Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Al Dogs GSP or Labrador?

Since I got out of hog hunting with dogs I’ve really missed working with dogs so I’m tossing around the idea of getting a pup to train for Blood Trailing, a few Wood Duck hunts, and the occasional Dove hunt. I’ve been around Gsp for hogs and dove but not ducks. Im leaning that direction but was wondering what the opinion of some of the Aldeer experts was on them for Ducks.
Or is the safe bet to go with a lab?

I've had 3 GSP'S and several Labs and a couple GWP. By far the GWP is better than both. They're the number 1
all around gun dog for a reason. They don't shed much and easier to train.

My GSP would point every bird there is but he was no duck dog. Based on my experience I would go a different route.

Go with a black lab.i was in the same situation you are in now.i have had hunting dogs since I was a teenager and had hog dogs for years.i finally give it up one day. I went a couple of years with no dog.i decided to get me a lab to retrieve the few wood ducks that I killed.i absolutely love this dog now 5 years later.i hunt doves,ducks and have worked with her on trailing bloody deer,however never actually put her on one shot.i have ran hunt test and that can be alot of fun as well. Go with someone who actually has some good dogs ,just don't get a pup off of Facebook market place. I suggest getting one from a hunt test dog.i like the small athletic ones not the big 100 pounnders.if you look at the great ones at the hunt test,95 percent are smaller blk labs.some will argue this but trust me,if they can run hunt test on a high level you can train them to hunt or whatever you want.yes,there are good dogs that come from everywhere but I have always wanted to start with a good bloodline. Just my 2 cents.

Used my black lab this past weekend in Iowa for pheasants in the morning and ducks/ geese in the evening. She loved every minute. I will say a longer legged dog woulda been better for the pheasant cover we were busting through. Don’t see to many GSP in duck holes.

Hunted with several different breeds Labs, Boykin, GWP, Golden Retriever and small Muensterlander. Judged even more breeds at hunt tests. Spinone, wirehair, water spaniel, GSP, ect. Lab is hands down my favorite. If you backed me into a corner and made me choose another breed it would be a tossup between a red field trial Golden or a GWP. Truth is you can by a well bred Lab puppy for a fraction of the cost of any of the other breeds.

Will the dog also be a pet/family dog? Or will it be kept in the kennel away from everyone?

I would go with a British lab. They typically have great noses, they usually trail a little slower so they don’t overrun the trail often. They are calmer than American lines so they make better pets usually. Both are great for ducks, but British lines are not as hard charging usually. British lines usually are easier to create better blind manners as well. If it was me, I would stay away from those high energy GSPs unless you were going to point with it. Just my .02

British lab..

I have raised them for years… great dogs

Can teach them whatever you want them to do as long as you are willing to put in the time.

Either could be trained to do what you want them to do. I've had both and will have more of both, but I will say that a lab sounds better for what you are wanting to do. Good labs come into the world wanting to retrieve. Good pointers come into the world wanting to point birds. Both have a nose that will work very well for tracking blood.

Have had both, love my GSP but she doesn’t hold a candle to the lab I had. She is good at whatever for about 5 minutes then she forgets what she is supposed to be doing and is off on her own adventure. I’m sure if you have a ton of time and an absolute abundance of patience you could make a GSP incredible at whatever.

For 10 years I never lost a dove or duck with my lab, she was incredible. My next dog will be another lab

Labs all day

My gsp loves tracking.

Much calmer breed for certain. Excellent noses as a general observation, and typically more task focused.

Patience and time. This makes the dog. There is no replacement for opportunity to learn and focused training. It takes 3 years in a lab to see the daylight at the end of the tunnel if you want to say you have one fully trained and out of the adolescent stage.

Decided on a Lab. Hopefully “Bear” will make a good all around dog if these two don’t spoil him too bad.

You could sell that pic to the picture frame people.

I’ve trained a few dogs over the years and still don’t know what I’m doing, but this I know for sure. Bear is gonna be rotten and well loved by those two. Well don’t Bayedup.

Bear is setting there thinking "Now which gift am I going to tear open first?"

All I've ever owned is black labs, but we're getting the kids a female boykin puppy for Christmas. I'm a little nervous about making the change, but I've been around both parents and they're great dogs.

Did you have English or American labs?