I think that totally depends on what you plan on doing with the dog. If you're looking for a dog that will do it all, my vote… German Wirehaired Pointer. They have longer hair than a GSP and actually have two coats similar to a lab for cold weather water retrieves, etc. And what's cooler than a dog with a beard? I understand that there are lots of good labs out there, but I've never understood the fascination with them as the best all-around dog. The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association doesn't have any lab contestants. If they were the best dogs ever, they wouldn't have to crossbreed them with pointers.
I've never really been a lab guy, they are okay dogs and lots of people I know have and love them. I've been around a lot of them and have never met one that I was really fascinated by. I have three mixed labs, I think mixed with pointer, the yseem to be good dogs but aren't as smart as my weimaraner, nor as trainable.
I totally agree, I've seen lots of good labs but none that reeeeeeallly impressed me, especially when it comes to upland birds.
I love my wirehaired pointer. He hasn't been out hunting but shows great potential. My gf's dad has 3 and they're a blast to watch work. Mine is indoors most of the time and does just fine. We take him to the dog park or out on the trails several times a week though.
We've been having fun back here in IL. My dog is doing great considering little to no training with multiple points and my gf's dads dogs have been doing awesome as always. Got our limit this morning
My GSP lab mix is the perfect bird dog IMHO. He can point flush and retrieve and is great in the duck blind Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
