German pointer. Any good?

kermitpwee

Right folks my uncle is looking for a GSP after his water spaniel passed away, we have springers and cockers but know nothing abvout pointing dogs. He still has a good cocker so he is thinking about a german pointer. He was thinking maybe a dog 10months to 3 years. We mainly shoot woodcock so would they be any good? He has a fully trained cocker that is the best woodcock dog I have ever seen but he is looking for a bit of variety. What would we look out for in a trial run?

Thanks
Peter

dodderangler

kermitpwee wrote: »

Right folks my uncle is looking for a GSP after his water spaniel passed away, we have springers and cockers but know nothing abvout pointing dogs. He still has a good cocker so he is thinking about a german pointer. He was thinking maybe a dog 10months to 3 years. We mainly shoot woodcock so would they be any good? He has a fully trained cocker that is the best woodcock dog I have ever seen but he is looking for a bit of variety. What would we look out for in a trial run?

Thanks
Peter

ive had springers and shorthair german pointers and the pointers were without doubt best overall working dog. their pretty determined when in the field. great for all game birds snipe woodcock pheasant an ive never gone for grouse but was told good dogs for them. just keep them away from hares they'll ruin the dog but all round great working dogs

kermitpwee

dodderangler wrote: »

ive had springers and shorthair german pointers and the pointers were without doubt best overall working dog. their pretty determined when in the field. great for all game birds snipe woodcock pheasant an ive never gone for grouse but was told good dogs for them. just keep them away from hares they'll ruin the dog but all round great working dogs

Thanks. What do you mean by determined? Are they more difficult to control then a springer?

deeksofdoom

German Pointers take longer to mature than a springer. You'll shoot woodcock over them, but there not as inclined to go into cover as a spaniel, I'ld prefer something like a springer for running drains and thick cover for woodcock.

DavyDee

I would rate very little above a GSP but if your running them on alot of cover go for a wirehaired! Just be careful where you buy it out of as there is alot of crap out there!

staghunter

german pointer will hunt heavy cover no bother if you start them at it at a good an early age.i have an english pointer that would hunt heavy cover all day long because he was put at it when he was young.dont let him hunt heavy cover to much though because he does get destroyed.your best bet would be a wirehaired german.

DavyDee

Also Wirehairs tend to work closer to you where as shorthairs love to range

Birdnuts

The French(who are mad for Woodcock as ye probably know) tend to use both Brittanny Spaniels and German pointers for this. The few I've met reckon they work very well together:)

dodderangler

kermitpwee wrote: »

Thanks. What do you mean by determined? Are they more difficult to control then a springer?

springers ive found are extremely hyper unlike the pointers. pointers are fairly quiet and once they get in a field its like a red light turns on and they know what to do in saying that the ones ive had and seen are from great backgrounds. ive worked with brilliant springers to but it seems to be more work involved in training them but again thats just my opinion im sure others lads that work with springers will give better advice but just saying i love pointers and would pick em over a springer anyday:cool:

kermitpwee

dodderangler wrote: »

springers ive found are extremely hyper unlike the pointers. pointers are fairly quiet and once they get in a field its like a red light turns on and they know what to do in saying that the ones ive had and seen are from great backgrounds. ive worked with brilliant springers to but it seems to be more work involved in training them but again thats just my opinion im sure others lads that work with springers will give better advice but just saying i love pointers and would pick em over a springer anyday:cool:

Thanks mate. I know springers inside out so we are going for another one again. The pointer will have to wait for another day, to anyone who is considering a springer get a good one and train him well or he will break your heart!

Thanks folks!

DavyDee

dodderangler wrote: »

springers ive found are extremely hyper unlike the pointers. pointers are fairly quiet and once they get in a field its like a red light turns on and they know what to do in saying that the ones ive had and seen are from great backgrounds. ive worked with brilliant springers to but it seems to be more work involved in training them but again thats just my opinion im sure others lads that work with springers will give better advice but just saying i love pointers and would pick em over a springer anyday:cool:

I dunno about them being easier trained. Personally I think it takes a german pointer 4 years to mature to be a fully rounded hunter and takes 3 times more time to train, but there is nothing in my opinion that comes close to a german pointer when they peak. Springers are far more responsive to training and a lot less head strong and tend to do anything to please, in my own experience owning and training both. I would have a personal preference for german pointers but if i was running a dog on heavy cover it would either be a wirehaired pointer or springer.

kermitpwee

DavyDee wrote: »

I dunno about them being easier trained. Personally I think it takes a german pointer 4 years to mature to be a fully rounded hunter and takes 3 times more time to train, but there is nothing in my opinion that comes close to a german pointer when they peak. Springers are far more responsive to training and a lot less head strong and tend to do anything to please, in my own experience owning and training both. I would have a personal preference for german pointers but if i was running a dog on heavy cover it would either be a wirehaired pointer or springer.

Cheers mate. Came across a nice springer anyway, pics to follow!

EPointer=Birdss

DavyDee wrote: »

I dunno about them being easier trained. Personally I think it takes a german pointer 4 years to mature to be a fully rounded hunter and takes 3 times more time to train, but there is nothing in my opinion that comes close to a german pointer when they peak. Springers are far more responsive to training and a lot less head strong and tend to do anything to please, in my own experience owning and training both. I would have a personal preference for german pointers but if i was running a dog on heavy cover it would either be a wirehaired pointer or springer.

I'd agree with this in pointers in general. They hunt a lot more independently so my theory that's why they're headstrong.

My fella is maturing a bit now at 3.5 & I tell ya it's a pleasure to have him out even around the house. He's like my 2nd in command & follows me like my shadow. It was a v v hard first 2 years though & we had out battles.
He was like a horse, he had to be broken but once he was he found his place & I wouldnt part with him for any money.
When the springer misses a dummy cast in the river he's there to make sure I don't lose it to the flow.
The springer then is extremely likable & always looking at ya for direction but was a piece of cake by comparison to train to reasonable hunting standard