New dog dilemma

alan86

Lads I have a question for anyone who has owned pointing/ setting breeds. I have always had springers and I couldn't fault them but with my dog nearing retirement as this will be her last season I would think with her nearly 12 it's time to pick up a pup. I'm toying with the idea of getting a pointing/ setting breed instead of a springer.

For people who have had both pointing dogs and spaniels is there much of a difference is training, temperament etc.?

Im living in North cork so alot of the ground I hunt would be a mix of stubbles, woodland and ditches in green fields. I'm wondering are pointing/setting breads seen as all rounders the same way as springers are?

Eddie B

We had German and English pointers, as well as setters down through the years. Germans are more of an all rounder, compared to the others, although you can get the odd English pointer/ setter breeds that make good all rounders.

I really like a good German pointer. Good on land and water. Good retriever, and is not afraid of heavy cover

alan86

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118128556#Comment_118128556

Thanks Eddie, it's funny that you say you really like the German pointer because that's exactly the breed I'm most keen on. Do you know if there's much of a difference between the wire and smooth hair German pointer?

Eddie B

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118129048#Comment_118129048

Other might have a different opinion, but for me, the wire haired pointers tend to be used more for wildfowling, and the short hair more for pheasants. Saying that, a good one of either breed, can be a great dog in any situation. Personally, my father had a short-haired bitch, that was the best all rounder I've ever seen. I could never reproduce his nack of breeding top gun dogs lol

alan86

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118130352#Comment_118130352

Thanks Eddie