Try the dog forum, :thumbsup:

 

Oh! Hahahah, my bad, good cal didn't even think about that.

 

LAB!!!! My black lab Jade is great for ducks, and will stay close and flush roosters for me with ease. Just takes a little training. :thumbsup:

 

I do love the labs-just torn!!!!

 

I got a shorthair that I will use for both. She will be fine for the early season for sure, not to sure how it'll go durring the late season though. She won't be ready for duck till next season, shes still a pup.

 

drahthaars are the way to go :thumbsup:

 

GSP's are great all around dogs. I'd probably say they are my first choice for all around hunting. Not the best dog if you have babies or if your buddies like to walk right in your house. My friends dogs easily double as gaurd dogs and have chased me right back into my truck.

 

Always put a VEST on your dog when the water gets frigid, no matter what breed He/She is!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Buddy's shorthair will swim in icy, water. The best dog all around hands down. Sleeps in your lap, pulls a sled for his grandkids in the winter.

My shorthairs have no urge to retrieve at all, and hate the water.

 

DO NOT get a shorthair if you want it to retrieve ducks in cold water. They don't have the coats/fat to withstand cold temps and you have a good chance of killing one. At the very least it's abuse. You can hunt them in the early season when water's warm but not after that. Neoprene vests also aren't the answer either. Look at wirehairs, labs, goldens, small munsterlanders, springers, or anything else that can handle colder weather better. By the way, my pheasant dog is a shorthair and she's an incredible dog, but I don't ever take her out for ducks in the cold.

 

DO NOT get a shorthair if you want it to retrieve ducks in cold water. They don't have the coats/fat to withstand cold temps and you have a good chance of killing one. At the very least it's abuse. You can hunt them in the early season when water's warm but not after that. Neoprene vests also aren't the answer either. Look at wirehairs, labs, goldens, small munsterlanders, springers, or anything else that can handle colder weather better. By the way, my pheasant dog is a shorthair and she's an incredible dog, but I don't ever take her out for ducks in the cold.

As the owner of labs and GSPs, I can't agree more. This is one of those things where you want the right tool for the job, and while my GSPs will do water retrieves, they ARE NOT built for the cold and icy water.

I love my GSPs and they can handle the cold of an upland hunt because they are on the move constantly, but to have a GSP make a water retrieve and then sit still is abuse.

They have very short, thin coats that are designed to throw off heat, not hold it. With these dogs, if you are cold, so are they. So, strip off the waders and warm clothes, get wet and sit still. You will be just as comfortable as a GSP.

If you want to hunt ducks, get the right tool, and there are some great tools out there. Maybe a lab!!! :thumbsup:

 

Couldnt agree more, I have a GSP also and he has been to Iowa, South Dakota, Illinois, Texas, and Kansas hunting upland. Some hunts have been below freezing but he does great because he is always moving. I have never taken him waterfowling though and he is the only dog I have. One reason, he is not steady enough for ducks, wont sit still. Also, he couldnt handle the water temps. He would be miserable the whole time and I wouldnt put him through that. If you are down on the Gulf and want to hunt one with 65 degree waters thats fine, but other than that, go with a lab or something along those lines.