Hunting for a little information

[bmcox86]

Hey guys,

Im new here and just looking for a little information. I am about 6 months from buying a pup, so I am trying to do a little research.

I am looking into getting a dog that would be a good gun dog, will be hunting alot of ducks but also hunt land birds on occasion. I have been looking at two breeds, the boykin Spaniel and German Shorthair Pointer. I have spent alot of time with GSPs but have only met a few boykins. I would like something that will be a good family dog but also good in the field and on a boat. I am not set on either one of these breeds so any other suggestions are appreciated.

Can anyone give me any suggestions/comments/etc.. about these breeds. Just trying to get any background/concerns before I decide on a breed and start looking for a breeder. I live in the South East along the coast, am in the Coast Guard so I move around every few years if that helps.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[bean1031]

How about a labrador or golden retriever. Both great duck dogs and everyone we have had of either one has turned out to be a great pheasent/dove/grouse/quail dog.

[Cajun Casey]

+1 on a Labrador. Boykins are sweet little flushers/retrievers, but the hair requires some management and they are rather small for upland.

[mcbosco]

One of my partners is married to a woman from "proper" South Carolina stock and her family has two Boykins. He has shown me some home videos of the two out in the marshes. They are absolutely crazy retrievers and swimmers and fit it well in the family. They are also known for being very heat tolerant.

This family clips the dogs in summer but even they say it results in a wavy coat and admit its the wrong thing to do.

[Greg Jennings]

Very few labs will handle quail hunting duties in the Southeast. Too hot and humid.

Boykins are wonderful little dogs. They are flushers.

GSPs are larger than Boykins. They are pointing dogs. It is very easy to find a good GSP.

Do you quail hunt with friends? What kind of dog do they have?

Greg J

[Don]

Don't know where your from. From the south, a GSP would do. Boykins were developed in the south just for duck hunting from boats. They call it "the dog that doesn't rock the boat". If it were me I'd take the Boykin. From your post it sound like you are going to do a lot more ducks than upland. If your in a colder state, the Boykin has a better coat for going into cold water. A GSP will go but I'd bet on the Boykin going the most in the cold. If most your shooting were upland, I'd say GSP. As for labs, the one's I've had shed quite a bit, particularly in the spring when massive amounts of hair came off. When they shed that undercoat you get a lot of hair.

[mcbosco]

I emailed my partner. He is in SC for the holidays with his inlaws. I will PM some breeder recs.

[Cajun Casey]

Nothing wrong with a Chessie for water, either.

[mcbosco]

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Nothing wrong with a Chessie for water, either.

Nothing wrong with a Spinone for water work either. Chessies are not for everyone, tough dog and maybe too tough in a family situation.

[Greg Jennings]

...and I'd really like to see the chessie that will handle quail hunting in Southeastern heat and humidity. The man said, ducks *and* upland. In the South, upland means quail and woodcock.

There is a dang good reason that people do not quail hunt with labs and chessies in the deep south. They simply are not bred for the heat and humidity.

GSP would be great if you want to hunt with a pointing dog, the Boykin great if you want to hunt over a flusher. Another breed that you might want to consider is a GWP.

[Benny]

It's very important to consider your climate. I live in Oregon, and in the VERY early season I'll send my shorthair after ducks, but right now its 14 degrees back home and I'm sure the water isn't much warmer. I wouldn't send a GSP out in cold water-cold weather situations.
+2 on the lab. also some of the best family dogs I've ever met.

[smoothbean]

I would think either would be great. I think the main thing to look at would will you be doing more of upland or waterfowl hunting and would you rather upland hunt with a flusher or a pointer. Another factor is size, will it be an indoor dog or outdoor dog. Is smaller better or does it relly not matter.One more thing would be do you want a puppy or a started or finished dog. A puppy may be cheaper but not necessarily be the best deal. It takes alot of time, money(for birds etc.) and training knowledge to get a dog ready for hunting/ retrieving. Also how far are you wanting to travel to get your new companion. I have some contacts in North Carolina and Indiana for Boykins and also know several people that have GSP's if you need some help with contacts.

[bmcox86]

thanks for all the suggestions, im taking it all in since there is alot.

to answer some of the questions;

my friends that i hunt quail and (some)woodcock with all have GSP, which I like they have good personalites but they have a ton of energy and I dont know if I can handle that when there not being hunting, may be taking them running with me to wear them out but Id have to see how thatd work.

I will be mostly duck hunting in sc/alabama and lousiana depending on where i go next. i hunt quail when the fish arent biting and i can gather up some friends.

I love labs but the ones ive been around have alot of hip problems and arent very good in the heat like some of you pointed out.

I would like to get a pup and train him but I relize a started dog would be the best for my situation and would be willing to spend the extra money for that.

Please keep any suggestions coming

[Ryman Gun Dog]

bmcox86,
The men are definitely giving you some good advise, we have had both dogs here in our Pa mountains, they are both great animals. I love the Boykins
way of retrieving and they can also make a great Great flushing Grouse dog, in fact we hunted the GSP and the Boykin together most of the time, the Boykin can retrieve where the GSP can't go, in fact may of the southern plantations use them for retrieving every Quail that is shot over their pointers. Now for the bad news, Boykins have some major health problems today, make sure you investigate the breeder and if the breeder has an HD problem in his kennel, eliminate them from your prospective purchase list. The real German GSP is a fantastic dog and worthy of his masters respect & love. We just lost our KS German Shorthair this past fall, she was 18 years old and one of our very best Grouse finders, especially when the birds were under the snow. Both dogs are fantastic animals, Boykins are full of energy all the time, mom may
have her hands full with the Spaniel in the house, however a better boat dog you will never ever own. Because you are going to move around so much during your career,
either dog will fill your bill depending on where you are stationed. If it were me I would own them both, course I own 6 Grouse dogs of differing breeds most all the time.
RGD/Dave

[bmcox86]

thanks for all the help, im still about 6 months from putting a depoist down, just waiting to find out where im going next. I hope to eventually own both. but one will have to do for the time being, fiance did see a nice gsp in the humane society when she was in south dakota for christmas, just a little to far to travel with her though.

[AzDoggin]

You might as well add a Pudelpointer to your research list. They are a do-it-all versatile dog that can hunt birds for you and retrieve your ducks as well. I've heard of several that do fine in the heat, and fortunately, they seem to be a very healthy breed. They are supposedly a very biddable breed that does well in the house as well. I'm not familiar with the Boykin, but the GSP can do the jobs you are wanting as well. I'd suggest a DD, but they don't do as well in the heat as the PP or the GSP. Be sure to ask the breeder how his dogs do in the heat. There are some lines within breeds that do better than others.

Good luck. These are exciting times - I'm about 6 months out and contemplating the same decisions you are. It's about time to get on a waiting list for a well-bred dog. 8 weeks after conception to whelp, 8 weeks after whelp to take home. Pups taken home in June are bred in February.