt with a beardless dog . . ."

Well I read up some about the WPG and really like them however like you mentioned they are fairly expensive and hard to find (but aren't most dogs that are really woth it?) I also am still liking the GSP after doing some more research about them. I'm going to look some stuff up about the draahthaar as that seems to be almost the best of both worlds a great dog at a great price and having to get him neutered would not be a big deal for me.

Plus, DDs look like WPGs!  :-)

Good luck in your search.  By taking your time, you'll find what you want -- keep us posted.

"Life's too short to hunt with a beardless dog . . ."

Big Texan,

I had a lab before and didn't have a very good experience (however that was probably that trainer not the dog). I just feel like everyone has labs and didn't want to the same dog that all my neighbors have. However I would agree that they are very versatile I went dove hunting a few weeks ago with a guy that had a lab and the dog was amazing. So I guess I'm not really against getting a lab I would just like to see what other options are out there besides labs and then make my decision based off what I know.

I have a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and an English Springer (Laverne and Shirley). I can tell you that the Chesapeake is a much tougher dog and will keep retrieving even after it dies. The Springer will retrieve, but is just a great flushing bird dog that will find the birds. Both work hard.

If what you want is a retriever, look at a Chessie, but you need to know upfront that they are much harder, tougher dogs than a lab, and take longer to train on the front end, but they don't need the constant "refresher" training once they learn something. Also, you need to know that they are one man or one family dogs, and are intensely loyal to their master.

Best duck hunting dog I have ever owned.

Keep yer eyes peeled!

Chessie, for sure, if you want a retreiver.  I have always raised redbone hounds, and heard they make excellent water dogs.  Doubt if they can surpass a chesapeake, though. Never tried it, as I have usually owned a retriever for that.

Hey Luke, did you ever decide? Have you gotten a dog yet?

No I haven't gotten a dog yet. I'm leaning towards a GSP but I'm still not 100% sure. There are just so many breeds that all have their advantages it is really hard to pick.

You really have to narrow down what you beleive the majority of your hunting needs will be. If you hunt mostly upland game, a GSP or English Pointer or Setter is a good choice. If you hunt waterfowl and dove, some type of retriever is best for that type of work. I settled on two dogs because I tend to get out in the field more than the average guy.

If I were you, I would really take a realistic look at what type of hunting you think you will have the most access to for the next 10 years. I say 10 because that is the effective hunting age of most dogs.

Good luck, and if I can give you any advice, it would be to take your time.

Keep yer eyes peeled!

I second what duckwhacker said -- take your time, do your homework, and select the breed that most fits your wish list. 

Additionally, spend the time (and money) needed to get a quality pup from a good breeder.  While they are more expensive, you up your chances of getting what you want from a well-bred litter.  You also generally get health guarantees and some peace of mind in that regard.  Lots of good GSPs out there and even from top lines and top breeders the pups are pretty affordable.  Homework is critical, though.  I know a few folks who did some homework but in the end did not do enough research.  They got decent dogs but over time realized they could have got a top shelf pup for the same or even less money.  Oh, and don't be afraid to expand your search for breeders beyond TX if the breed you decide on is rare around here.

Takes some effort, but the research phase is fun and worthwhile.  Keep us posted!

"Life's too short to hunt with a beardless dog . . ."